Disney to Acquire Marvel

Does this settle the DC vs. Marvel debate?

LitClique, I have to ask you: how would Disney's purchase of Marvel Comics settle the DC versus Marvel debate? And as there have been many "debates" among many fans for many years, which one in particular might you be referring to? Please let me know, as I would interested discussing further.

I can't deny the numerous and rather obvious business opportunities and financial boons that this Deal will offer both companies and their respective shareholders. I can also not dispute -- or for this particular point find any fault with -- the fact that Disney's evaluation, pursuit, and evetual decision to buy Marvel is a sure sign that there is present value and future value, power, and growth in comics and a product, artform, and industry. It' a symbol of comics economic clout in the marketplace And that symbol represents Good for everyone involved.

But the ultimate bottom line of this Deal, which will never be addressed or perhaps recongized by any major media report, and probably most smaller ones as well, is the fact that Disney's entree into the comics industry today marks the death of the Marvel Comics that, in this very same year and ironically this very same Month of August, also celebrated its 70th Anniversary.

That 70th Anniversary is also Marvel's final Anniversary. The company will exist in body, with much unchanged to any degree of noticabilty, but it will no longer be the same entity in spirit. If DC Comics and its character icons are the true Soul of the comics industry, Marvel Comics was its Heart. And that Heart is gone.

I dont believe DC Comics relationship with Warner Bros can be equated to Disney and Marvel -- different times, different realities then, now, and tomorrow. Moreover, Warner Bros is not the expansive corporate empire that is Disney, is not the ideoogical vehicle of homogeny that Disney has long since evolved into. These policies and procedures will inevitably breech Marvel's culture, and with the same invisible subterfuge that Wertham's attack on the comics industry undermined content and changed the face of comics readership and creative directions (If not mandates), the immeasurable will occur. Tiny, subtle alterations in the obscurist of corners of the Marve offices will follow.

Eventually, Marvel comics and the 5000+ characters, including some very powerful members of the PopCulture Pantheon, will be neutered, welcomed into every Family's home in America, satired on some brilliant future "South Park"-type style cartoon for adults, and shall serve as frontmen on the continuing journey to homogeny that America is blindly pursuing with all haste.

Like their mega-event blockbuster of summer 2008, the Secret Invasion of the Mighty Marvel Universe has begun once again. Mouseketeers, not Skrulls.

Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, and the Fantastic Four never stood a chance.

To insert some levity:

Will the next Kingdom Hearts now have characters from Disney, Final Fantasy AND MARVEL?!

Geek overload!!

I have to admit I'm a little worried about this. I can see Disney taking a "Comics are Just For Kids" approach and turning even the more mature properties into something for eight-year-olds.

4> I thought I was inserting some levity!

I must admit to some worry, as a Marvel fan. But Disney have left Pixar alone, so there's hope...

It will be interesting to see how it goes. The NPR review I heard yesterday emphasized that Disney's interest in Marvel was to get at the teenage and older male demographic. If that really is their goal, I don't see them changing the golden goose too much.

Remember also that Disney is a broad umbrella that also consists of ABC, Miramax, Touchstone Pictures, and other companies/studios, many of which are not always family friendly.

You might have legit worries about what Disney might do to Marvel, but I really don't think they're going to completely kid-ify Wolverine or Punisher

I'm really liking the discussion we've all got going here. I'll probably post up some more thoughts soon -- have to dash in a jiffy here.

Trollsdotter, I heard about that NPR review from the other day and ill take a listen. The demographics Disney specified, to me, dont seem to jive or make much sense. At least without hearing more. Thanks for mentioning. My initial thoughts on their statement per your post are:

Older male: how old? The average comic book reader/buyer is a mid-30s solid middle class educated white male. I doubt they are targeting the AARP gentlemen :)

And as for the teenage market -- I will give them that teens are buying fewer comic books than older males and females for that matter, but teens (heavier on boys than girls) are buying comics nevertheless. Of course, that's AMERICAN comics. Kids from grade 6 to 7 to grade 10 are HUGE buyers of Manga -- thats the reason Borders is still in business -- and many college age students do to (more girls with this demo). And more college age kids buy comics than teens, boys still using more of their money here than the girls.

So that "targeting argument" or what I know of what they said, doesn't make sense to me. I'm missing something, perhaps, or else they are. I cant believe Disney wants to publish Manga, but if they do, Marvel's line is going to look like Viz Media and Tokyopop...and those two publishers have the market well-covered.

And, overall, I'm not saying that Wolverine will be come "Wolver-Wimp" or his finned headpiece more rounded around the lateral sides haha....but within the series, and in the culture and perhaps even subtle directions and company leanings, Wolverine may be de-clawed.

Looking forward to the lively talk here and everyones takes to continue. Thanks again, everyone!!

I can't quote the NPR report verbatim, but it was the reporter, not a Disney rep that talked about the male demographic, and I would hope it wasn't baseless speculation. If they want that then Marvel isn't a bad place to start.

The manga business has nothing to do with Marvel aside from a few forays Marvel made into that market (Marvel Mangaverse). Now that manga skips the comic book stage, it is mostly a graphic novel and bookstore phenomenon. My experience as a bookseller, shows very little crossover purchasing between manga and American graphic novels.

I wouldn't be surprised if a large portion of Marvel's income is direct comic sales as well as some gaming-related sales (Hero-Clix is Marvel, right?), and comic book store patrons are definitely skewed to men (of all ages).

Of course, I'm assuming that Disney isn't going to change Marvel's current business and creative practices, just get a share of their profits.

))