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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''Metroid'' is one of Nintendo's most iconic video game series and helped create the Metroidvania genre. '''In 2009 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. '''In 2009 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>
[[File:MOM boxart.png|alt=|left|thumb|267x267px|''Metroid: Other M'' retail box art]]


==Background==
==Background==
[[File:Archieotherm.jpeg|left|thumb|367x367px|Concept art featuring Samus in her military uniform and Varia Suit from ''Metroid: Other M'' alongside her gunship 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" />
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" />


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===First Pitch===
===First Pitch===
[[File:Archiesamus4.jpg|thumb|Concept art featuring Samus charging a Charge Shot towards the camera.]]
 


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.
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===
===Second Pitch===
[[File:Metroidinteriorpanel.jpeg|left|thumb|320x320px|Interior panel depicting a battle between Samus and Ridley by Tracy Yardley.]]
[[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" />
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" />
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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px>
<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: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: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: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>



Revision as of 05:56, 16 January 2022

Archiesamus.jpeg

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. In 2009 Nintendo invited Archie Comics to pitch a comic book based on the series but it ultimately never came to be.[1]

Metroid: Other M retail box art

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

Interior panel depicting a battle between Samus and Ridley by Tracy Yardley.

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 Steven Butler Studios's Facebook page. It's unknown if more concept art exists.

Gallery

See Also

References