Earlier this year, WEBTOON collaborated with IDW to bring the world Godzilla: Unnatural Disasters, They Call Us Enemy (a story by George Takei), and Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees. It looks like WEBTOON's idea of bringing more comics to the world wasn't going to stop with IDW.
"We’re thrilled to kick off this collaboration with iconic series from their comic book catalog – and this is just the start! Together, we’re bringing this legendary storytelling to a new generation of mobile-native comic fans, while giving existing fans a new way to experience series and characters they love," Yongsoo Kim teased.
According to their press release, Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider-Man (2022-present), Avengers (2012), Star Wars (2015), and Alien (2021), along with Disney As Old As Time: A Twisted Tale, are also coming to their internationally known website. Daniel Fink, SVP, Head of Digital Innovation, Disney Consumer Products, said, "We look forward to engaging with their dedicated, global user base while welcoming future fans to experience a redefined form of Disney storytelling that will have a lasting impact in the digital comics space.”
If you're not sold on these choices (even though you should be), allow me to explain why these are the perfect comic books for WEBTOON to add.
Amazing Spider-Man (2022-present)
This run of Amazing Spider-Man was controversial and left fans divided about how they felt. It had the break-up of Mary Jane and Peter Parker and introduced a character that fans hated. However, it was a top-selling comic book throughout its run. Thanks to WEBTOON, you can read the series and decide for yourself if this is a classic or not.
Avengers (2012)
Jonathan Hickman's run of Avengers is among the most emotional series ever. Among those moments is what happens to Steve Rogers. You'll watch him go through physical and emotional transformations as he and Tony Stark try something new with the Avengers. When it's all over, you get an ending that's among the most satisfying. Along the way, you'll laugh, cry, and become frustrated with a lot of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
Speaking of heroes, there are more of them in this series than ever. Their roster isn't as deep as the X-Men's (no team is), but you'll notice that Tony Stark's new initiative has a plan for everything. Or was that Iron Man's true goal to begin with?
Star Wars (2015)
This writer is a moderate fan of the Star Wars movies, but a huge one of what they’ve done in the Marvel Comics. Every writer of this series brilliantly told stories that couldn’t be shown in the movies. Meanwhile, the artists made the universe come to life.
Marvel Comics' Star Wars left people wanting to see more of the characters than ever before. And, along the way, you’ll meet new characters (like *gasp* Han Solo’s wife) and have a better appreciation for the classic ones (Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader are better in the comics). This could be the best addition on this list.
Alien (2021)
As if you needed more of a reason to be scared of the Xenomorphs, writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Incredible Hulk) and artist Salvador Larroca (Uncanny X-Men) add a new level of terror to the movies' alien apex predator. Like with Marvel Comics' Star Wars, you're getting tales not told in movies with new characters. Plus, since it's a comic book, you're going to see the Xenomorph do things they couldn't, even with advanced CGI.
Disney As Old As Time: A Twisted Tale
Darker tales of childhood stories are always interesting. In this case, there's Beauty and the Beast. Instead of the well-known story told for decades, a new question is asked: "What if Belle’s mother cursed the Beast,"?
Even if you're not a fan of Beauty and the Beast, you have to admit that Disney As Old As Time: A Twisted Tale sounds interesting. Who knows if this ends in happiness, tragedy, or Belle marrying the Beast instead of the human? Thankfully, it's available on WEBTOON.
But wait, there's more!
WEBTOON is adding video episodes. Yongsoo Kim, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global WEBTOON, said, "With Video Episodes, we’re making web comics watchable, expanding how fans can enjoy WEBTOON series with a feature that can deepen engagement, help Creators reach more users, and deliver a new medium for amazing stories.” These videos are,
- Angel of Death
- Do You Like Tomboys?
- Down to Earth
- Jackson’s Diary
- Love 4 a Walk
- Morgana and Oz
- Osora
- Red Spine
- SHIRAI
- Star Catcher
- Suitor Armor
- The Mafia Nanny
- Vampire Family
Everything mentioned is great for creators looking to bring their content to the world, and for people looking for easier ways to read comics. And with the world changing how comic book content is consumed, making things more accessible for the creators and consumers, is a brilliant idea.
Thanks for reading. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow’s social media sites, Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter for more WEBTOON news, opinions, and rumors as they come out.