Marvel expands partnerships with global creators

At San Diego Comic‑Con 2026, Marvel announced two separate collaboration deals that signal a broader push into new markets and formats.

On 27 July, Marvel unveiled a partnership with Japanese publisher Kadokawa to create five original manga series based on Marvel characters, beginning with *Spider‑Man of Shibuya*. The agreement follows the recent termination of Marvel’s earlier deal with Shueisha, and includes the appointment of former editor‑in‑chief C. B. Cebulski as Editor Asia Originals, relocating to Tokyo to oversee the venture.

Two days later, on 29 July, Marvel teamed with the digital platform WEBTOON to launch three new vertical‑scroll series—*Tony’s Girl*, a teen‑romance featuring a young Tony Stark; a Deadpool‑centric isekai title; and *X‑Men Korea*, following a Korean teenager with mutant powers. The titles join eight existing Marvel series already hosted on WEBTOON, underscoring Marvel’s effort to reach audiences through digital, mobile‑first formats.

Together, these announcements illustrate Marvel’s strategy to broaden its franchise beyond traditional American comics, leveraging both Japanese manga conventions and worldwide digital platforms to capture diverse readerships.