The Marvel Cinematic Universe (aka The MCU) is without a shadow of a doubt the largest achievement in Hollywood history. Whether you are a fan of the live-action movies or not, there is no denying that what they have achieved over the last fifteen years is extraordinary.

But we also know that Disney was a highly successful company even before this, with its main studio and those associated with it knocking out hit after hit for decades.

In 2009, Disney purchased Marvel Comics and, in doing so, gained the rights to a number of IPs rarely contended with within the industry.

It goes without saying that if Marvel was purchased by Disney in 2009, that talks between the two companies must have been had for months if not years prior. And it is these months of negotiating, these months of friendly conversation, that likely lead to one of the most interesting adverting campaigns in history: The 2008 LOST TV SHOW AND MARVEL COMICS CROSSOVER.  

The Lost TV show from ABC (A division of the Disney Company) burst onto our screens back in 2004 with the most ambitious and expensive television pilot ever brought to screen. Lost was a television show that took the entire world by storm, entering the cultural zeitgeist and hyped up by all who watched it.

The series followed the tale of the survivors of a plane crash (Oceanic 815) as they explored a mysterious and dangerous island. This six-season show was so ahead of its time, in so many ways, both on and off-screen. It has undoubtedly influenced the TV and binge-watching culture that we are so used to today.

- Side Note: If you are one of the few who loved Lost back in the day but felt the ending fell short of your expectations, do yourself a favour and give it a rewatch now. The modern television experience has finally caught up and you might have a more favourable view of it now.

Lost's Comic Connections:

LOST as a show had many in-continuity connections to comic books, including but not limited to:

An Early Atlas Comic (Marvel before Marvel) seen in the episode titled "Cabin Fever"

DC's "Faster Friends" seen throughout the series

"Y the Last Man" Read by the Character Hurley as he boarded Ajira Flight 316

- In fact, the Creator of "Y the Last Man", along with Lost series producer JJ Abrams and showrunner Damon Lindelof have all worked on both the show and written comics!

GETTING LOST IN COMICS - THE MARVEL CROSSOVER EVENT OF 2008

In early 2008, Lost was in full stride and was fast approaching its fourth season. With the talks between Marvel and Disney being what they were at the time, a deal was made to crossover the popular television show with the comic series.

Several ongoing titles from Marvel were included in this ambitious advertising campaign, including (but I'm certainly sure not limited to):



- These were just the ones that I found. As a fan myself, please do let me know if you know of any more!

This new (breakthrough) promotional campaign featuring a number of “Lost” easter eggs sprinkled throughout a wide variety of Marvel titles wasn't always an easy thing to spot as you read through your favourite comic books. But there was no denying that this was an incredibly innovative way for ABC to generate interest and excitement for the show’s upcoming season four premiere.

“We were able to seamlessly integrate these elements from the “Lost” world into the books in a way that does not take away from the stories but adds some fun and intrigue for both our readers and fans of the show as well.” - Michael Pasciullo, The then Vice President of Merchandising & Communications for Marvel Entertainment.

THE LEGACY OF LOST IN COMICS

Years later, and the show is still remembered (whether for good or bad) by many within the entertainment industry. It occasionally creeps back into public view, with references appearing in all forms of media including movies, television shows, video games, and of course, COMICS.

DC's Cat Woman 51 (Adam Hughes)

DC's The Flash...


Lobo: Highway to Hell

Over the years since the show last aired, it has long been discussed as to whether or not Lost should return to our screens. After all, it seems insane that Disney would just happily sit on an already-proven IP and not attempt another stab at it. But I dare to recommend that instead of a return to the screen, Lost should, instead, take the leap into the comic book medium and explore additional stories from the island and its characters throughout time.

What do you think? Would you read a Lost-themed comic? And did you spot any of those Lost easter eggs within Marvel comics back in 2008?

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.