ftp.xmission.com/2014.06.ftp.xmission.com.tar/ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/comix-biz/archive/v02.n003

Internet Message Format | 1997-02-06 | 35KB

From:      [e-mail]
To:        [e-mail]
Subject:   comix-biz Digest V2 #3
Reply-To:  [e-mail]
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Precedence:


comix-biz Digest          Friday, 7 February 1997      Volume 02 : Number 003

In this issue:

    (cbiz) [NEWS] Marvel Entertainment Group Inc unifies divisions
    (cbiz) [NEWS] Marvel Bondholders Mount Counterattack
    (cbiz) [NEWS] Court approves Marvel's DIP credit
    (cbiz) [NEWS] Harvey names Trendmasters as licensee
    (cbiz) [OPINION] BART: Marvel's War Of Words Has Comic Side
    (cbiz) [NEWS] Marvel Files Preliminary 4Q96 & 1996 Financial Information with Court
    (cbiz) [NEWS] Marvel's Silver Surfer on Fox
    (cbiz) [PRESS RELEASE] Marvel and Diamond together again

See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the comix-biz
or comix-biz-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 21:18:05 -0500 (EST)
Subject: (cbiz) [NEWS] Marvel Entertainment Group Inc unifies divisions

Monday January 13 10:37 AM EST

Marvel Entertainment Group Inc unifies divisions

NEW YORK, Jan 13 (Reuter) - Marvel Entertainment Group said Monday it
formed Marvel Enterprises, a new operating unit that brings together
under a single division the business management of the company's sports
and entertainment trading card businesses (Fleer/SkyBox), its
international youth sports and entertainment sticker business (Panini),
and its online entertainment (America Online and WWW) and interactive
software business (Marvel Interactive).

Scott Marden will serve as president and CEO of Marvel Enterprises. He
has been executive vice president and director of Marvel Entertainment
Group as well as CEO of Marvel Interactive since he joined the company
in February 1996.

Before joining Marvel, Marden served as president and CEO of Philips
Media, a division of the Dutch electronics giant.

Reporting directly to Marden are Ed Feeley, president and CEO,
Fleer/SkyBox; Aldo Salustro, managing director, Panini, S.P.A.; Paul
Kallis, senior vice president online entertainment, Marvel Interactive;
and Lester Greenman, senior vice president software publishing, Marvel
Interactive.

Extensive use of electronic media, especially the World Wide Web, is a
key part of the unit's strategy. Marden said, "We will increasingly use
these media to inform young people about our new products and releases
and to cross- promote our rich and diverse product lines. Sports
information, game playing, and the Marvel Universe will all be online,
as will a series of trade supports for our customers."


- --
Geoffrey R. Mason          |    [e-mail]
Editor - indy Magazine          |    611 NW 34th Drive
College of Law - Univ of Florida  |    Gainesville, Florida 32607-2429
- --
URL = http://grove.ufl.edu/~jrm

# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Email [e-mail] with "info comix-biz" in the message.
# Postings must go to [e-mail] -- replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 21:18:33 -0500 (EST)
Subject: (cbiz) [NEWS] Marvel Bondholders Mount Counterattack

Monday January 13 9:58 PM EST

Marvel Bondholders Mount Counterattack

By Jessica Hall

NEW YORK (Reuter) - The bondholders of Marvel Entertainment Group Inc.'s
holding companies mounted a counterattack Monday, filing a motion to
dismiss Marvel's controversial bankruptcy plan and seeking to protect
their $894 milion investment.

The bankruptcy filing intensified a battle between Ron Perelman, who
controls a majority stake in Marvel, and Marvel bondholders, including
financier Carl Icahn.

The bondholders, which united to form an official committee on Jan. 9,
said certain bondholders would support a rights offering and would
secure additional financing to properly capitalize Marvel and improve
its profitability.

The bondholders said their recapitalization proposal, which remains
subject to due diligence, would be an alternative to Marvel's
pre-packaged bankruptcy plan filed in December.

Marvel, which publishes comic books such as Spider Man and the X-Men,
and its three holding companies filed for reorganization under Chapter
11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code last month.

Under that bankruptcy plan, Marvel proposed a a $525 million
recapitalization plan which would dilute the ownership of public
stocksholders. The plan would also dilute the value of the company's
public bonds, which are backed by the stock.

Marvel, which could not be immediately reached to comment on the
bondholders' filing, previously said it was forced to file bankruptcy
because the bondholders failed to agree on alternatives to its
reorganization.

Marvel bondholders had balked at Perelman's request that they waive
certain restrictions contained in the bonds and support Perelman's plan
to buy newly issued shares of Marvel at a steep discount to the market
price.

Perelman then dismissed the bondholders' counter plan of a rights
offering to generate needed capital and submitted a bankrutpcy plan, the
bondholders said.

Marvel's Chapter 11 reorganization plan benefitted Perelman at the
expense of Marvel creditors, the bondholders said. Perelman could not be
immediately reached for comment.

In a motion filed Monday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District
of Delaware, the bondholders said they should be permitted to exercise
their right to vote and to foreclose upon the common stock pledged as
collateral to the bonds.

The bondholder also asked the court to lift an automatic stay, which
restricts competing reorganization plans.

"Perelman must not be permitted to use to automatic stay offensively to
ram through a self-interested deal. Court approved continuation of the
automatic stay ... would turn a financial folly into a judicial
travesty," the bondholders said in the filing.

"The secured bondholders, and not Perelman, have the true economic
interst in the common stock of Marvel," the bondholders said.

The bondholders also alleged that Marvel's assets "have been mismanaged
and underutilized for a number of years."

Marvel's woes come after several years as a Wall Street darling. The
stock, which traded as high as $35 a share in 1993, closed at $2.125 on
Monday.

In addition to the power struggle between Perelman and the bondholders,
Marvel has suffered as interest in comic books and sports memorabilia
waned. Marvel also stumbled with some unsuccessful acquisitions,
analysts said.

On Monday, Marvel said it formed a new operating unit, Marvel
Enterprises, that unites the management of its sports and entertainment
trading card businesses, its international youth sports and
entertainment stick unit, and its online entertainment and interactive
software business.

Reuters/Variety


- --
Geoffrey R. Mason          |    [e-mail]
Editor - indy Magazine          |    611 NW 34th Drive
College of Law - Univ of Florida  |    Gainesville, Florida 32607-2429
- --
URL = http://grove.ufl.edu/~jrm

# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Email [e-mail] with "info comix-biz" in the message.
# Postings must go to [e-mail] -- replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 1997 18:09:54 -0500 (EST)
Subject: (cbiz) [NEWS] Court approves Marvel's DIP credit

Wednesday January 22 6:57 PM EST

Court approves Marvel Entertainment Group Inc $100 mln DIP credit

NEW YORK, Jan 22 (Reuter) - The U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved
Marvel Entertainment Group Inc's $100 million debtor-in-possession (DIP)
credit agreement with a lender group, the company said Wednesday.

The company said the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware
in Wilmington approved its agreement with the group headed by Chase
Manhattan Corp , subject to two modifications.

Marvel said it had access to "sufficient cash" to meet all of its
obligations pending the entry of the final order, which it expected to
make by Friday.

Judge Helen Balick also rejected a request by holders of Marvel holding
company bonds that the company accept an alternative source of DIP
financing presented by the them, it said.

A spokesman for the bondholders later said the court rejected two
provisions that financier Ronald Perelman, who owns 80 percent of
Marvel, had sought in obtaining the financing.

Under Perelman's proposal, the DIP facility would be in default if
Perelman or his designees retained less than 51 percent of the power to
vote Marvel's stock or if someone made a motion to reject to Marvel's
perpetual royalty-free arrangement with Toy Biz's royalty, he said.

Marvel, a comic book publisher, filed for reorganization under Chapter
11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code last month.

Under Perelman's provisions, the bondholders, whose investment was
secured by Marvel's common stock, would have been in a less powerful
bargaining position in the company's Chapter 11 reorganization.

Marvel said the judge ruled that the event of default in the DIP credit
facility related to Perelman's loss of control of Marvel be the same as
the loss of control default provision in Marvel's pre-Chapter 11 secured
bank facilities.

The judge also ruled that the event of default concerning the Toy Biz
license with Marvel be modified so that a default would occur only if
the license were rejected by the company, rather than a default
occurring upon the mere filing of a motion requesting such a rejection.


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Email [e-mail] with "info comix-biz" in the message.
# Postings must go to [e-mail] -- replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 1997 18:15:11 -0500 (EST)
Subject: (cbiz) [NEWS] Harvey names Trendmasters as licensee

Thursday January 23 7:17 AM EDT

The Harvey Entertainment Company names Trendmasters as master toy
licensee

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 1997--

Trendmasters To Develop Toy Lines For Casper, Richie Rich, Baby Huey,
Wendy The Good Little Witch And Hot Stuff

The Harvey Entertainment Co has awarded Trendmasters the master toy
license for its valuable character franchises, which include Casper the
Friendly Ghost, Richie Rich, Baby Huey, Hot Stuff, Little Audrey and
Wendy the Good Little Witch, it was announced by Charles Day, Vice
President of Consumer Products for Harvey Entertainment and DeWayne
Booker, Trendmasters Senior Vice President of Marketing.

The agreement follows on the heels of both companies' successful
association on Casper, which was highlighted by a Halloween line of home
decor based on the world's most popular friendly ghost.

To launch their new association, Harvey and Trendmasters will co-host an
industry reception to be held at Toy Fair, when both companies will
unveil their 1997 Casper toy lines, which include innovative figures and
play sets based on the hit Fox Kids Network animated series, the
upcoming live action direct-to-video release and the original Casper
character.

According to Booker, Trendmasters has also begun development on toy
lines for Richie Rich, Baby Huey, Hot Stuff, Little Audrey and Wendy,
the Good Little Witch to be introduced during 1997.

"We are delighted to expand our association with Trendmasters, a
creative, fast-moving and aggressive company that is an emerging
industry leader," said Day. "Trendmasters combines unparalleled creative
resources with unique marketing prowess that makes them an outstanding
partner."

The Harvey Entertainment Company's stellar cast of characters join such
high-profile properties as Gumby and Pokey, Independence Day, Mars
Attacks!, Godzilla, I Dream of Jeannie and Tarzan The Epic Adventures in
Trendmasters' impressive portfolio.

"We look forward with tremendous enthusiasm to our new association with
The Harvey Entertainment Company. Harvey's beloved characters are a
perfect fit for our commitment to developing classic product," said
Booker.

Trendmasters is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and is one of the
fastest growing international toy companies, with extensive product
lines including action figures and home decor items. Trendmasters is
also engaged in multimedia development, digital special effects and 3-D
animation.

The Harvey Entertainment Company is engaged in the management and
exploitation of its proprietary branded characters through home video
production, animation production, filmed entertainment, merchandising
and licensing. The Harvey Classic Characters include Casper, the
Friendly Ghost, Fatso, Stinkie and Stretch (The Ghostly Trio), Richie
Rich, Baby Huey, Hot Stuff, Little Audrey, Wendy, the Good Little Witch
and many others.

Except for the historical information in this press release, it includes
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties,
including, but not limited to, quarterly fluctuations in results, the
management of growth, and other risks detailed from time to time in the
Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Actual results may
differ materially from management expectations.

CONTACT:  Gregory M. Yulish - Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer 310/789-1990
or
David C. Collins, Joseph N. Jaffoni - Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated
212/505-3015 or [e-mail]


Geoffrey R. Mason          |    [e-mail]
Editor - indy Magazine          |    611 NW 34th Drive
College of Law - Univ of Florida  |    Gainesville, Florida 32607-2429
- --
URL = http://grove.ufl.edu/~jrm

# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Email [e-mail] with "info comix-biz" in the message.
# Postings must go to [e-mail] -- replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 09:13:57 -0500 (EST)
Subject: (cbiz) [OPINION] BART: Marvel's War Of Words Has Comic Side

BART: Marvel's War Of Words Has Comic Side

By Peter Bart, Daily Variety Editor-in-Chief

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - I've been concerned lately about Ron and Carl.
They've been circling each other, making angry noises, but their
inhibitions have prevented them from venting what's really on their
minds.

And that's not healthy, as any analyst will tell you. Indeed, they
should probably take a lesson from Rupert and Ted. Maybe we could all
use a lesson.

Ron and Carl, of course, are Ron Perelman and Carl Icahn. These two
grizzled veterans of corporate combat are presently locked in a battle
over the Marvel comic book empire, of all things. In fact, the battle's
gotten rather nasty.

One might well wonder why two renowned entrepreneurs are that excited
over controlling the company that gave us Mort the Dead Teenager and
Blade the Vampire Hunter. Not to mention that mother of all arachnids,
Spider-Man.

Apparently, it's as much pride as anything else. Perelman, the emperor
of Revlon, originally latched onto Marvel seven years ago for roughly
$80 million in borrowed money. Much more recently, Icahn, who once
controlled TWA, started scooping up Marvel bonds. Events escalated when
Perelman announced a recapitalization plan that, critics said, would
richly benefit Perelman while reducing bondholders to the role of idle
spectators.

When suddenly confronted with a fusillade of criticism, Perelman came up
with a better idea: bankruptcy.

By filing for Chapter 11, control of Marvel's restructuring would be
taken out of the hands of bondholders like Icahn and put into the hands
of Perelman, who would also gain access to $100 million in bank
financing to cover salaries and other expenses.

The bankruptcy filing set off a new round of fireworks -- at least,
Ron-and-Carl-style fireworks. Mustering all his powers of rhetoric,
Icahn called the move "unconscionable." Reaching still further, he
termed it "reprehensible."

In response, Perelman, who disdains conversing with working-class
journalists, nonetheless saw to it that an unnamed spokesman for an
unnamed aide labeled Icahn's accusations "slightly disingenuous" and
called Icahn "a vulture investor."

These pronouncements are pathetically bland compared to the rhetoric of
the Murdoch-Turner wars -- unhealthily so. Earlier this month, Turner
appeared on 60 Minutes to reiterate his opinion that Rupert was
essentially a scumbag.

While retreating a bit from his earlier descriptions of his media rival
as Hitler-like, Terrible Ted nonetheless insisted that Murdoch's
behavior was akin to that of the Fuhrer in that he sought to control the
media for his own ideological purposes. He feared Murdoch, Turner
acknowledged; certainly he did not trust him.

Murdoch himself has not as yet responded to these remarks, but his
newspapers, especially the New York Post, continue to suggest that
Turner is emotionally unstable, if not downright Looney Tunes. Not
surprisingly, CNN cannot be found in the Post's TV listings.

To be sure, some pundits have been critical of the Ted-Rupert feud,
suggesting that it diminishes the stature of their vast media empires.
Some also point out the irony of Turner "fearing" the scope of Murdoch's
global power. Turner himself is the biggest stockholder in Time Warner,
which controls the most extraordinary mother lode of movies and TV shows
in the history of the entertainment business. Who should be scared of
whom?

At the same time, there's something downright healthy about two titans
avoiding fancy euphemisms like "disingenuous" or "unconscionable," not
to mention artifices like having unnamed spokesmen release statements
through anonymous PR men.

After all, Ron and Carl aren't fighting over Time Warner or News Corp.,
but rather a comic book company -- a messed-up one, at that.

Here are a couple of suits who've invaded the calm domain of the Silver
Surfer and what do they do? They overpay for two trading card companies.
They disrupt their distribution apparatus. They wander into confused
merchandising schemes and even try to synergize storylines of their
comic book characters.

If Spider-Man had his own anonymous spokesman, he'd label these
strategies "disingenuous." More likely, he'd borrow from Turner and call
his corporate suits a bunch of scumbags.

Maybe the lesson in all this is that the big-time corporate movers and
shakers should focus on the big targets and steer clear of little
companies like Marvel. I realize that the acquisition of intellectual
propertytakes high priority on every maven's wish list, but arguably
Mort, Blade and Spider-Man fall into another category entirely --
unintellectual property.

And I doubt if even Rupert and Ted would bother fighting about that.

Reuters/Variety


- --
Geoffrey R. Mason          |    [e-mail]
Editor - indy Magazine          |    611 NW 34th Drive
College of Law - Univ of Florida  |    Gainesville, Florida 32607-2429
- --
URL = http://grove.ufl.edu/~jrm

# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Email [e-mail] with "info comix-biz" in the message.
# Postings must go to [e-mail] -- replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 09:24:11 -0500 (EST)
Subject: (cbiz) [NEWS] Marvel Files Preliminary 4Q96 & 1996 Financial Information with Court

Monday January 27 8:38 AM EDT

Marvel Files Preliminary 4Q96 & 1996 Financial Information with Court

NEW YORK, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Marvel Entertainment Group Inc intends
to file today information related to its preliminary results for the
fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 1996 as part of its Chapter
11 reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of
Delaware in Wilmington.

Based on unaudited data, Marvel expects to report a net loss of
approximately $405-$440 million or ($4.00-$4.35) per share for the
quarter and approximately $435-$470 million or ($4.25-$4.60) per share
for the year. As the Company indicated in its November 12, 1996 news
release for the third quarter and 10-Q filed on November 14, 1996, the
net loss for the fourth quarter and 1996 fiscal year includes
significant special, principally non- cash charges estimated at
$350-$385 million prior to completion of its year end audit. Such
special charges primarily relate to trading card operations, including a
reduction of goodwill, the write-off of deferred tax assets, and charges
related to restructuring.

Preliminary results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 1996 before
special charges were lower than originally anticipated due to lower
results from operations, and compared to year ago periods were affected
by the Company's inability to recognize potential tax benefits, lower
results from operations, and reorganization expenses related to the
Company's Chapter 11 filing.

These preliminary results will cause the Company to have negative
stockholders' equity of $225-$260 million on its books. Under Marvel's
Chapter 11 proposed plan of reorganization submitted to the Court,
Andrews Group Incorporated, which is controlled by Ronald O. Perelman,
will invest $365 million in new equity in Marvel which will be used to
make Toy Biz, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary. In turn, Marvel's lender
group has agreed to provide a total of $160 million to finance Marvel's
new strategic investment program and working capital requirements.

Upon completion of its audit of the year ended December 31, 1996, Marvel
will report actual financial results for the fourth quarter and year. In
1995, Marvel reported a net loss of $58.5 million or ($0.58) per share
for the fourth quarter and a net loss of $48.4 million or ($0.48) per
share for the full year. Marvel's results for 1995 included $95 million
in special and restructuring charges in the fourth quarter and $135
million of such charges for the full year.

In light of the urgent need of Marvel to speedily implement its Chapter
11 plan of reorganization, Marvel's Chapter 11 attorneys have invited
the Unsecured Creditors' Committee in separate holding companies'
Chapter 11 cases, and the successor Indenture Trustee for certain bond
issues of the holding companies, to develop a program so that they may
conduct their own review of the financial situation.

On Friday, Marvel reported that Chief Judge Helen S. Balick of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in Wilmington signed a
final order approving Marvel's $100 million debtor-in-possession (DIP)
financing provided by Chase Manhattan Bank. The DIP financing will be
available to Marvel for the expected duration of its Chapter 11
reorganization and will enable the Company to continue meeting all of
its operating needs on a current basis. As previously reported, Marvel
has received court permission to pay salaries, wages and benefits to all
of its employees and independent contractors on an ongoing basis; to pay
all of its bills, including those submitted prior to the filing, on time
and in full; and to continue funding its
joint venture expenses.

For more information regarding Marvel, call 212-696-0808 or visit web
sites at http://www.marvelonline.com or
http://www.shareholdernews.com/mrv.


Geoffrey R. Mason          |    [e-mail]
Editor - indy Magazine          |    611 NW 34th Drive
College of Law - Univ of Florida  |    Gainesville, Florida 32607-2429
- --
URL = http://grove.ufl.edu/~jrm

# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Email [e-mail] with "info comix-biz" in the message.
# Postings must go to [e-mail] -- replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 6 Feb 1997 10:23:26 -0500 (EST)
Subject: (cbiz) [NEWS] Marvel's Silver Surfer on Fox

(From Marvel Press Release)

MARVEL TO CELEBRATE 'SILVER SURFER' 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH DEBUT OF NEW
TELEVISION SERIES ON FOX KIDS NETWORK AND COMPREHENSIVE LICENSING AND
MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Joint Venture Between Marvel Studios, Saban Entertainment, and Fox Kids
Worldwide To Bring New Half-Hour Animated Series To Saturday Morning
Line-Up in January 1998; Sneak Preview Special is Scheduled This
November

Series Spurs Major Licensing Pacts For 'Silver Surfer' Products Already
Ranging from Snow Boards and Bicycles to Toys and Collectibles

NEW YORK, N. Y., February 5, 1997 -- "Silver Surfer," a new animated
half-hour series featuring the Marvel Comics' pop culture icon, will
join the Fox Kids Network Saturday morning television line-up in January
1998, co-produced by Saban Entertainment and Marvel Studios. In advance
of the series debut, a "Silver Surfer" sneak preview special will air
this November.

The upcoming debut of the "Silver Surfer" series -- celebrating the 30th
anniversary of one of Marvel's most popular super heroes -- was
announced today by David Schreff, President and COO, Marvel
Entertainment Group, Inc., and Avi Arad, President and CEO, Marvel
Studios.

The "Silver Surfer" series is the first Marvel property to be developed
under a new television production and distribution agreement with Fox
Kids Worldwide and Saban Entertainment. The recent agreement calls for
the production of at least four Marvel properties over seven years -- in
addition to the highly successful "X-Men" and "Spider-Man" series
already appearing on Fox Kids.

The epic storyline of the "Silver Surfer" -- co-created in the 1960s by
Stan Lee, now Chairman and Publisher of Marvel Comics and Chairman of
Marvel Studios -- has bridged generations of comic book readers. There
is a renewed interest in the action saga of this philosophical super
hero traveling the universe in search of home. Stan Lee and Avi Arad
will serve as Executive Producers.

A far-reaching integrated marketing program, involving many businesses
of the Marvel Entertainment Group, will support the "Silver Surfer"
series. This comprehensive cross-divisional approach will tap Marvel's
expertise in publishing, product licensing, corporate sponsorships,
production, business development and other key areas.

Toy Biz, a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment Group and one of the
nation's fastest growing toy companies, will produce a comprehensive toy
line based on the series including action figures, vehicles, and play
sets.

Licensing agreements will cover both new products and increased
inventories for existing items. The range of Silver Surfer-related
products so far includes Byron Preiss novels, I Care eyeglass frames, S.
Goldberg footwear, Franklin Mint collectibles, Huffy bicycles, Wormser
sleepwear, Ride International snow boards and skateboards, Hanes/Sara
Lee underwear, and Tiger handheld games and youth electronics. Scores of
other licensed products are expected to result from current negotiations
and widespread interest in the "Silver Surfer" series.

Schreff said: "This new animated series provides an ideal opportunity to
widen the Silver Surfer's loyal following through television, related
product licensing and other extensions of the Marvel brand. Given the
tremendous potential ahead for the Silver Surfer, Marvel businesses will
participate in a highly focused and fully integrated marketing effort to
support the series."

Arad added: "For three decades, the Silver Surfer has been a hero and
role model to young people as he seeks justice in a complex universe. As
his realm now expands to include television, the Silver Surfer will
continue his struggle against evil with exciting new stories and
advanced animation for the nineties audience."

Margaret Loesch, Chairman and CEO, Fox Kids Networks, Worldwide,
commented: "The 'Silver Surfer' television series is being developed in
the finest tradition of Marvel characters -- with high-power action and
entertainment as well as a positive message. It will be an important
addition to the Fox Kids Network as we continue our successful
relationship with Marvel and build upon the highly rated 'X-Men' and
'Spider-Man' series."

Like the comic book, the "Silver Surfer" series on Fox Kids centers on
Norrin Radd, who saved his planet and received his extraordinary powers
in exchange for servitude to the world-devourer, Galactus. The storyline
follows the adventures of the super hero after he rebels from his former
master. With a restructured body encased in a silver shell and the
ability to wield the "power cosmic," Silver Surfer withstands the rigors
of space travel and rides waves of cosmic energy on a surfboard that
defies all physical laws.

Visually, the series will explore a universe that uses the latest NASA
photographs and discoveries as authentic starting points. Vast animated
panoramas will heighten the action as well as the more personal and
philosophical nature of the character-based stories.

Silver Surfer encounters fascinating aliens and civilizations as he
searches the universe for his great love Shalla Bal and for his home
planet Zenn-La which was hidden from him by Galactus. Along the way, he
uses his powers for good, whether generating healing rays or unleashing
bolts of energy to fight dangerous enemies that threaten the innocent
who cannot defend themselves. Silver Surfer, however, isn't invulnerable
and by trying to do what is right, often is forced to overcome
incredible odds to keep from being destroyed.

Adding more variety to the storyline is a recurring cast of allies --
such as the artificially created human Adam Warlock and the
wise-cracking Pip the Troll -- as well as enemies such as Thanos, the
Titan, a villain determined to destroy all living things, and Nebula, a
cunning female pirate.

Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. (NYSE: MRV) is a world leader in the
production and licensing of super hero-themed entertainment, spanning a
wide array of media and sports ventures including comic books,
television, film, theme parks and restaurants. Marvel has embarked on a
major expansion, building upon its foundation as the No. 1 comic book
company. Other operations of Marvel include Marvel Studios, a live
action and animated film and television production company;
Fleer/Skybox, the world's largest trading card company; Panini, the
world leader in youth-oriented activity books and sticker products tied
to sports and entertainment; Toy Biz, one of the nation's fastest
growing toy companies; and Marvel Interactive, creators of digital
software, CD-ROMs, video games and online service product. Marvel is
available on America Online at keyword: Marvel and can be accessed on
the internet at www.marvelonline.com.


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Email [e-mail] with "info comix-biz" in the message.
# Postings must go to [e-mail] -- replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 15:12:28 -0500 (EST)
Subject: (cbiz) [PRESS RELEASE] Marvel and Diamond together again

(FROM MARVEL PRESS RELEASE)

MARVEL COMICS SELECTS DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS FOR DIRECT MARKET
STORES

February 6, 1997: Marvel Comics has signed a service agreement with
Diamond Comic Distributors, selecting Diamond to service specialty
market retailers and direct market comic book shops, it was announced
today by David J. Schreff, President and COO, Marvel Entertainment Group
and Stephen A. Geppi, President and CEO, Diamond Comic Distributors.

Under the terms of the agreement, Diamond will become Marvel ComicsÆ
North American specialty sales agent, distributing Marvel Comics to
comic book shops. Marvel will retain control of mass-market,
subscription and newsstand sales along with specialty store pricing,
discounts and terms of sale.

As a result, Marvel will close its Heroes World offices in New Jersey.
This announcement follows a detailed six month review of direct market
retail services that determined Diamond possesses the systems and
technology to provide consistent, reliable distribution to Marvel
customers. The move to Diamond expands MarvelÆs ability to support its
line of products, while preserving the close customer contact essential
to continued publishing growth.

"By teaming up with Diamond, Marvel will provide our retail customers
with the best selling comics, a reliable distribution system, and a
discount and incentive plan designed to maximize customer profits,"
explained Schreff. "Ultimately, weÆre doing this to ensure that
customers have a simple, practical method for purchasing Marvel
products."

"Diamond's focus has always centered on the service of our customers,"
stated Geppi. "We welcome the opportunity to provide Marvel a solid
platform for customer satisfaction, and to assist Marvel customers
during the transition." Geppi assured customers that Marvel shipments
would continue uninterrupted during the transition, with Diamond "making
every effort to supply seamless processing and delivery of weekly retail
orders" and assistance in collecting accounts receivable.

Marvel customers will automatically begin receiving weekly orders from
Diamond, beginning with products released for sale February 26, 1997.
Specialty retailers will find copies of the Mega Marvel catalogue
bundled with DiamondÆs Previews Catalog Pack Vol. 7, No. 3, containing
complete details on discounts and terms of sale.

"Diamond will always strive for perfect service," concluded Geppi, "by
adding Marvel Comics to our business, we look forward to improving the
services we offer to retailers and suppliers alike."

Marvel Comics Group, the No. 1 comic book company in the world, is a
division of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. (NYSE:MRV), a diversified
entertainment company with an extensive library of over 3500 characters.
These include internationally celebrated properties such as Spider-Man,
X-Men and The Incredible Hulk. Marvel is available on America Online at
keyword: Marvel and can be accessed on the internet at
www.marvelonline.com.


Geoffrey R. Mason          |    [e-mail]
Editor - indy Magazine          |    611 NW 34th Drive
College of Law - Univ of Florida  |    Gainesville, Florida 32607-2429
- --
URL = http://grove.ufl.edu/~jrm

# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Email [e-mail] with "info comix-biz" in the message.
# Postings must go to [e-mail] -- replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

End of comix-biz Digest V2 #3
*****************************

To subscribe to comix-biz Digest, send the command:

    subscribe comix-biz-digest

in the body of a message to "[e-mail]".  If you want to
subscribe something other than the account the mail is coming from, such
as a local redistribution list, then append that address to the
"subscribe" command; for example, to subscribe "local-comix-biz":

    subscribe comix-biz-digest [e-mail]

A non-digest (direct mail) version of this list is also available; to
subscribe to that instead, replace all instances of "comix-biz-digest"
in the commands above with "comix-biz".

Back issues are available for anonymous FTP from ftp.xmission.com, in
pub/lists/comix-biz/archive.  These are organized by date.