Marvel to give out free magazines previewing its new comic book universe on July 1, 2015

DC Comics just launched a new creative direction for its titles dubbed DCYOU and Marvel is following suit by refreshing the makeup of its comic book universe later this year.  To provide fans a preview of these changes, comic book stores across the United States will be distributing a FREE 64-page full color magazine on July 1, 2015.  ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL PREVIEW will provide a peek at what the comic book publisher has planned for when its Secret Wars special event ends in the Fall and the "new Marvel Universe begins." This magazine will provide the first look at Marvel's new comic book lineup and what changes it presents for the super heroes that live within it and the creative teams who bring this fictional universe to life.

“This is a great way to reward fans who visit their local comic shops,” noted Marvel Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, David Gabriel in a press release received by A Geek Daddy Blog. “The comic industry has undergone a renaissance this past year, starting with the launch of the new THOR #1 last fall. Comic shops have reported increased traffic, new customers, and higher sales. Free Comic Book Day 2015 was the biggest and best it’s ever been! We’re thrilled to say thank you by officially revealing the All-New, All-Different Marvel directly to those customers found in comic shops.”

It is nice to see Marvel rewarding its existing base of comic book store customers with an exclusive first look at how things will be changing especially when many of the changes are not primarily meant for their benefit but rather to bring a new younger and more diverse audience into comic book stores to join existing fans in reading the medium.  Hopefully the changes by both DC and Marvel will be balanced so that there will be products that are enjoyable for both the current base of primarily middle aged white men like myself whose spending is making these publishers profitable now and the younger female and racially diverse group of consumers the industry wants to attract to keep them viable into the future.  Hopefully DC and Marvel will be able to provide comic books that cater to the interests of a wide variety of people and make everyone happy.  It would be great to see the industry become rejuvinated and thrive! Otherwise the next generation of customers may skip comic books as an entertainment option all together with movies, television shows, and video games replacing the medium's niche.  So there will be a lot of eyes looking out for the ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL PREVIEW on July 1 including mine. 

“This is going to be an absolute game changer for Marvel,” Gabriel added in the press release. “Similar to the most successful comics industry program of this century – Marvel NOW!, All-New All-Different Marvel is going to be presenting fans new #1’s for every title coming out during this event. This is a brand new beginning that honors our past 76 years, yet takes a bold step with daring, and accessible, entry points. Simply stated - this is Marvel!”

Marvel also released the teaser images we've included in this post showing some of the characters as they will be appearing in their "new universe".  In three more weeks, we'll have a more defined understanding of what changes will be occurring in the publisher's comic books when the free preview magazine hits comic book stores on the first new comic book day in July (7/1/2015).  Fingers crossed that we all like what we see!