Wizards Cuts Pay for Artists as an Homage to Marvel Comics History
SEATTLE, WA — To coincide with the upcoming Universes Beyond: Marvel Super Heroes, Wizards of the Coast has announced a very special homage to Marvel Comics History. They have chosen to cut the pay of all of their artists in half. It’s only one of several changes the company is making to honor the exploited artists who made Marvel a beloved universe.
Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast, announced the homage at a PR event for the upcoming set, released minutes after Secrets of Strixhaven. “Like the various companies that have owned Marvel Comics over the years, we love and appreciate the profits our artists generate. We took great pains to ensure our artists were treated just like Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.”
While the pay cut was the highlight of the announcement, other details have also been changed to fit the Marvel theme. Every card will now prominently feature Stan Lee’s name printed directly on top of the artist’s credit. A Disney executive has assured fans that this credit doesn’t mean any of the profits will go to Lee’s family.
Hiring a reduced art team, Wizards has moved much of the work typically associated with game design to the art team, as a nod to the classic Marvel Method. One member of the art team described the new production method for us: “They had the entire art team work in a cramped room. A sign on the door said The Bull Pen, but it was just a supply closet. They insisted it had to be filled with cigar smoke at all times, even though no one on the team smokes. Every morning, someone from design would come in and tell us, ‘make some Iron Men today’ or ‘there should be a card called Kapow or something like that,’ then they’d leave and expect a finished card by the end of the day.”
“We know what Marvel fans love,” Mark Rosewater posted on his MySpace account after the official announcement. “The fans want to feel connected to the rich history of Marvel comics. Making evocative cards for something like that is really hard, so instead we’ve opted to focus on the brand’s labor history. What better way to honor beloved comic creators than recreating the conditions that drove them out of the industry or into early graves?”
More homages to the iconic comic company are expected in the coming days. “Let’s just say I wouldn’t look for any artists selling their originals anytime soon,” an anonymous source who works for Wizards of the Coast told our reporters with a knowing wink. “Oh, and make sure to keep an eye on social media for a prominent artist’s GoFundMe.”
This new approach to Universes Beyond is expected to return in future Universes Beyond sets. Business insiders have shared that there are deals in the works with DC Comics, Blizzard Entertainment, and Amazon.
