I really have no idea how the Marvel deals work. "X-men: First Class" uses Marvel characters that were created after the initial X-men movie deal was struck... Did they need special permission to use them, or do they automatically get the rights to any X-men characters Marvel creates until the end of time? I can understand why Marvel would not be eager to publish an FF comicbook if they are essentially acting as a free concept house for Fox Studios whenever they create anything within those books.

A couple of years ago I recall Hatman and myself having a conversation about how such concerns could lead to a massive homogenization of the Marvel Universe, making everyone an Avenger and allowing them to use them all but keeping all storylines and new characters now within "Avengers" books so that they retain the rights to such material. It's looking more and more like such a thing has come true.




Now that could really be something. I somehow doubt grim and gritty DC will ever be getting around to Mr. Mxyzpltk or whatever his name is.




While I agree, I actually like how they've worked out a motivation for him within that alternate take... He's pretty much driven by arrogance and ego, but not any outright malevolence. He either sacrifices his chances of getting home (which would be giving up... something he wouldn't do) and Earth stays safe, or he uses the resources he has available to him, which means all of the Earth is at stake but that just requires him to kill Galactus and problem solved. Everything he does once the plan is in motion, from conquering his home nation to forcibly acquiring the tech he needs is all in the service of protecting the Earth at that point. Sure, he's the one who put it in danger... but that's really all Richard's fault.

As I understand it, in the film they made he's just plain crazy and wants to destroy the Earth because he's the villain.

Apparently the big rumor today was that Fox and Marvel had cut a deal to return the property early. I guess it was categorically denied, unfortunately... although realistically, I can't imagine they'd ever announce any such deal until after Fox had a chance to make as much as they could from the DVD sales of their last film.