EA, Marvel partner on superheroes

Video game and comic book titans enter into agreement

By Patrick Sauriol     February 06, 2004
Source: Electronic Arts

When superheroes from two different companies come together to do battle it becomes a notable event in the world of comic books. In the past we've seen team-ups between Marvel and DC, Image and Valiant, and Dark Horse Comics has even shown us what would happen in such contests as ALIENS VS. PREDATOR and ROBOCOP VS. TERMINATOR. But in a first, the world's biggest distributor/creator of video games has hooked up with the comic industry's largest publisher to bring a new series of games and comics featuring match-ups between Marvel and to-be-created Electronic Arts superheroes.

The partnership between EA and Marvel will see the former company develop and distribute fighting games featuring characters from the Marvel universe. In return, Marvel will create and publish consumer products (including comics) featuring the new slate of EA superheroes. It's a multi-year agreement between the two creative powerhouses, but the exact breakdown of who owns what and how much each will make from the venture wasn't revealed.

"It's a unique opportunity, partnering with Marvel to bring their renowned Super Heroes into original videogame environments, as well as providing us an opportunity to create new heroes that will live in games, comic books and other licensing or media opportunities that Marvel presents," states John Riccitiello, the President and COO for Electronic Arts. "Fans of both traditional Marvel comics as well as video games have a lot to be excited about as they will be able to fight it out between established Marvel Super Heroes and EA's new heroes in original scenarios."

No ETA for when we could expect to play these new video games was issued but they are in development.


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