Is Marvel Fatigue becoming or already a thing in 2024?

There is such a thing as IP fatigue. Except maybe the most ardent fans eventually get tired of too much of any IP. I’m not there with Iron Maiden, maybe never will be there, but Marvel stuff? Um, sort of.

The new Marvel movie, Venom, hit theaters this past weekend and sales in China were good, but domestically were lukewarm at best.

On the pinball front, The Uncanny X-Men launched recently by Stern, ahead of schedule and then was overshadowed by the release of Metallica: Remastered during the 40th Anniversary Pinball Expo. PGM members in attendance tell me the Stern booth was hopping with X-Men, so they are definitely pushing it. I think in time this one will do better than Venom has sales-wise, but Metallica has more attention right now, with the 500 LE selling out right away.

Meanwhile, Venom LE, released a year ago can still be purchased new in box from some distros. There are X-Men LE’s out there, too.

It’s early yet for The Uncanny X-Men and I believe the LEs will sell out, but back to the main question in general: are people getting Marvel fatigue? Do they already have fatigue? Are there Marvel properties that aren’t overexposed? Sure there are, but is there enough for support for more movise, games or both?

My answer is: leave the Marvel stuff be, unless it’s something they haven’t done at all or in a long time. How long is up to discussion, but we really, really don’t need another Spider-man reboot any time soon, for example. Hulk? They’ve tried in the movies, but it’s been awhile for a Hulk pinball machine, so maybe a modern Hulk. Fantastic Four? They’ve busted out in the movies for the most part and probably not something for pinball I’d go out of my way to play.

Any Marvel characters you’d like to see a movie or play a game on? Or do you have Marvel fatigue? If so, how long before you’ll be ready for more Marvel?

UPDATE 10/31/2024 @ 8:23am PST: “Many have pointed out that this superhero fatigue is in large part due to a flooded market. Marvel in particular has pumped out dozens of movies and series, leaving even the most dedicated fans scrambling to keep up.” via Can Marvel and DC Save Their Movies From ‘Superhero Fatigue’? | Can Marvel and DC Save Their Movies From ‘Superhero Fatigue’?

In the linked article above, Disney CEO Bob Iger points out that he’s trying to reduce output and focus more on quality. Meanwhile, DC is cranking up another Superman movie. Am not sure about that, wasn’t there an attempted movie reboot on that some years ago? Would be somewhat interested in seeing a modern Superman pin someday — more interested in a Harley Quinn pin — but think that should be put off many more years in favor of non Marvel and DC themes.