The Four Color Media Monitor

The AP Wire's given a report from the San Diego Comic-Con, and it looks like yet again, comics have little emphasis at this specific festival, if at all:

With the highly anticipated release of “ Deadpool & Wolverine,” Marvel is set to be a strong presence, from the costumes fans don to the panels that draw the longest lines. The Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman-led feature is the first and only Disney-backed Marvel movie of the year. The panel promoting the film and celebrating its release Thursday is expected to draw thousands to the convention’s famed Hall H.

Marvel is also expected to announce news teasing their upcoming titles in their “Phase 5” cinematic universe plan and beyond, with Marvel president Kevin Feige as the only confirmed speaker on their Saturday panel. He will be joined by special guests, who may include stars of upcoming Marvel titles like “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts(asterisk)” and “The Fantastic Four.”

These films, as noted before, are bound to be quite woke, but in any event, this is an example of the emphasis put upon movies instead of comics. And that's not all:

Part of the draw for many Comic-Con attendees is the plethora of merchandise available to purchase on the exhibit floor. Booths selling collectibles from Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Lego, Hasbro, Sony, Mattel and dozens of other companies and franchises will take over the sprawling venue. Visitors can also expect some free items and giveaways on the floor.

Collectibles? If there's anything comics-related there, that could be the speculator market in motion, of course. What good is all this merchandise compared to reading material? The only real mention of anything comics-related here is the following, which is short and non-commital:

The “Artists’ Alley” in the exhibit hall also features dozens of rising creators selling art prints, comics, toys, books, collectibles and more.

Let's at least hope that alludes to independent products, but if said alley is one of the few halls or the only place at the convention center where you could find actual comics, then they're not committed to the art form in any genuine format.

It is telling though, if the Deadpool/Wolverine team-up is the only Marvel movie produced this year, certainly through Disney. That can indicate enthusiasm for the film franchise has waned. But if the SDCC's continued focus on movies is any suggestion, they're still not turning any serious focus back to comicdom again.

Labels: Captain America, conventions, Fantastic Four, licensed products, marvel comics, msm propaganda, sales