Comic book fans will either remember August 31, 2009 as another square on the calendar or as the end of an era. Today The Walt Disney Co. announced its purchase of Marvel Entertainment Inc. for 4 billion dollars. Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man all under the same roof - a sign of the apocalypse? I guess we'll wait and see.From a business stand point this deal favors Marvel along with its stockholders (Marvel stock went up $9.72 a share to close at $48.37 a share). Imagine what Marvel might do with Disney's deep pockets. Maybe Marvel can collaborate with its new sister company, Pixar. Hmmm... intriguing possibilities! At the same time Disney gains access to Marvel's universe of characters and all the movie franchise potential that lies there in. Time Warner Inc. has done well since acquiring DC Comics back in 1969 (ignoring the stench of "Batman & Robin" (1997) with George Clooney). How long before we see Spider-Man the Ride at a Disney theme park near you?
From my point of view Disney is 1 for 2 on its acquisitions. In 1993 Disney purchased Miramax Films in the great indie rush of the early 90's. Independent films were a hot commodity back then and all the major studios wanted a piece of the action. But Miramax made its name by producing edgy films like "The Crying Game", "Reservoir Dogs", and "The Piano". Bob and Harvey Weinstein sought out talents like Tarantino that certainly do not fit the Disney mold. The creative differences and in-fighting between Disney and the Weinstein brothers got to the point that in 2005 the boys left Miramax Films and started the Weinstein Co. Disney's next acquisition occurred in 2006 when, after an extremely difficult courtship, Disney purchased Pixar. This deal can truly be described as a "match made in heaven" since both companies shared similar sensibilities. Pixar has flourished, and Disney has only profited from this acquisition.
I've all ready read some of the comments online about the team up of Marvel and Disney. Most comments seem favorable, but my suspicion is that this relationship will have more in common with Miramax than Pixar. Disney did not just offer 4 billion dollars to be an absentee landlord. Disney will have some say as to the kinds of comic books Marvel produces - remember for a lot of us Marvel is and will always be a comic book company. All Disney needs is for some right-wing parent organization to get a hold of a comic, such as the current "Dark Tower" series, to start clamoring about the kind of "smut" Disney is "peddling to our children". At that point, we can all set a timer to see how long before Disney begins to homogenize what Marvel does. Disney has no choice. The Walt Disney Co. is extremely protective of its image built around family friendly entertainment. This Marvel and Disney team up will play out over many issues... here's hoping that we are happy with the ending.
