It’s Superbowl Sunday, the biggest football day of the year for fans to enjoy, and here at Fandom Pulse, we’re opening our long boxes to talk about Marvel Comics’ attempt to capture the football market in their New Universe with the short-lived “Kickers, Inc.” comic.
“Kickers, Inc.” was a unique concept in the world of comics, blending the adrenaline-fueled action of professional football with the superhero genre. As part of Marvel Comics’ ambitious New Universe imprint, launched in the mid-1980s, “Kickers, Inc.” aimed to offer readers a fresh take on superhero storytelling by grounding its characters in a more realistic and contemporary setting.
The premise of “Kickers, Inc.” centered around a group of former professional football players who, after their sports careers ended, formed a team of mercenaries for hire. Led by the charismatic and resourceful former quarterback, Jack Magniconte, the team utilized their athletic skills, strategic prowess, and unique abilities to take on various missions and challenges. Whether it was battling criminals, thwarting terrorist plots, or tackling otherworldly threats, the members of Kickers, Inc. brought their gridiron grit to every adventure.
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Marvel’s New Universe initiative had ambitious plans to create a fresh and modern superhero universe that reflected the real world more closely than its mainstream counterparts. “Kickers, Inc.” was envisioned as one of the flagship titles of this new universe, offering readers a compelling blend of sports drama, action-packed heroics, and character-driven storytelling.
The creative team behind “Kickers, Inc.” included writer Tom DeFalco and artist Ron Frenz, both of whom were highly respected talents in the comic book industry. DeFalco, known for his work on titles like “Spider-Man” and “Fantastic Four,” brought his signature blend of humor, drama, and dynamic storytelling to the series. Frenz’s dynamic artwork captured the intensity of football games and the thrill of superhero battles, immersing readers in the high-stakes world of Kickers, Inc.
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Despite the pedigree of its creative team, “Kickers, Inc.” failed to capture the imagination of readers in the same way as other titles in the Marvel lineup. While the concept was innovative and the characters were well-developed, the series struggled to find its audience amidst the crowded comic book market of the 1980s. Some critics and fans felt that the fusion of football and superheroics was too niche, limiting the appeal of the series to a broader audience.
Ultimately, “Kickers, Inc.” was canceled after only 12 issues, marking the end of its brief stint in the Marvel Universe. The series’ cancelation was a disappointment for fans of the New Universe imprint, who had hoped for a longer and more successful run. However, fan reception for the book wasn’t high as the book dragged a lot of the time, even with such an amazing creative team that would go on to do books like Thor and Spider-Girl. Despite its short-lived tenure, “Kickers, Inc.” remains a fascinating footnote in the history of superhero comics, showcasing the creative risks and challenges inherent in pushing the boundaries of the genre.
What do you think of Marvel’s New Universe Kickers, Inc.? Leave a comment and let us know.
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Given the popularity of sports manga, the concept missed it by inches. A failure to differentiate from more typical fantasy hero fare?