More Than A Number

Marking its introduction to the motion comic field, Marvel Comics (noted for characters such as Spider-Man and the X-Men) will debut the first episode of their first motion comic, Spider-Woman, on iTunes this Wednesday.

Motion comics notably began with DC’s Watchmen motions comic and Stan Lee’s original series Time Jumper. However, the Spider-Woman serial will mark the first time that the Marvel Comics Studio has entered this field. The story by Brian Bendis with art by Alex Maleev will explore the return of Spider-Woman altar ego Jessica Drew to Earth where she will have to go about finding the life that she lost when she has been previously kidnapped during the “Secret Invasion” event.

The story, occurring within continuity, will have a new episode released every week. Right now, Marvel has slated five different episodes to premier approximately a day before the print version of Spider-Woman (also headed by Bendis and Maleev) hits the shelves. The online version will have a teaser price of $1 on iTunes for the first two weeks. All subsequent episodes will carry a $2 price tag.

Also in the works for the Marvel Motion Comics is a six- part series entitled “Gifted” from the continuity of Astonishing X-Men headed by Joss Whedon (of Buffy: the Vampire Slayer fame) and John Cassady. Marvel expresses excitement over making comics that are meant for the motion comic style. Whether this format is here to stay, though, will depend on the popularity and overall profitability of these two offerings.