In a $4 billion deal, Disney acquires Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
This week a stock market announcement roused the comic book world when The Walt Disney Company agreed to buy Marvel Entertainment, Inc. giving Disney ownership of of more than 5,000 Marvel characters. When the statement hit the internet and news media Monday morning on August 31, 2009, fans and creators voiced their shock. Then the questions and speculations swarmed the blog-o-sphere.
Twitter was a particularly entertaining distraction from one’s typical Monday. Followers read creators’ tweets from people who work for Marvel and didn’t seem to know anything about this development. Fans meanwhile were spiraling into a panic mode wondering what that means for the characters and franchises they have loved, especially for the mature content. How will lily white Disney handle something like the Max imprint’s Punisher? Disney MAX? Keep in mind Disney also owns ABC networks (Desperate Housewives, V, Castle) so they are familiar with adult content.
That’s not to say there isn’t a legitimate concern for fans and creators who enjoy the hardcore genres. Decades ago, Disney fired Tim Burton because his whimsical yet gothic style did not gel into the Disney model. He’s the film maker that had Hansel and Gretel kung fu fighting the forest witch, yet he’s also partially responsible for DC’s film success of the Batman franchise. After many years we’ve seen Disney realize when money is to be made; it wasn’t too long ago that the Mouse rehired Burton. Burton’s unique approach to movie making will be an easy comparison since one of Disney’s legendary animated movies, Alice in Wonderland, has gotten the Burton treatment and will hit theaters in just a few days. The bottom line is, if Disney understands that fans are adults, they are probably willing to open their doors to mature creators the way the did with Burton.
What about the theme parks? Can fans expect to see a Wolverine wax figure slashing Captain Jack Sparrow? Well, since Universal theme parks currently holds the Marvel licensing, you might have to wait quite a while to see the Marvel themed amusement rides. Boom! Studios is the current publisher of popular Disney/Pixar comics like Cars and Finding Nemo. It is natural to panic and speculate about what will happen to the comics, parks, and movies we love. However everyone needs to keep in mind that this acquisition is a process and it will take some time. Meanwhile, all licensing and distribution agreements are going to remain intact.
On the positive side, fans are excited for the prospects of new animated features where Marvel franchises can benefit from Disney’s technology and financial backing. There are plenty of viewers that have fond recollections of the 1990s X-Men cartoon while others had more appreciation for the young and fresh approach to X-Men: Evolution. Marvel has been knocking out some stellar straight to DVD features in the past couple years, too, including Hulk Versus and Doctor Strange. Creators are also excited and probably spent Monday night with dollar signs in their eyes … except for Warren Ellis, who probably dreamed of a threesome between Minnie, Kitty Pryde, and Colossus before Minnie rolled out of bed brandishing a ray gun which splattered X-intestines all over the walls.
September 1st, 2009 at 9:19 am
“except for Warren Ellis, who probably dreamed of a threesome between Minnie, Kitty Pryde, and Colossus before Minnie rolled out of bed brandishing a ray gun which splattered X-intestines all over the walls.”
Bravo Beth, bravo.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:11 pm
This could either make Marvel/Disney flourish in new, unexpected ways, or it could end up pissing a lot of comic fans off—depending on what kind of decisions they make once that new deal smell wears off. I can’t stop envisioning a new Kingdom Hearts, though …
September 1st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Aww, so I still have to wait till Comicon to take a picture with Spidey. :/
I’m semi-not surprised. Disney owns EVERYTHING, why wouldn’t they own Marvel too?