Marvel + Disney = REACTIONS

[Gaumer]

I figured this topic was big enough to get a forum post.

Disney, a company that drives itself by it's great characters and story-telling buying Marvel, a company driven by its characters and story-telling is maybe the best thing that could have happened to both companies.

Right not, Marvel cancels books when the books numbers drop off, even if just a little bit. I hate seeing month after month of rumors that X-Factor may get canceled. The money of the Mouse may help fix that problem.

Look what Disney did when they bought Pixar: Nothing!! They didnt go in a micro manage Pixar and make them suck. If they keep that the saem when dealing with Marvel, we will still see the same Marvel goodness we have been seeing.

But the possibilities are endless: Disney characters in comic books, marvel characters at Disneys parks (arent there Marvel characters at 6 Flags currently), Marvel and Disney both have animation studios, both have movie studios, both have game developing studios...this could get crazy.

But, honestly, I dont think we will see anything come out of this acquisition for a very long time.

[Stacy B.]

Look what Disney did when they bought Pixar: Nothing!! They didnt go in a micro manage Pixar and make them suck. If they keep that the saem when dealing with Marvel, we will still see the same Marvel goodness we have been seeing.

I think (hope) that this is how they will handle it myself.

I'm more curious to see if this means Marvel comics could have a larger presence on shelves outside your LCS.  I know that you can see small Disney Digest books at most big box stores and grocery stores, so I wonder if the return of the spinner rack (or a collector safe version of such) would be that far off? Does Marvel have an exclusive comic distribution dal with Diamond? Isn't Diamond part of Gemstone, and didn't Gemstone/Gladstone just lose/release the Disney License? I am fuzzy on that whole issue, so please correct me if I am wrong on it.

I don't think that it would affect the Boom deal for the near future, as (I assume) they have a contract for a specific amount of time.

I'm more curious about how long this has been in the works and what type of security had been provided that it did not leak out?

[Gaumer]

These bullet points clear the muck somewhat

    * Existing licensing and distribution deals should remain where they are.
    * Disney believes there’s real opportunity with the Marvel catalog of characters and will work on where those opportunities are greatest and how best to leverage them across the existing Marvel and Disney infrastructure.
    * Disney executives went to great lengths during the call to make the point that they don’t pretend to be more expert than Marvel is in handling their characters, citing the hands-off relationship Disney has had with Pixar since the acquisition of that studio. Disney said Marvel manages the properties from a business perspective very intelligently and trusts them to make the right decisions for these products for a long time to come.
    * Disney said the deal was attractive not just because they’re buying great characters, stories and brand, but about working with people who know these characters best and how best to work with them in other media.
    * Again, referencing the Pixar deal, Disney finds working as one company with Marvel removes friction and creates value that’s very compelling. Licensing offers very attractive opportunities, but nothing is better than being one. International expansion of Marvel properties through Disney was cited as a potential growth area.
    * Cable channel Disney XD is currently running about 20 hours a week of Marvel content and Disney has been looking to license more Marvel content and this deal gives them that opportunity as well as the opportunity to expose these characters internationally.<.li>
    * With regards to video game publishing, Disney praised Marvel’s licensing agreements with some of the best video game producers and publishers in the business and said moving forward they will consider what’s best for each individual property as each licensing deal comes up for renewal and that there would likely be a blend of licensed and self-produced/self-distributed titles.
    * With respect to Paramount’s distribution deal with Marvel and the Iron Man franchise, Disney has every intention to respect the deal that’s in place, but noted that it’s in their best interest, overtime, to become the sole distributor of Marvel films.
    * Will Disney3D be used for Marvel movies? That will be determined by those who are in charge of producing Marvel’s theatrical films.
    * When asked if there was potential for cross-polination between Marvel and Pixar, Disney said that Pixar’s John Lasseter has met with key Marvel creative executives recently and the group got “pretty excited, very fast.” Disney will look at all opportunities and thinks there are some exciting product that could come from this sort of partnership.
    * Disney said this deal is expected to benefit Marvel’s retail efforts, being able to leverage Disney’s shelf space and relationships with major chains and distributors.
    * The deal began when Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger reached out to Marvel Chief Executive Ike Perlmutter earlier this year. Again, Disney noted that they believe in the creative team at Marvel and see no reason to upset that applecart.
    * Disney has not made any real estate decisions and sees no reason to move Marvel Studios from their headquarters in Manhattan Beach, California. No mention of Marvel Publishing’s offices in New York City was made.

Those are via CBR

Joe Q went on to say on Twitter:

“G' morning, Marvel U! Welcome to this moment in history. Everyone relax, this is incredible news and all is well in the Marvel U.”

“Everybody take a deep breath, all your favorite comics remain unchanged and Tom Brevoort remains grouchy.”

“If you're familiar with the Disney/Pixar relationship, then you'll understand why this is a new dawn for Marvel and the comics industry.”

And this story keeps developing. Its going to be a fun week, even though we will see nothing happen for months.

[Navarre]

I think it is the biggest thing to happen to comics in decades. The sheer marketing power of Disney will propel all things Marvel to unimagined heights.

We are all slaves to marketing. If you don't believe it, look at Hannah Montana.

99% of all kids will snatch up anything she promotes. 99% of all adults can't stand her...but we all sure know who she is.

If Disney provides the marketing power for its own benefit but leaves the creative control with the Marvel team, then I see it being great for everyone, including us.

What will happen though? We'll see.

I can't change it and most people fear change. I don't but I don't have enough experience yet with the event to know how it will go.

Whatever happens, there we'll be. I hope the end result is good for the fans.

[Slappy]

Not pleased.

I am not a fan of Disney and generally do not like how they handle properties they tend to buy.  Muppets are an excellent example of this.  They Disneyized (Like lobotomized) a wonderful property.  They still make money, but so much has been raked away.  
Think Legion with only Kryptonian level heroes.  Kind of boring without BouncinBoy, Matter Eater Lad, Polar Boy Triplicate Girl.

[hattertim]

You'd think that initially they wouldn't mess with such an established brand as Marvel. I don't know if Disney has any history of buying out other companies and then changing the product to fit their own brand, so I think I'll wait and see what happens over the next year or so to see if any major changes in policy happen at Marvel.

Maybe one good thing out of this is that Disney will decide the the "earth-shattering, nothing will ever be the same again, multi-part, company-wide cross-over" events will not happen every year, or drag on for over a year and still be going on when the next one starts!

[Gaumer]

I'll give Slappy the Muppets. Disney dropped the ball there.

But they would be stupid to go in and do a massive change. Marvel is currently making money. I'm sure that had something to do with the purchase. Changing things just for the sake of changing them can only do harm to the bottom line and I'm sure Disney doesnt want to do that.

When I think of classic animation I think of two companies first: Disney and Warner Brothers. When I think of classic comics I think of: Marvel and DC. Using this formula its about time Disney starts taking comics seriously.

Now Disney has all of the facets of life covered: They've always had the toddlers; Pixar and Disney channel have had them from ages 7-14. Now they can sell their comics to ages 14+; and let's not forget ESPN is owned by Disney too.

This brings a whole new facet to 'Shaq vs.'

[Navarre]

The best thing for both companies and the consumer will be if Marvel has creative control and Disney runs the marketing.

[The_Julian]

I'm mostly interested in the roundabouts this will bring out in a television standpoint. If this means I can finally have Spectacular Spider-Man and Wolverine and the X-Men under one roof (or channel as it were), I'm game.  After all this could mean that all the Marvel shows should be given a healthy lifespan, even if they just receive average ratings. 

But that leads into my next comment that most have been saying- I think Disney needs to be a a publisher first and an influencing force second.  That's not to say that I wouldn't mind seeing an awesome marvel animated project put out be Pixar or something, I just don't wanna have everything be determined by Disney as a the financial holder.

[Gaumer]

I have to admit the amusement parks sound more appealing to me personally.

My wife is a huge Disney fan. I have a 3 year old who would love disney anytime in the next decade. And my 8 year old wants to do the ESPN deally so badly he cant stop talking about it.

But I had no desire to wait in line and deal with people and wait in line and pay a million dollars for a hot dog and wait in line...

But now I may have a reason to go.

So I can meet the real Wolverine

[Navarre]

When I went to Universal Studios in Orlando I had my picture taken with Spider-Man and Cyclops.

It makes sense that superheroes would have to work a side job. After all, most don't get paid to do this sort of thing.

But I know they were real because Spider-Man said to some kid, "I'm Spider-Man". ... and Spidey would never lie to little kids.

So keep hope alive, Gaumer. Logan is waiting.

On topic, if you watch the Disney Channel you will notice that it is a fully self-contained entity. You don't see commercials by random sponsors.

Instead, you have 24 minute shows with "commercials" in between that are solely promoting Disney's other shows or movies or whatever. And kids eat it up. As I've said, slaves to marketing.

If Disney were to put some real dollars into producing Marvel television shows that were entertaining for the right demographic, they could follow the same format as they are with the Disney Channel.

The end result would be good television shows that build money by sponsoring itself to build even more good television shows that, in turn, leads to high-grossing movies (as with the Hannah Montana stuff).

But the trick here is to design for the right demographic. It isn't enough to hook the 8 year olds on Marvel TV. They need to make it work for teens and adults too.

This is where the Marvel creative teams come back in, as they have been doing this sort of thing forever.