Netflix to Produce Four New Marvel Series

Marvel's media web is about to get significantly more complicated. Last week, Netflix announced that it is developing four original series based on Marvel comics characters, the last of which will be an "Avengers"-style superhero team-up.

The first three Netflix originals, which are scheduled to begin streaming in 2015, will feature the characters Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Jessica Jones. The team-oriented series will be based on the Defenders, a group that appeared in Marvel comics in the 1970s and 80s; Luke Cage was a regular member of the group, as were Thor and the Hulk—two current members of The Avengers who are unlikely to appear in the Netflix series.

The series will expand the Marvel film-and-TV empire, which at this point includes the Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Avengers franchises, as well as the TV series "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." on ABC.

The appetite for comic-based stories at studios and networks is voracious at the moment. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Marvel is considering a series based on Agent Carter, a character introduced in a feature on the "Iron Man 3" Blu-Ray disc. Meanwhile, producers are almost as enthusiastic about DC comics characters. Warner Bros. is busy developing the Batman and Superman franchises, while Fox is reportedly working on a Batman spin-off featuring Police Commissioner Gordon. On the CW, the "Arrow" series is based on the DC superhero Green Hero, and the network is reportedly working on a spin-off featuring the Flash and another series starring Hourman.

Is the comic-book love as strong among viewers as it is in the ranks of studio execs? Is there room for a movie or series based on every character ever featured in any comic book? The long-term viability of the comic-book bubble remains to be seen. The recent opening of "Thor: The Dark World" was strong, if not earth-shattering, but "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." has seen its ratings slide since its impressive debut; ratings for the past two weeks' episodes have set new series lows and for both weeks, "Agents" was in second place in the 18-49 demographic behind "NCIS" and barely ahead of "The Biggest Loser" in total viewership.