# Disney Acquires Marvel **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 31, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350 "2009-08-31T13:59:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/1 "2009-08-31T13:59:57Z")
Just read [the story here](http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-disney-marvel-entertainment,0,2455291.story). > [@](#): > > LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Walt Disney Co. says it is acquiring Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in cash and stock, bringing characters like Iron Man and Spider-Man into the Disney family. > > Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of 5,000 Marvel characters. I just can’t think of anything good to say about this at the moment. Anyone else have any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/2 "2009-08-31T14:10:51Z")
Well, yeah, but 4,500 of those are one-shot villains who only ever appear in retcon-creating series… Although, I do have one potential title for you: Muppets vs. X-Men ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/3 "2009-08-31T14:20:56Z")
I think that Disney has accepted that they’re better at managing copyrights and licensing characters than they are at producing creative content. Probably at least 50% of Marvel’s business is also in licensing their characters, so you’re going to see some major layoffs at Marvel. Business-wise it makes sense. There’s no sense to have two groups of lawyers. By cutting out one group, you’ve got the combined revenue without as much overhead. Theoretically, this could result in the heads at Marvel being able to devote more time to the creative stuff. But on the other hand, the marketing force over at Disney might say that they have to start positioning themselves to teens, fully, so that Disney kids can be smoothly shuffled over into Marvel teens. ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/4 "2009-08-31T14:36:24Z")
> [@HelloNinja](#): > > Just read [the story here](http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-disney-marvel-entertainment,0,2455291.story). > > I just can’t think of anything good to say about this at the moment. Anyone else have any thoughts? I think the acquisition allows Disney to pimp out the entire Marvel family for movies until the 23rd century. I expect to hear from them as I own [dazzlermovie.com](http://dazzlermovie.com) muahahahahahahaha ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/5 "2009-08-31T14:40:10Z")
I wouldn’t say this was bad. It’s probably Disney using their free cash to buy up long-term assets. With Marvel characters in hand, they get to profit from successful movie licenses for adults and comics. And they might reposition some comics to attract younger audiences. Actually, I can think that this might be very good for kids. Comics have gone way too adult, to the point where they’re very unattractive for young people anymore. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/6 "2009-08-31T14:41:28Z")
Wow… this could be epic! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/7 "2009-08-31T14:47:47Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Well, yeah, but 4,500 of those are one-shot villains who only ever appear in retcon-creating series… > > Although, I do have one potential title for you: > > Muppets vs. X-Men Hannah Montana vs The Incredible Hulk ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/8 "2009-08-31T14:50:56Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > Actually, I can think that this might be very good for kids. Comics have gone way too adult, to the point where they’re very unattractive for young people anymore. Not that Disney has been doing very well in the comics department. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/9 "2009-08-31T14:55:55Z")
I wonder how this will affect the theme park world, as there is a Marvel land at Disney’s long-time rival Universal. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/10 "2009-08-31T15:10:16Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Wow… this could be epic! Nah, the Epic titles were geared to an older audience than Disney wants. ---
**Author:** ![Asylum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@Asylum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asylum)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/11 "2009-08-31T15:19:49Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Theoretically, this could result in the heads at Marvel being able to devote more time to the creative stuff. But on the other hand, the marketing force over at Disney might say that they have to start positioning themselves to teens, fully, so that Disney kids can be smoothly shuffled over into Marvel teens. I’m thinking that’s not likely. Revenue from comics is peanuts compared to revenue from movies and other license opportunities. Warner Brothers owns DC Comics and by and large it looks like they’re allowed to run around and do their own thing. Disney could mandate how Marvel produces its comics, but I’m thinking (hoping) it’s not worth the effort. > [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > Actually, I can think that this might be very good for kids. Comics have gone way too adult, to the point where they’re very unattractive for young people anymore. What’s wrong with it being more adult? Kids have plenty to entertain themselves with these days. Besides, last I checked Marvel already produces a line of comics aimed at children. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/12 "2009-08-31T15:19:55Z")
Dazzler vs. The Bear Country Jamboree Scarlet Witch vs. [Magica de Spell](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magica_De_Spell) [Forge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forge_(comics)) vs. Gyro Gearloose ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/13 "2009-08-31T15:28:15Z")
Kim Possible, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. The Little Sub-Mariner Maid Lilo and Skrull Aren’t Marvel-themed rides present at Disney’s rival park in Orlando, run by Universal Studios? I wonder how that’s going to shake out. Is Universal Orlando going to be putting the licensing money into Disney’s pocket now? There’s a bit of irony. ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/14 "2009-08-31T15:29:08Z")
Eh, I don’t see how this is any different from Time Warner owning DC Comics. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/15 "2009-08-31T15:31:14Z")
As a friend commented, the next Kingdom Hearts game is going to be freaking hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/16 "2009-08-31T15:32:30Z")
Well those Kingdom Hearts games will have a bunch more characters to use. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/17 "2009-08-31T15:32:31Z")
Possible effects of the Disney/Marvel merger: -Incredible Hulk now wears mouse ears, speaks in high-pitched voice -Controversial “One More Day” storyline rewritten so Spider-Man is now married to Hannah Montana -U2 soundtrack for Spider-Man musical dropped, new musical now consists of characters singing “It’s A Small World” for 90 minutes -“High School Musical 4” set at Xavier Institute, giving audiences the Zac Efron/Patrick Stewart teamup they’ve been dreaming of -Upon his death, Stan Lee to be cryogenically frozen alongside Walt Disney in hopes of someday combining the two into kindly father figure who says stuff like “true believers” and “excelsior” a lot ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/18 "2009-08-31T15:41:16Z")
This could be really good. Or bad. But I think getting a shakeup now is probably good for Marvel. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/19 "2009-08-31T16:03:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Muppets vs. X-Men How about **Walt Disney’s X-Men Babies**? **The Fantastic Four vs. Heffalumpactus** ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350/20 "2009-08-31T16:08:47Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > How about **Walt Disney’s X-Men Babies**? Kinda [already happened](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Babies). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-acquires-marvel/508350.md?page=2)