Archie Comics' Metroid (partially found production material from cancelled comic book one-shot and mini-series based on video game; 2009): Difference between revisions
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{{InfoboxLost | {{InfoboxLost | ||
|title=<center>Archie Comics' Metroid</center> | |title=<center>Archie Comics' Metroid</center> | ||
|image= | |image=Archiesamus.jpeg | ||
|imagecaption=Concept art of Samus | |imagecaption=Concept art of Samus in the Varia Suit by Tracy Yardley. | ||
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span> | |status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span> | ||
}} | }} | ||
''Metroid'' is one of Nintendo's most iconic video game series and helped create the Metroidvania genre. '''Nintendo invited Archie Comics to pitch a comic book based on the series but it ultimately never came to be'''.<ref name=":0">[https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1170362648770334721?s=20 Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (2/13).] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref> | |||
''Metroid'' is one of Nintendo's most iconic video game series and helped create the Metroidvania genre. | [[File:MOM boxart.png|alt=|thumb|254x254px|''Metroid: Other M'' retail box art]] | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
In 2009 Archie Comics pitched a comic book mini-series based on the ''Super Mario'' franchise. It didn't end panning out, but Nintendo offered them the chance to pitch comics for three other Nintendo franchises those being, ''Metroid'', ''Kirby'', and ''Fossil Fighters''.<ref name=":0" /> These franchises were likely chosen as they are lesser-known than Super Mario. They also all had games coming up in the next two years, with ''Metroid: Other M'' and ''Fossil Fighters: Champions'' Japanese release coming out in late 2010 and ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' and ''Fossil Fighters: Champions'' American release coming out in late 2011. Pitches for ''Metroid'' and ''Kirby'' comics were created, although not much about the Kirby pitch and no formal pitch for a ''Fossil Fighters'' comic was made.<ref name=":0" /> The ''Metroid'' pitch was written by Ian Flynn<ref name=":1">https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1170362653841285120?s=20</ref> with concept art by Tracy Yardley | In 2009 Archie Comics pitched a comic book mini-series based on the ''Super Mario'' franchise. It didn't end up panning out, but Nintendo offered them the chance to pitch comics for three other Nintendo franchises those being, ''Metroid'', ''Kirby'', and ''Fossil Fighters''.<ref name=":0" /> These franchises were likely chosen as they are lesser-known than ''Super Mario''. They also all had games coming up in the next two years, with ''Metroid: Other M'' and ''Fossil Fighters: Champions'' Japanese release coming out in late 2010 and ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' and ''Fossil Fighters: Champions'' American release coming out in late 2011. Pitches for ''Metroid'' and ''Kirby'' comics were created, although not much about the ''Kirby'' pitch and no formal pitch for a ''Fossil Fighters'' comic was made.<ref name=":0" /> The ''Metroid'' pitch was written by Ian Flynn<ref name=":1">[https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1170362653841285120?s=20 Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (4/13).] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref> with concept art by Tracy Yardley and Steven Butler.<ref name=":2">[https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1330811763633063&id=119728514741400 Steven Butler Facebook post on the Archie Comics ''Metroid'' concept art.] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref> The ''Metroid'' and ''Kirby'' pitches both ended up fizzling out with Archie successfully obtaining the rights to produce comics based off of the ''Mega Man'' series from Capcom instead.<ref name=":2" /> | ||
== Story == | ==Story== | ||
In 2019 Flynn broke down the three separate story pitches he made in a Twitter thread. | In 2019 Flynn broke down the three separate story pitches he made in a Twitter thread. | ||
=== First Pitch === | ===First Pitch=== | ||
The story would have been a one-shot that takes place after ''Metroid: Fusion'' with "over-arching themes of humanity, self-identity, and loneliness."<ref name=":1" /> In Flynn's own words<blockquote>"The first pitch was a stand-alone & had her infiltrate a high society event on a contract to take out a weapons dealer. She used her normal appearance as a smoke-screen - just some human in a dress (Zero Suit). Thoughts of predators using natural camo. The dealer is a Shadow Broker type of alien with a thing for humans. One of his bodyguards gets tipped off it's Samus and they open fire. Samus activates the Power Suit and wipes the floor with them while the dealer runs for it. Sames gives chase. The dealer has escaped to his personal gunship and tries to blast Samus, collateral damage be damned. Samus, being the walking arsenal she is, eventually takes down the gunship and bring the deal in."<ref>https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1170362657674858497?s=20</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1170362659608416259?s=20</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/ | The story would have been a one-shot that takes place after ''Metroid: Fusion'' with "over-arching themes of humanity, self-identity, and loneliness."<ref name=":1" /> In Flynn's own words <blockquote>"The first pitch was a stand-alone & had her infiltrate a high society event on a contract to take out a weapons dealer. She used her normal appearance as a smoke-screen - just some human in a dress (Zero Suit). Thoughts of predators using natural camo. The dealer is a Shadow Broker type of alien with a thing for humans. One of his bodyguards gets tipped off it's Samus and they open fire. Samus activates the Power Suit and wipes the floor with them while the dealer runs for it. Sames gives chase. The dealer has escaped to his personal gunship and tries to blast Samus, collateral damage be damned. Samus, being the walking arsenal she is, eventually takes down the gunship and bring the deal in."<ref>[https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1170362657674858497?s=20 Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (6/13).] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1170362659608416259?s=20 Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (7/13).] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref></blockquote> Even though Flynn thought the pitch had "a nice balance of character, intrigue, world building and bombastic action" Nintendo passed on it. | ||
===Second Pitch=== | |||
[[File:Metroidinteriorpanel.jpeg|thumb|320x320px|Interior panel depicting a battle between Samus and Ridley by Tracy Yardley.|alt=]] | |||
This would have been a mini-series exploring similar themes to the last pitch as well as the trademark exploration the series is known for, a "One Girl Against the World scenario."<ref name=":3">[https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1170362666923245569?s=20 Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (11/13).] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref> Flynn described the story as <blockquote>"Samus called in to investigate unusually hostile mega-fauna on a [Galactic Federation] research world. Turns out the scientists were doing something sketchy to the wild life, Man's Hubris, yadda yadda, Samus fights man and beast alike."<ref>[https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1170362665006485504?s=20 Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (10/13).] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref></blockquote>The story would have featured a lot of moments to dwell on the art and setting. This pitch was also rejected as it was seen as too complicated.<ref name=":3" /> | |||
=== | ===Third Pitch=== | ||
The third pitch would have been an adaption of the original ''Metroid'' game, but the project fizzled out before the pitch could get anywhere.<ref>[https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1170362668936572928?s=20 Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (12/13).] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref> | |||
== | ==Know Production Materials== | ||
Even though the plots for all three pitches are known, it's unclear if Flynn ever penned a proper script. In addition, a user going by Jeff Carson posted some of Tracy Yardley's concept art to ComicArtFans in late 2012. Later in 2017, Steven Butler posted some of his concept art to the Steven Butler Studios's Facebook page. It's unknown if more concept art exists. | |||
== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | |||
File:Archieotherm.jpeg|Concept art featuring Samus in her military uniform and Varia Suit from ''Metroid: Other M'' alongside her gunship by Tracy Yardley. | File:Archieotherm.jpeg|Concept art featuring Samus in her military uniform and Varia Suit from ''Metroid: Other M'' alongside her gunship by Tracy Yardley. | ||
File:Archiesamus2.jpeg|Concept art featuring Samus in various action poses by Tracy Yardley. | File:Archiesamus2.jpeg|Concept art featuring Samus in various action poses by Tracy Yardley. | ||
File:Archiesamusvridley.jpg|Concept art depicting a battle between Samus and Ridley by Steven Butler. | File:Archiesamusvridley.jpg|Concept art depicting a battle between Samus and Ridley by Steven Butler. | ||
File:Archiesamus4.jpg|Concept art featuring Samus charging a Charge Shot towards the camera. | File:Archiesamus3.jpg|Concept art of Samus by Steven Butler. It depicts her in her military uniform, Zero Suit, and Varia Suit from both ''Metroid: Other M'' and the ''Metroid Prime'' series. | ||
File:Archiesamus4.jpg|Concept art featuring Samus charging a Charge Shot towards the camera by Steven Butler. | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== See | ==See Also== | ||
*[[Archie Comics' Super Mario (partially found production material from cancelled comic book mini-series based on video game; 2009)]] | |||
*[[Metroid Dread (lost early Nintendo DS build of Switch action-adventure game; mid-2000s)]] | |||
*[[Metroid II: Return of Samus DX (lost build of unfinished Game Boy Color remake of game; existence unconfirmed; 1990s)]] | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
[[Category:Lost comics]] | [[Category:Lost comics]] | ||
[[Category:Partially found media]] | |||
Latest revision as of 07:29, 25 April 2023
Concept art of Samus in the Varia Suit by Tracy Yardley.
Status: Partially Found
Metroid is one of Nintendo's most iconic video game series and helped create the Metroidvania genre. Nintendo invited Archie Comics to pitch a comic book based on the series but it ultimately never came to be.[1]
Background
In 2009 Archie Comics pitched a comic book mini-series based on the Super Mario franchise. It didn't end up panning out, but Nintendo offered them the chance to pitch comics for three other Nintendo franchises those being, Metroid, Kirby, and Fossil Fighters.[1] These franchises were likely chosen as they are lesser-known than Super Mario. They also all had games coming up in the next two years, with Metroid: Other M and Fossil Fighters: Champions Japanese release coming out in late 2010 and Kirby's Return to Dream Land and Fossil Fighters: Champions American release coming out in late 2011. Pitches for Metroid and Kirby comics were created, although not much about the Kirby pitch and no formal pitch for a Fossil Fighters comic was made.[1] The Metroid pitch was written by Ian Flynn[2] with concept art by Tracy Yardley and Steven Butler.[3] The Metroid and Kirby pitches both ended up fizzling out with Archie successfully obtaining the rights to produce comics based off of the Mega Man series from Capcom instead.[3]
Story
In 2019 Flynn broke down the three separate story pitches he made in a Twitter thread.
First Pitch
The story would have been a one-shot that takes place after Metroid: Fusion with "over-arching themes of humanity, self-identity, and loneliness."[2] In Flynn's own words
"The first pitch was a stand-alone & had her infiltrate a high society event on a contract to take out a weapons dealer. She used her normal appearance as a smoke-screen - just some human in a dress (Zero Suit). Thoughts of predators using natural camo. The dealer is a Shadow Broker type of alien with a thing for humans. One of his bodyguards gets tipped off it's Samus and they open fire. Samus activates the Power Suit and wipes the floor with them while the dealer runs for it. Sames gives chase. The dealer has escaped to his personal gunship and tries to blast Samus, collateral damage be damned. Samus, being the walking arsenal she is, eventually takes down the gunship and bring the deal in."[4][5]
Even though Flynn thought the pitch had "a nice balance of character, intrigue, world building and bombastic action" Nintendo passed on it.
Second Pitch
This would have been a mini-series exploring similar themes to the last pitch as well as the trademark exploration the series is known for, a "One Girl Against the World scenario."[6] Flynn described the story as
"Samus called in to investigate unusually hostile mega-fauna on a [Galactic Federation] research world. Turns out the scientists were doing something sketchy to the wild life, Man's Hubris, yadda yadda, Samus fights man and beast alike."[7]
The story would have featured a lot of moments to dwell on the art and setting. This pitch was also rejected as it was seen as too complicated.[6]
Third Pitch
The third pitch would have been an adaption of the original Metroid game, but the project fizzled out before the pitch could get anywhere.[8]
Know Production Materials
Even though the plots for all three pitches are known, it's unclear if Flynn ever penned a proper script. In addition, a user going by Jeff Carson posted some of Tracy Yardley's concept art to ComicArtFans in late 2012. Later in 2017, Steven Butler posted some of his concept art to the Steven Butler Studios's Facebook page. It's unknown if more concept art exists.
Gallery
Concept art featuring Samus in her military uniform and Varia Suit from Metroid: Other M alongside her gunship by Tracy Yardley.
Concept art featuring Samus in various action poses by Tracy Yardley.
Concept art depicting a battle between Samus and Ridley by Steven Butler.
Concept art of Samus by Steven Butler. It depicts her in her military uniform, Zero Suit, and Varia Suit from both Metroid: Other M and the Metroid Prime series.
Concept art featuring Samus charging a Charge Shot towards the camera by Steven Butler.
See Also
- Archie Comics' Super Mario (partially found production material from cancelled comic book mini-series based on video game; 2009)
- Metroid Dread (lost early Nintendo DS build of Switch action-adventure game; mid-2000s)
- Metroid II: Return of Samus DX (lost build of unfinished Game Boy Color remake of game; existence unconfirmed; 1990s)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (2/13). Retrieved 15 Jan '22
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (4/13). Retrieved 15 Jan '22
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Steven Butler Facebook post on the Archie Comics Metroid concept art. Retrieved 15 Jan '22
- ↑ Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (6/13). Retrieved 15 Jan '22
- ↑ Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (7/13). Retrieved 15 Jan '22
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (11/13). Retrieved 15 Jan '22
- ↑ Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (10/13). Retrieved 15 Jan '22
- ↑ Ian Flynn's tweet on the Nintendo Archie comics pitches (12/13). Retrieved 15 Jan '22