In Case You Haven’t Heard…

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

Marvel Comics has been acquired by the Disney Corporation.

Seriously.  I’m not kidding.   This is the AP article:

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of 5,000 Marvel characters.

Disney said Monday that Marvel shareholders will receive $30 per share in cash plus 0.745 Disney shares for every Marvel share they own.

It said the boards of Disney and Marvel have both approved the transaction, but it requires an antitrust review and the approval of Marvel shareholders.

PAD

128 comments on “In Case You Haven’t Heard…”

  1. Oooh, oooh, PAD, I got it. You should take a page from NFL Superpro and immediately pitch a Spider-Man/Miley Cyrus or Wolverine/Jonas Brothers team-up book. It’ll go over like gold, I tells ya. The Mouse loves it’s corporate synergy.

    1. Or maybe Kim Possible can join S.H.I.E.L.D., while Stitch becomes one of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

      Sheesh. What next? Recess/Power Pack? Iron Fist vs. Jake Long?

      (hits head repeatedly on a wall)

      Just keep telling yourself, Aaron… They won’t ruin Fantastic Four like they did Power Rangers… They won’t ruin Fantastic Four like they did Power Rangers…

      …I may need a new wall soon…

      1. Stitch in Guardians of the Galaxy actually sounds kinda fun. It can’t be any more surreal than Rocket Raccoon being on the team.

  3. Honestly, we don’t know enough about Disney plans..

    Personally? I see Disney moving to split the Marvel titles into age segmented lines, keeping the current lineup as Marvel, then branching out into more little kid friendly areas (okay, my first thought was Teen Hulk..Eeek) but still the idea has merit.

    This also provides Disney with the source material for the eventual construction of a Teen oriented park, something they admit they sorely need (more high-speed thrill rides, a la universal). This will position them again into more of a whole family destination.

    My guess is that Universal immediately starts seeking to rebrand their Marvel based rides with DC (depending on how tied in DC is to the now bankrupt Six Flags). Meanwhile, Disney starts their initial design work on for a 2016 or so deployment.

    Other than that, I really suspect Disney will leave Marvel alone on the comics front, except maybe to distribute comics via their operation with Disney characters.

    Okay, the movies? No clue what will happen there.

  5. I remember when the Incredibles came out, around the time FF 2 did (unless I’m mistaken) and people would say that the Incredibles was a FF done right. Problem was although it was Disney – Pixar we would focus mostly on the PIXAR part.

    If Marvel gets the same type of ‘hands off’ deal and access to creators like Brad Bird – this could be a good thing in the long term.

    Still, if I were Quesada I’d have my bags already packed when the Disney overlords try to force the Wolverine vs Goofy musical.

    1. Actually, I think the Incredibles came out in 2004, a year before the first Fantastic Four movie.

    2. Well, considering Pixar did 100% of the producing and Disney just handled distribution, the PIXAR part is the creative part.

  6. I have a hard time believing that Disney will be particularly “hands off” with this one. The deal is about branding, and part of the draw seems to be the abilty to have costumed heroes walking around the theme parks. The characters are a relection of the company, so how long before Disney decides to clean up their image? I mean, Wolverine may be widely idolized by kids, but at the end of the day he also happens to be a mass-murderer. So at what point does someone over at Disney assume creative control? I truly hope it’s “never”, but I have a difficult time believing that.

  7. One possible upside (for me, at least): Hopefully this means the return of the recently axed Gargoyles comic. Fingers crossed.

  8. RE: Bill Mulligan
    Oh! Could Pixar possibly make marvel character films? The Incredibles was by far the best of the 3 Fantastic 4 movies, it would be nice if they could do it officially.

    You got that right!
    I remember how surprised I was when that movie got an Oscar screenplay nomination.

  9. Have to say the level of discourse here about this topic is amusingly different form that on facebook about the announcement… lots of f words and drawn out ‘no’s there… proper discussion and analysis here. You should be all proud of yourselves!

    1. I can understand the negative reaction. The default response of fans when it comes to change is to freak out. Even minor change. “Monet’s getting a perm? NOOOOOO!” So naturally there’s going to be some mental meltdown over something like this. But in these parts I think people realize for the most part that (a) going ballistic isn’t going to accomplish anything because it ain’t like it’s going to undo it, and (b) it’s way, way too early to determine whether it’s going to have any substantive impact on the comics. I mean, if part of the deal was, “And Disney insisted on getting rid of that mutant book with the two gay guys in it,” then we’ve got ourselves a show. (Actually, now that I think about it, some religious types endeavored to boycott Disney parks because the parks were gay-friendly.)
      .
      PAD

      1. There’s also a level of resentment – earned or not – many fanboys have toward Disney.

        I’ve a friend, a huge Marvel fan who’s opening his own comic shop in a month, who was rather upset that his cherished comic universe had just been bought by “the mouse”.

      2. The factory always leaves us on the default settings. If only we had the instruction manual, we could set ourselves to “mellow”.

        Still, I think my reaction might be to freak out anyway. Often when a company buys another, they do so to take what they want, chew up and spit out the rest.

    2. Have to say the level of discourse here about this topic is amusingly different form that on facebook about the announcement
      .
      Well, I immediately put in my “Where’s the Dislike Option?” request on one of Marvel’s postings. I just plain prefer Marvel to remain the independent publisher.
      .
      Side note: I’m finding it amusing to see people response to comments from those like Marvel, especially those with, as you say, ‘lots of f words’. Perhaps anonymity isn’t necessary for most people to be complete dickwads on the internet.

  10. Any chance that in an attempt to make Marvel more family friendly they’ll drop the price so I can afford to by books instead of waiting for trades to come to Barnes an Nobles an read them for free?

  11. Hello, Peter!

    It’s funny that I heard about this news first on a Marvel *slash* Yahoo Group. And, yes, not surprisingly there were quite a few who remarked on the fears that Disney might *de-homosexualize* Northstar, Rictor and Shatterstar.

    I don’t know what Disney’s stance over homosexuality is. But if they have any respect for the writers who have developed Marvel’s characters to be gays or lesbians, they should let them continue what they’ve been doing so far.

    Speaking for myself from a writer’s standpoint, if there’s one thing that I really hate the most is people telling me what to write for the sake of those who prefer *sanitized* stories. Speaking as a reader, on the other hand, they would be doing me an injustice if they were to suddenly make *straight* the gay characters I have grown to love.

    I shall probably wait for whatever developments there may be. But, I have to admit, I’m not particularly hopeful. Once Disney starts interfering with the way the Marvel writers write their stories and the characters, and it’s not to my liking, that will be the time when I’ll stop patronizing Marvel.

    1. I don’t know where these “de-homosexualizing” fears are coming from. It’s not like X-Factor is suddenly going to be called Disney’s X-Factor. Disney simply owns Marvel, just like they own Miramax, which released such un-Disney-esque fare as Sin City and No Country for Old Men.

      And considering how gay-friendly the theme parks are (I don’t think there are any straight people working there anymore), I really don’t think they have a “stance” on the subject.

  12. So when do we find out that Mickey Mouse is a human that was exposed to the Terrigen Mists?

    I’ll wait and see what happens but given how Disney acts in regards to a whole lot of things…they are going to have to convince me they aren’t going to screw everything up.

    1. Anything they say to convince any skeptic is more than likely to going to worsen said skeptics’ fears. The best they can do to convince us they aren’t going to ‘screw everything up’ is to act, not speak.

    2. Dude, I think you’ve got who bought who backwards. The correct question is, “When does the PET AVENGERS movie from Pixar get the greenlight?”

  13. I was disappointed to hear Disney analysts characterize this purchase as properties which appeal to boys.

    After all the efforts to recognize that girls & women read comics too, this seems like a huge step backwards.

  14. Um…yeah…I do hope we don’t start seeing such crossovers pop-up. That’d be simply…disturbing.

    I sincerely wonder though, what’s really going to happen to existing film deals, not to mention that huge piece of real estate over at Orlando’s Universal Studios called Islands of Adventure with quite a few Marvel-themed rides attached to it as its main draw.

  15. I can’t wait for the MARVEL ZOMBIES ride at Disneyland. “Hey, kids! Do you like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and the Hulk? Well, you’ll *love* them as homicidal cannibals! Tremble in the dark in the subway systems as some of the last survivors! Laugh with irony as Spidey eats both his wife and Aunt May! Wonder what the @#$% happed to the ‘hero’ in ‘superhero!'”

    But I digress…

  16. I have to wonder what Steve Gerber would have had to say about Howard now being a co-property of Donald…

    J.

    1. It doesn’t matter. Howard was never going to be done right again, and Marvel was only going to publish it often enough to retain the trademark. Corporations are like that.

  17. Right now, I’m mostly just going for the humor factor, because this news is so dámņëd weird that I don’t even know what I think of it yet. A lot of people here have made a lot of good points. I hope it works well.
    .
    But naturally, this does open up the idea for a lot of crossovers. A sampling:
    .
    Namor Finds Nemo (3-D variant cover)
    Pluto joins the Pet Avengers
    The Punisher Goes to Tomorrowland (with regular and extra-bloody covers)
    The cast of “The Black Hole” winds up in the Marvel Universe (clearly it’s what’s on the other side of the hole)
    The Black Cat From Outer Space (or The Hellcat From Outer Space if you’d prefer)
    The Mighty Howard Ducks

  18. Make Mine Mickey Mouse!!

    I am guessing child-friendly franchises like Power Pack might get a new life, but if Disney can live with Miramax and its Tarantino flicks, I doubt they would object comic books with more mature contents. After all this is an absortion meant to expand Disney’s scope, not to neutralize a competitor.

    I just wish they put the huge Disney publicity machine to work on getting young readers/audience interested in comic books. Its bad when the average reader is around 30.

    1. But, on a tangential note, many of the comics being put out (with notable exceptions like Wolverine: First Class) aren’t for younger audiences. I’m anout to drop New Avengers, not because I don’t like it, but because it’s rated all ages and the characters cuss up a storm. It’s not even that offensive but I don’t think an “all ages” comic should have lines like “Pain in the a–!” and “How about you punk b—–s go home…” And then there was the all ages issue where Wolverine hopes li’l Logan grows back bigger after getting shot off… Seriously, you’ve got a ratings system. Use it.

  19. Chud.com has a list of their choices for Pixar Marvel projects. A few of my own thoughts:
    .
    Ka-Zar— Oh yeah, no-brainer. Tarzan + dinosaurs = my ášš in a seat.
    .
    Guardians of The Galaxy– this is where Pixar could shine–characters that i don’t think would work all that well as live action but would kick all kinds of butt as animation.
    .
    The Eternals– really, who wouldn’t want to see a Jack Kirby movie? Though I might be more partial to a the Inhumans. Or Devil Dinosaur, though that is probably just me.
    .
    ROM, Spaceknight—- I loves me some ROM. I don’t care what anyone says. Misunderstood noble robot vs dirty stinking lying Dire Wraiths. It’s Inglorious Bášŧërdš with Dire Wraiths. And Spaceknights.
    .
    The Kree/Skrull War— basically just an excuse to use EVERY character in the marvel Universe, with as many winks and nods to the fans as possible. Like, when Nick Fury shows up it’s in a Steranko inspired op-art way. Characters who may or may not be able to hold up an entire movie–I’m looking at YOU, Stilt-Man!–get a chance to strut their stuff. The sheer scope of the universe is there for all to see. 2 hours and 45 minutes. 3-D. 5 disk special edition directors cut. I may go buy a blue ray player right now just to be safe…

  20. the first thing once the deal is final disney should do is put spider man and his amazing friends on dvd then start looking some animated films that show the marvel universe disneied. like the hulk goes on its a small world and wants to smash the sound system over the song. as for howard the duck Disney will vanish him after Mikey covers him in duck sauce. the merger should be interesting

  21. Wow. I read this elsewhere already and still can’t believe this is true. I have doubts this is a good thing for Marvel. But who knows. Time will tell (or so they say).
    .
    The fears that Disney will micromanage things like Rictor/Shatterstar is absurd. Disney may not have had a gay character (that I know of) but they are gay friendly. Trust me. I have had been told enough to boycott Disney because of the at least perceived view about Disney.
    .
    But the fear that Disney will mess things up for the films and even for the long term direction of Marvel is real. You don’t buy something this big and then stay out of it. The moment sales slip in the least, they will want to “fix” it to preserve their investment.
    .
    Why Marvel agreed is what puzzles me. I can make guesses but the business / investment world is not my area of expertise.
    .
    Good luck PAD. I think you’ll need it.
    .
    Iowa Jim

  23. I had a couple of… “ideas”… occur to me. Both set to possibly recognizable tunes…

    Spider-Mouse! Spider-Mouse!
    Now a hole in your wall’s his house!
    Spider-Mick! Coming soon
    To your TV each afternoon!
    Hey look, here comes the Spider-Mouse!

    Disney went and bought,
    Marvel flicks for a loss!
    Wolverine must hate,
    Donald Duck is his boss!

    See the Hulk, feeling sick,
    Now that Goofy’s his new sidekick!
    Loathes the Fantastic Four
    With Incredibles right next door!
    Look now,
    Dumbo is now an X-Man!
    Walt’s best pal now will be Stan!
    Here comes the Spider-Mouse!

    And if _that_ doesn’t make you gag…

    Wolverine has claws, Storm can make it rain,
    Cyclops shoots eye beams, Magneto’s their bane…
    Fastball Specials are hurled, ‘Crawler’s tail is curled,
    It’s an X, X-World!

    It’s an X-World after all!
    Mutants rise and mutants fall!
    As they follow Xavier’s call!
    It’s an X-World after all!

    Xavier started back after World War II
    (Eric Lensherr then was a good guy too!)
    Then came Iceman and Beast, Angel, Cyke, Marvel Girl,
    It’s an X, X-World!

    It’s an X-World after all!
    Danger Room is down that hall,
    Claremont writes his men to bawl!
    It’s an X-World after all!

    Phoenix perished so that we all could live,
    Chuck thinks Sabertooth still has good to give,
    With Colossus so tall, Shadowcat rather small,
    It’s an X-World after all!

    I remain
    Sincerely (and unabashedly),
    Eric L. Sofer
    The Silver Age Fogey
    x<]:o){

    1. “Wolverine must hate,
      Donald Duck is his boss!
      See the Hulk, feeling sick,
      Now that Goofy’s his new sidekick!” hahahah. Gold!

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