In a creative attempt to test the likability of a TV series prior to it airing, Netflix has partnered with Millarworld to produce Netflix comic books, the first of which is titled 'The Magic Order.'
The comic series follows five families of magicians, "sworn to protect our world from monsters for generations, who must battle an enemy that is picking them off one by one." The Magic Order will be written by Mark Millar and Oliver Coipel, who had a hand in illustrating Thor, The Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man. The first volume will be six issues long and released in the spring of 2018.
The Netflix comic books will gather data while building buzz about a series in a manner that's low-cost and unique.
Streaming Service Comic Books
The First Netflix Comic Book Will Be Titled 'The Magic Order'
Trend Themes
1. Branded Comic Books - Opportunity for brands to create comic books to build buzz and engage with audiences.
2. Data-driven Content Development - Using comic books to gather data and test the likability of TV series before production.
3. Cross-media Partnerships - Partnerships between streaming platforms and comic book publishers to create unique content experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - Opportunity for entertainment companies to leverage comic books as a marketing tool and source of audience insights.
2. Publishing - Opportunity for publishers to collaborate with streaming services in creating comic book adaptations of popular TV series or movies.
3. Streaming Services - Opportunity for streaming platforms to bridge the gap between comics and TV series, expanding their content offerings.