Earlier this week, Marvel filed for a bunch of new trademark applications on an interesting assortment of their existing characters. Most of the trademark registrations were for “downloadable electronic publications in the nature of comic books, comic magazines and stories in illustrated form.”It could be Marvel just going through the regular good practice of insuring their existing trademarks in new categories. However, several of the characters that Marvel selected to expand their trademarks on align with already announced movies in development by Marvel Studios. Could the other characters that Marvel selected also be characters that they have plans to develop as TV or movie franchises?The new trademarks that Marvel filed for in downloadable electronic publications included Irredeemable Ant-Man, Journey Into Mystery, Strikeforce: Morituri, Rocket Racoon, New Warriors, Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, Alpha Flight, and Age of Ultron.Of course, Age of Ultron is the title of the upcoming Avengers sequel. Guardians of the Galaxy, which includes Rocket Raccoon, is also an upcoming movie from Marvel. Interestingly enough, Rocket Raccoon is spelled wrong as “Rocket Racoon” in the trademark application. Apparently, the Marvel lawyers must have made a typo.Ant-Man is also an already announced movie by Marvel Studios, and there has been much speculation that the movie will be based on the Irredeemable Ant-Man storyline. The fact that Marvel chose to file for a trademark on this specific title could back up that is the storyline the movie will use.Black Panther is a character who has also been rumored for a movie for several years. With the recent Netflix deal to develop a Defenders show, it also makes sense that Marvel might be considering bringing other teams to either television or the big screen. Could Strikeforce: Morituri, New Warriors, and Alpha Flight be properties that Marvel is looking to develop?Of course, Journey into Mystery is associated with Thor. Interestingly enough, Marvel also filed a new trademark registration for Loki in the toys and games category. While this could be Marvel just protecting the marks because of the existing Thor movies, it could also be a hint at a possible title for a third Thor movie, which might center more around Loki.
