That said, a comic-themed network would have to be owned by three parties. The majority party would manage the programming and the day-to-day operation of the network. They would have the experience needed to create a network like this. The only company I would feel comfortable with undertaking such a task is NBC Universal.

NBC Universal owns one standard-definition genre channel (Sci-Fi Channel) and a pair of digital genre channels (the detective-themed Sleuth and the horror-inspired Chiller). Sci-Fi has rebuilt itself into becoming the dominant name in science-fiction programming by airing classic sci-fi series and movies and developing and acquiring new sci-fi series and movies every year. They have developed relationships with many studios and companies as well as found itself a major force around the planet. With this experience, NBC Universal would be the perfect majority partner in a comic-themed network, owning 60% of the channel.

As for minority partners, one would have to turn to the two names that the mainstream continue to believe represent the comic industry, DC Comics and Marvel Entertainment. DC Comics (and its owner TimeWarner) has reintroduced their properties since the dawn of the 21st century on television, in theaters, and in the comics with high-profile projects like Justice League, Teen Titans, The Batman, Smallville, Batman Begins, Superman Returns, V For Vendetta, Constantine, Identity Crisis, Infinite Crisis, 52, and Countdown. Marvel has also experienced a similar multimedia revival with projects like the Spider-Man, X-Men, Blade, and Fantastic Four movie franchises, animated series like X-Men: Evolution, Fantastic Four, and the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man, animated movies like Ultimate Avengers, Iron Man, and Doctor Strange, the Ultimate Marvel titles, and high-profile events like House of M and Civil War. While they haven't always been the greatest of allies, it would be impossible to imagine a comic network without these two companies as a small, yet significant part of it. They would both own 15% of the network, making a combined 30% ownership in the company.

That leaves behind 10% ownership in doubt. Viz Media should have a piece of that ownership, maybe 5%, to legitimize themselves to the comic industry that feels manga shouldn't be a part of their fanbase, though manga titles outsell a lot of Western titles on a weekly basis. Dark Horse should also have a 5% stake in the network because they find themselves in the position of being a representative of the mainstream comic industry, the independent comic industry, and the manga industry, though the name isn't recognized by most Americans.

I've established an appearance for a comic network. I've established that there is a market for such a network. I've even worked out a management plan for this channel. Now, the final question, the question that prompted me to write this article in the first place.

Would a comic-based network work in the United States?