Marvel's 616

Marvel's 616 is an anthology documentary television series by Marvel New Media and Supper Club for Disney+[1] that premiered on November 20, 2020.[2][3] The name "616" refers to Earth-616, the fictional universe in which Marvel Comics is set. It is also referred to in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On November 20, executive producer Joe Quesada said that it was "definitely" possible that the show could be renewed for a second season.[4] The show has not yet been officially renewed for season two, though.[5]

Marvel's 616
GenreAnthology series
Documentary
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Amanda Rohlke
  • Sarah Regan
  • Juliette Eisner
DistributorDisney Media Distribution
Release
Original networkDisney+
Original releaseNovember 20, 2020 (2020-11-20)

Each episode focuses on a different interesting aspect of the Marvel Universe; for example, the first episode of the series is about the Japanese version of Spider-Man (Supaidāman).[6] Other episodes revolve around Marvel cosplay, Marvel action figures, and even a Marvel Comics-themed musical.[7] The show was also generally well received, with reviewers appreciating the style and tone of the series.[8]

Premise

Marvel's 616 portrays eight amazing stories illustrating some of the most interesting and unknown pockets of the Marvel Universe. It also explores the universe's "rich legacy of pioneering characters, creators, and storytelling to reflect the world outside your window."[9]

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byOriginal release date
1"Japanese Spider-Man"David GelbNovember 20, 2020 (November 20, 2020)
Gene Pelc describes how, when he traveled to Japan, he saw a multitude of manga comics, but was concerned because there were no Marvel comics. He called up Marvel creator Stan Lee, and pitched the idea to him to make comics to sell in Japan that were more styled to what the Japanese wanted, with fewer words and more action than the American comics. These new comics became popular enough that fifty episodes of a new television series, Supaidāman, were ordered, with Shinji Tôdô playing the lead role. This new version of Spider-Man was vastly different from the original, and though Supaidāman's looks and all of his powers were identical, most of the characters were different. Tôdô reveals that before shooting the series, the cast all got together to watch the American Spider-Man film. Tôdô loved it, and felt that the characters were "so human," while others (like critic Kōsei Ono) were not as into it.
2"Higher, Further, Faster"Gillian JacobsNovember 20, 2020 (November 20, 2020)
Gillian Jacobs interviews women about their thoughts on Marvel comics, and how most of the women there were white and such. Sara Amanat talks about how she always wanted to join her brothers when they were doing things together, and how they introduced her to the Marvel world. Other women also discuss women in comics. The rest of the episode dives deeper into the topic until, in the 1950's, comic books were "accused of endangering America's youth." Some comics were even taken to court, until it was decided that, going forward, there would be a code to determine which comic books were appropriate enough to sell in store. This development was a setback for Marvel comics because they mostly wrote about action, and fight scenes, and even death. Almost half of the people who had been reading Marvel comics at the time dropped out of the obsession, and comic companies dropped like flies.
3"Amazing Artisans"Clay JeterNovember 20, 2020 (November 20, 2020)
Different kinds of artists from all walks of life, from different backgrounds have drawn amazing comics. It started as "a bunch of white guys in New York City" who drew what was around them, and now that comics have branched off into so many walks of life, the comics are more diverse as well. Comics like Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur were created by normal people who practiced drawing and became Marvel artists. Artists make relatable characters; for example, Spider-Man has many traits that make him seem more human, and that readers can identify with. The episode goes more into how comic book artists have evolved since Stan Lee and others first created Marvel, and then focuses on the recent diversity in comic books, due to diverse authors writing stories, comics, and more, that all children can relate to.
4"Lost & Found"Paul ScheerNovember 20, 2020 (November 20, 2020)
Episode director Paul Scheer pitches Marvel's 616 to Disney+ and struggles to find an episode plot. When he interviews Donny Cates and Gerry Duggan, he discovers a multitude of Marvel characters who barely got more than 10 comic issues and were never seen or heard from again, including Doctor Druid, who was given powers by Doctor Strange to leave him alone, or The Whizzer, who could run so fast he could create tornados with his speed. Villains even include Typeface, a sign-maker who got fired from his job and who has literal writing on his face. Soon, Scheer becomes obsessed with Brute Force, a four-issue Marvel comic series that begins with a group of animals being equipped with mech suits so they can fight crimes and be environmental activists. Scheer sets out to find Bob Budiansky, the editor of Brute Force, and other influential Marvel editors.
5"Suit Up!"Andrew RossiNovember 20, 2020 (November 20, 2020)
6"Unboxed"Sarah RamosNovember 20, 2020 (November 20, 2020)
7"The Marvel Method"Brian OakesNovember 20, 2020 (November 20, 2020)
8"Marvel Spotlight"Alison BrieNovember 20, 2020 (November 20, 2020)

Production

Production took place under the supervision of Marvel New Media and Supper Club.[10] The show was announced along with Marvel's Hero Project, another Marvel documentary series, which was to be released when Disney+ was launched in November 2019.[11] In addition, on November 21, 2020, a day after the series premiered, one poster for each episode was revealed.[12] The entirety of the series, eight episodes, was released on November 20, 2020,[13] on Disney+.[14]

Notable directors from the series include Marvel Comics collaborator and actor Paul Scheer[15] and Community's Gillian Jacobs, who also acted in the third reboot of The Twilight Zone and Mike McMahan's Rick and Morty. In addition, Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee appears through archival footage. Many guest stars appear in the series in interviews, such as Sara Amanat and Lorraine Cink.[16] The day that the first season premiered on Disney+, executive producer Joe Quesada noted that a second season of the show was "definitely" possible.[4]

Reception

The first season has been well received by critics; however some sites, like CBR.com, disliked the series, saying the content is "superficial and bland, even if it’s easy to watch thanks to the slick, engaging production".[17][18] The A.V. Club said that the show "seem[ed] like it could be excruciating" on paper, but called the show heartwarming and fun after it was released on Disney+.[8] Cosplay Central reviewed the fifth episode of the series, entitled "Suit Up!", which talked about cosplay and Marvel costumes.

They noted that the episode was "truly special" because it highlighted five New York Comic Con cosplayers, including StrongInCostume and ZiaCosplay.[19] CNET pointed out in their review that certain fans of Marvel questioned Marvel's decision to feature Dan Slott in episode seven, "The Marvel Method," as the episode depicts him writing very slowly and putting those who work around him in dire situations by doing this, and some readers wondered if Slott was even working, or just slacking off.[20]

References
  1. https://www.marvel.com/amp/articles/tv-shows/marvel-hero-project-616-heading-to-disney-plus
  2. "How to watch Marvel's 616". Radio Times. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  3. https://www.marvel.com/articles/tv-shows/marvel-s-616-will-premiere-on-november-20-exclusively-on-disney
  4. "Marvel's 616 exec says there's "definitely" scope for a second season". Radio Times. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  5. "Should We Expect Marvel's 616 Season 2 on Disney+?". premieredate.news. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  6. "Learn about comics' real-life impact with exclusive trailer for 'Marvel's 616' documentary series". EW.com. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  7. "Marvel's 616". Marvel Database. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  8. "Review: Marvel's 616". TV Club. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  9. "Marvel's 616 (2020) | Documentary Series | Synopsis, Trailer, Clips & Latest News | Marvel | Marvel". Marvel Entertainment. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  10. "Marvel's 616 (2020) | Documentary Series | Synopsis, Trailer, Clips & Latest News | Marvel | Marvel". Marvel Entertainment. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  11. "Earn Points for Marvel Insider This Week with Marvel's Gold, Silver and Bronze Ages". Marvel Entertainment. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  12. "New Marvel's 616 Episode Posters Revealed".
  13. "Marvel's 616 (2020) | Documentary Series | Synopsis, Trailer, Clips & Latest News | Marvel | Marvel". Marvel Entertainment. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  14. "How to watch Marvel's 616". Radio Times. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  15. Marvel 616 (TV Series 2020– ) - IMDb, retrieved November 19, 2020
  16. Rossi, Andrew (November 20, 2020), Suit Up! (Documentary), Lorraine Cink, Drea Letamendi, Judy Stephens, Marvel Entertainment, Marvel New Media, Supper Club, retrieved December 1, 2020
  17. "Marvel's 616: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  18. "REVIEW: Marvel's 616 Is a Glossy, Superficial Disney+ Documentary Series". CBR. November 16, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  19. "Disney's New Marvel Documentary Series Highlights Cosplayers". Cosplay Central. November 23, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  20. Trenholm, Richard. "Why Marvel 616 documentary on Disney Plus is angering some comics fans". CNET. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
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