Just in time for the retail launch of Marvel Heroes Comic Book Creator, Kevin Donovan, president of Planetwide Games, took some time out to answer a few questions about the title and his company’s unique software.
The software was just released for retail sale in major stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. It features Marvel favorites, such as Spider-Man, X-Men and Elektra and can also be found online here.
I understand the Comic Book Creator is fantastic for anyone from video game fans to comic book junkies to create their own unique art. How did you all come up with the idea to create such a fun and useful program?
Two years ago we were in development of an online game and realized that video gamers were sharing with one another their online gaming experiences on forums and blogs through their virtual identities. We identified there was an opportunity to further enhance this communication process the idea of “what if gamers could make their own comics and stories and share them online and even be able to self-publish personalized comic books of their online game action?”
We then realized the comic book industry could benefit for our idea and software. We then approached major comic book brands and secured licensing agreements with Marvel, Virgin Comics, and Speed Racer to name a few. The Comic Book Creator software is a patent pending interactive application.
I understand that s Marvel Heroes edition is your latest release. When did it go live and where can people get their own copy?
Our Marvel Heroes Comic Book Creator version is our first edition of a vast line of Marvel Universe Comic Book Creator products and content packs to be released by Planetwide over the next several years. We just launched this line during the first week in November 2006 for purchase online of the boxed product or download a trial at www.mycomicbookcreator.com. It is also available at EB Games, Gamestop, FAO Schwarz and through independent Comic Book stores in US and Canada.
How does the Marvel Heroes Comic Book Creator work?
"Marvel Heroes Comic Book Creator” is an innovative and empowering interactive entertainment software that enables users to combine their Marvel Heroes digital images, characters, backgrounds, and clip art and imaginations to create their own personalized Marvel Heroes comic book.
The "Marvel Heroes Comic Book Creator" is super-simple and easy-to-use self-publishing software. Users can drag and drop their own Marvel Heroes digital images into a vast selection of templates and have their own personalized Marvel Heroes comic book in a matter of seconds. It’s all a part of the software.
There will also be additional Marvel Heroes Digital Content Booster Packs that may be purchased that will have unique content to select and insert. Users can easily add their own text bubbles with one simple mouse click. “Marvel Heroes Comic Book Creator” has been designed to give users as much freedom in creating their comics as possible. Users can choose to print out hard copies of their comic or export their creation into PDF, HTML, JPG, BMP format and digitally distribute it via e-mail, web sites or blogs.
Spider-Man, X-Men and Elektra images are offered in this edition. With all the characters in the Marvel stable, how were these three franchises decided upon?
It was a very tough decision due to the depth and scope of the Marvel Universe. With the upcoming Marvel comic book feature film releases in 2006-2007, it became readily apparent that X-Men, Spider-Man and Elektra we’re the cornerstones and our first choice.
Beyond the great characters, what makes this title different?
All of us in the US and Canada and throughout the world have grown up reading comic books, graphic novels, comic strips and coloring books. We all have become accustomed to the format of these genres, but only a few very talented artists have been lucky enough to be considered comic book creators. The similar format of Panels, Backgrounds, Characters, Text, Word Bubbles, and Logos has been the standard we have all come to enjoy and read. For the first time, anyone without any previous art or design knowledge can now create their own personalized comics using characters from the Marvel Universe using the Marvel Heroes Comic Book Creator software.
How many unique versions of the Comic Book Creator does Planetwide now offer?
We currently have the Original Comic Book Creator, SOE Comic Book Creator for EQ, EQII, PlanetSide, Nacho Libre Comic Book Creator, Barnyard Comic Book Creator, Marvel Heroes Comic Book Creator and there are approximately many development preparing to release with add-on expansion content packs during the next few months.
Can you give any indication what might be next for Planetwide?
Our plans for 2007 include broadening our titles and technologies with our existing partners and securing additional strategic partnerships in comics, motion picture, video games, entertainment, sports, online and other lifestyle genres.
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James
