Didn't See That One Coming...

So, Marvel decides that they'd like to advertise on television with the advent of the Fantastic Four movie? Ok, really, who was the genius who thought of this one? I don't know for sure, but since David Gabriel, Marvel's Sales and Marketing Manager, pipes up, let's pick on him, shall we?

"There will be a new Marvel Adventures title closely related to upcoming blockbuster Fantastic Four film, due in theaters next summer. This title will be aggressively targeted as part of a multi-million dollar ad campaign for ToyBiz, which will, for the first time, showcase the Marvel Adventures comics as part of a nationally televised 60-second commercial spot. Last time this happened the result was Marvel's hugely successful G.I. Joe comic."

So the as-yet-unreleased Fantastic Four movie is going to be a blockbuster? Give me a break, people. Have you guys seen the preview trailers for this? The Thing is, like, 4' 9"!

Apparently, Toybiz has never heard of X2 or Spider-Man 2, have they? I mean, if you're going to pump that kind of money into advertising, trying to ride the coattails of a successful movie franchise, why not do it with commercially-proven successful Hollywood properties? If I'm not mistaken, both of those made approximately 400 million each? And, the last time I checked, Spider-Man and The X-Men are more popular franchises than the Fantastic Four.

Yay, Marvel and Toybiz. You really knocked this one out of the park. Woo-hoo.