#nft space

Welcome back to my blog here on Tumblr! The blog rolls along with a new and exciting week of content. Today I will be taking a look at the following news story:

Patriots' Julian Edelman to offer trading card, comic book NFTs with some proceeds going to charities

By Ryan Gaydos

From: https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/patriots-julian-edelman-rading-card-comic-book-nfts

It’s not everyday you see athletes and nerds coming together to share a common interest. That goes against the laws of every 1980s movie ever. However, Julian Edelman is looking to change that narrative.

According to Ryan Gaydos (2021), “New England Patriots star Julian Edelman is in the non-fungible token (NFT) game, with a portion of the proceeds going to charities. He will release Incredelman Comic Books, which are inspired by key moments of his career. There will be 30 individually numbered comic book covers and three unique Super Bowl editions.” This project is significant to note because it represents a supertrend outlined by Edward Cornish. Edelman’s latest venture represents the economic growth supertrend. The increasing value of the NFL media rights packages have increased the total revenue for the league and its teams. Per the league’s collective bargaining agreement, player salaries are capped by a percentage of total revenue. In order for player salaries and the salary cap to rise, the league must make more money as a whole. As a result of this economic growth, players like Edelman have the money to launch a venture of this nature. It will be interesting to see how many other NFL players look to break into the NFT space by launching comics.

Additionally, this series has raised a copyright question that I’d like to explore. Traditionally, the NFL and other sports leagues have always owned the rights to broadcasts and other associated intellectual property. Edelman’s comics will surely draw from NFL images and intellectual property in order to tell the story of his remarkable career. Will the NFL look to share in the revenue here? How about the Patriots and Edelman’s teammates whose likenesses are being used in the NFTs? The answers to these questions will shape and influence the future of any related projects in this space. We may not have the answers to these questions immediately. However, one thing is clear, don’t piss off Bill Belichick!

Welcome back to my blog here on Tumblr! The blog rolls along with a new and exciting week of content. Today I will be taking a look at the following news story:

People on the Move: Jeff Boison joins Fragment Studios as COO

By Heidi MacDonald

From: https://www.comicsbeat.com/people-on-the-move-jeff-boison-joins-fragment-studios-as-coo/

There are a few names that every comic book fan is undoubtedly aware of to a strong degree. Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Bob Kane may come to mind. However, there many other important figures behind the scenes that shape how we interact with and experience comic books. I’m here to talk about another important figure in comics: Jeff Boison.

According to Heidi MacDonald (2022), “Jeff Boison, formerly of Image Comics (director of sales and publishing planning) and DC Comics (vp of publishing planning and collected editions), has announced his new gig at Fragment Studios. This follows his departure from Image earlier this year when his involvement in an NFT variant cover drew criticism. Boison is sticking in the Web3 space for now, joining Fragment as COO, where he’ll be tasked with building out the studio’s NFT-based IP into storytelling narratives and leveraging them for multi media exposure.” This news is significant because it demonstrates a shift in the eyes of thought leaders in the comics industry. Boison has been a major player in the world of DC Comics characters including Superman, The Flash and Wonder Woman. This news represents one of Edward Cornish’s media supertrends, economic growth. It would have been understandable if Boison wanted to remain with DC or Image because they are successful and established brands. However, the overall growth of the economy in the 21st century has allowed for new media ventures to find success. Ideally, Boison will utilize his experience in traditional comic publishing to create a viable enterprise based on Web3 comic publication and NFTs. Without a viable path to economic growth and opportunity, such a venture may not possible or backed by such an experienced industry leader.

Additionally, MacDonald (2022) notes “Throughout his career, Boison has remained committed to promoting creators and artists by working to successfully bring their art to as wide an audience as possible, especially in his former role at Image Comics, a publisher established thirty years ago by creators and for creators. He brings this mindset into the world of NFTs, a space known to empower artists and creators in unprecedented ways.” Once again, this story reflects the ideas of Cornish. Cornish’s final super trend is the idea of increasing deculturation. The media industry is a point of critical importance. Due to continued deculturation, media companies must adjust to audience demands brought on by changing culture. Boison has long recognized the importance of the rights of creators and audience members. Both sides have been looking for a more equitable distribution of ownership and revenues. The traditional top-down culture of control seems to be fading away. Boison and Fragment Studios are well positioned to stay ahead of the curve.

Welcome back to my blog here on Tumblr! The blog rolls along with a new and exciting week of content. Today I will be taking a look at the following news story:

Method Man Created an NFT ‘Mefaverse’ That Includes a Method Man Comic Book

By Chris Malone

From: https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/method-man-enters-metaverse-one-kind-graphic-novel.html/

The saying goes that “Wu-Tang is Forever.” Now, that saying just might be even closer to the truth thanks to Method Man’s latest project. Much like Eminem and Snoop Dogg, the famous rapper is moving to the blockchain environment for his latest project. (Spoiler Alert: It’s a Comic Book.)

According to Chris Malone (2022), “In January 2022, Method Man announced that he was getting into the world of NFTs with the creation of Mefaverse, a platform for creating and distributing NFTs and exclusive content. The name is drawn from his nickname Mef, which he’s referenced before on songs such as “Dirty Mef” and “M.E.F.” “We wanted to provide a safe place for everyone interested in all things hip-hop, comic books, skateboarding, gaming, Web 3.0, and, of course, art,” he added of his intentions. “Times are different today than when I was coming up. Be proud of your nerdism and wear it on your chest! I know I am.”

Method Man’s quotes are really interesting to note. His philosophy on the subject reflects the notion that Marshall McLuhan famously said “We shape our tools and then our tools shape us.” Writers have told iconic stories through the comic book medium for nearly a century at this point. These stories and characters have gone on to become permanent staples in American popular culture. The attachment that fans have to the medium of comics and the visual storytelling has shaped the desire to create a more equitable industry for artists and fans alike. Method Man has experienced this throughout his career in the music industry. His new project reflects his desire to utilize new technology to reshape how comics are created and distributed.

Additionally, Malone (2022) adds a quote from Method Man, “The higher-ups, the so-called gatekeepers didn’t have much use for a 44-year-old rapper,” he said. “I guess my background turned some people off. Some people aren’t willing to give you a chance, especially when you’ve already had one and you kind of squandered it.” The notion of gatekeepers in media is nothing new. Whether it’s the FCC controlling what you see on television, newspaper editors determining what stories you see or search engines controlling results, average media consumers are constantly limited. However, a blockchain project such as the Mefaverse eliminates the concern of gatekeepers. This represents one of the media supertrends outlined by Edward Cornish. Cornish argues that there is an ongoing rise in technological progress in society. The creation of blockchain technology exemplifies this trend. Without this progress, gatekeepers would retain the control over the media industry that they have had for decades. Consumers should celebrate the element of control and choice tilting in their direction.