But Disney is the devil.

Initial reaction: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Maybe it will be better . . . ?

“And think about how awesome the latest Marvel produced movies have been compared to the Fox/Sony produced Marvel movies…now, with “the devil” owning Marvel, they may have the muscle necessary to buy/fenagle back the rights to produce Spider-Man/X-Men/etc. movies whose rights had been bought prior to Marvel producing their own masterpieces.”

I hope this ends up being the case…

I think that’s probably the case here: Disney is quite the successful telecommunications megademon, and they’ve long been annoyed by the fact that Warners owns DC, and they own…Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers. This is a fairly logical aquisition for them, I’m just surprised they’re doing it *now* and not like 10 years ago when Marvel was at a bit of a low ebb, and it would have been quite a bit cheaper. But no doubt in my mind that they’ll snap up the rights to all the alredy-optioned properties ASAP.

But, what about the licensing to Paramount that Marvel Studios has? The whole point of Marvel creating their own studio was to have the control over their characters for future movies (like The Avengers), doesn’t this kind of throw a wrench in that?

I suppose that it’s the same concept; Disney now having the ability to keep Marvel characters in one studio so each film can be related to the next one like how Warner Bros. is with it’s DC properties.

But, is it safe to assume these 5,000 characters are safe in Disney’s hands? Can we expect a ton of shitty prime time teen dramas and comedies on ABC and it’s networks?

I don’t know if it’s a bad thing, but it’s a scary thing. I know fans aren’t gonna wanna see a ton of Disney/Marvel crossovers just because. If I have to see Howard the Duck and Donald Duck team up and fight Mephesto or Mickey Mouse team up with Deadpool and go on a road trip, I’m gonna shit a fucking kitten.

It kinda reminds me of how that TV company bought Wayne’s World from Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar… Oh, wait that was just a movie.

Saw a bit of this on igncomics.com

There was a quote from someone at Disney that made it sound as if they weren’t optioning movie rights back right now. Basically said they have been successful recently and “if it ain’t broke…”

Seems they are taking the same tactic with games so we can expect to see more of the goodness that was Wolverine’s recent bloody outing. MUA2 should have no delays either.

Disney has a little wider profile than they get credit for having. Disney’s ownership will not preclude blood or violence in their new comic acquisition.

I think most indicitive is what the COMICS people are saying: Joe Q (via Twitter)is all smiles: “Everybody take a deep breath, all your favorite comics remain unchanged and Tom Brevoort remains grouchy.” and “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.”
According to the Disney shareholders conf call earlier today, there were meetings between John Lasseter and the Marvel folks that they all got so excited they had to be told to shut up and calm down because the deal wasn’t done yet.
And if this means that GREAT cartoons like Wolverine and the X-men or Spectacular spider-man get better airtime on the Disney/ABC flagship stations– BRING IT ON.

Disney says that they’re managing Marvel like they have Pixar, and that all of the licensing agreements that are in place will stay there, including their agreements with Paramount.

They’ve also said that they will not tinker with Marvel at all, they’re doing a fine job, they’re basically just offering them a lot more resources to play with.

Also, this means much, much more Marvel cartoons. Apparently, Disney XD channel (?) runs about 20 hours a week of Marvel content and they’ve been chomping at the bit at more and this makes that happen.

The boards over at Marvel.com are crazy… It’s a must see: http://marvel.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=165455

Disney may not be THE Devil (that is Walmart).
But they are a significant corporate demon.

And the Pixar comparison is a weak one.
Pixar has puts out 1 movie a year there abouts – And they were making sunshine lollypop fair to begin with.

Marvel has had a consistent track record (and has staked its reputation on) having stories that dealt with difficult social topics, in sometimes – more recently often times very very dark ways.

Disney has a track record of tucking tail when met with the possibility of upsetting the delicate sensitivities of the delusional fluffy bunny demographics it calls its bread and butter. Either directly, or though it various holdings.

It may not happen right away – but this deal WILL eventually spell the end of artistic integrity at Marvel.
Its a sad sad day for comic books.

I don’t think that’s the case, Erin…

Think about what would have happened if Disney would have done that with their Miramax or Touchstone properties? They have different banners so that they CAN let them do what they need to do…

And does this mean we’ll see Marvel characters and rides and Disney theme parks now?

Disney is not the devil, they just do devilish things. I think a lot of the hesitation over the issue comes out because Disney, for the most part, consider themselves family entertainment. They also tend to dictate what entertainment is to a degree. I’m sure if a few dead authors could ride from the grave, they’d have issues over what’s been done to their stories by adding talking animals and inanimate objects to make modern-day jokes. But let’s skip to the point.

I think its the overall fear of one day down the road, a character like Wolverine will be “declawed” if you will. The violence, the fighting, the turbulent history, the character in general, being reduced to a shell of his former self based on standards the parent company would want. And I think we’ll end up having to wait and see what they do with the first Disney-animated series that comes from the Marvel library.

Its not going to be an overnight thing, but you can’t not expect that to happen.

If memory serves – they DID do that.
Hello – DOGMA, Kevin Smith, the Weinstein brothers, ringing any bells???

…and I’m sorry, have you seen ABC’s line up?
and don’t even get me started on the ABC FAMILY.

Its bad news.

I agree completely with Dr. Simulcast and E.Kubinek. Disney might not have any intention of interfering with story decisions at Marvel right now but all it will take to change that is one parent group waving compies of Punisher MAX screaming that Disney is peddling ultra-violent comics to children (because everyone knows comics are only intended for children) and Disney will cave just like they did with Dogma.

I wouldn’t imagine that Der Maus will screw around with Marvel’s internal policy or storytelling. Long as they make money, their new rodent overlords will leave ‘em alone, but if they hit a bad patch, then they’ll step in and heads will roll.

I felt like I was in a twilight zone episode when I heard this.

Disney owns too much shit, IMHO. It’s like a virus. Until I see and I’m enamored with the new Muppets movie, I’m reserving judgement though I tend to agree more with E. So far, they made the most terrible muppet movie ever (Muppet wizard of Oz), messed up some prime artistic companies (Miramax) and haven’t done anything at all with some of their awesome already acquired intellectual property (Crossgen).

Disney, as of now, will have no creative control. However, Disney rules prohibit any of its divisions from releasing NC-17 films. Even though they are printed, there are sometimes NC-17 like books coming out of Marvel. And yes Swank, as E. has told you, they HAVE done this to Miramax. All I want, if this continues to go forward, is for Marvel to cross their T’s and dot their I’s because if they don’t, they’ll end up forced to mind their P’s and Q’s on every comic as Seattlegeekly said.

I’m jus’ sayin’… it can happen. But I do want to thank Disney for finally releasing X-Men TAS on DVD, that was cool of “it”.

[...] buy pack some of these properties and keep everything in house (which would be sure to incite more bitching and moaning about how people think Disney will ruin their beloved Marvel characters), but it seems for the time [...]

Writer, Landry Walker (Supergirl, Batman, Incredibles) offers an interesting take on the situation:

“I see many people in many places speculating that Disney purchasing Marvel will result in a “softer” Marvel. On one hand, I must point out that in one of our Disney comics, we included:

A son killing his father.
A man beating his wife.
A woman transforming into a haggard corpse shrieking for the death of her child.
A man having his eyeball removed.
Physical torture.
Psychological torture.
Police brutality.
War. Death. Insanity.
And more…

On the other hand, I must say: Great. Let’s scale it back a notch. What is wrong with making these comics acceptable for all-ages again? It worked fine for decades. Now we face a dwindling and aging readership. A medium that is a shadow of what it once was. And what do people cry out against? The idea that characters that were created as all-ages entertainment might actually cater to all-ages again?

Seriously?

I’m all for adult entertainment. Personally, I like to read comics where girls with ridiculously inflated breasts in chain mail bikini’s kill their enemies with razor sharp weapons carved from baby skulls. Or whatever. But there is an appropriate time and place. I’m not sure that the mainstream comics world is where the “edge” people fear Disney will curtail should have ever been honed.

It really doesn’t matter. Disney isn’t going to force mouse ears on Wolverine and Spider-man won’t be in the next High School whatever. But maybe down the road we’ll see the company edge back over the line a bit.”

@ Budgetron “Spider-man won’t be in the next High School whatever”

…… actually – Spider was heading the song and dance route BEFORE the Disney buy out.
http://spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com/

Here – I thought the mature story lines were designed because that is what the aging fan based wanted.
And the “Ultimate” reboots were designed for all the kiddies – so they didn’t have to try and process 40 some years of Marvel universe continuity.

What is with every one putting on the sissy pants???

I think even the Ultimate universe quickly took a turn down the mature route IMHO.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little concerned about Disney softening up these characters to a certain degree, but I really don’t see that happening. Marvel has just had mounds of success with their movies, so why would they all of a sudden want to give all that up and let Disney take the reins? I’m sure there is a lot that is going into this deal that no one on this comment board, other geek forums, or any other geek/nerd news site would understand.

So yeah, I can see why people are rightfully concerned, and on the flip side I can see why this could potentially be a great thing… but at the end of the day, Disney and Marvel don’t give a shit about what you think about their deal.

I think what Landry Walker is assuming, is that we are all talking about “violence”. I am not, even though I do understand where they are coming from.

What I’m talking about is more of religious and sexual/gender identity. They are so scarce already, I think you are forgetting that violence is more widely accepted than atheists and homosexuals.

I just hope for the best. I agree with E., even Ultimates already seemed neutered, that’s just this bots opinion.

A bit late in my response, but what can you do?

Pencilbot: “What I’m talking about is more of religious and sexual/gender identity. They are so scarce already, I think you are forgetting that violence is more widely accepted than atheists and homosexuals.”

I based my blog post on dozens of different opinions echoed on several different sites (and this one I did not read until now). While you are correct that maturity can come in many forms (and I agree with you that the issues you raise should be given more weight), I was specifically targeting the subject of violence and sexuality and how they are often overexposed in the medium. So no… I’m not assuming in regards to what people are talking about. I read specific points and constructed my own counterpoint. Your concerns did not happen to be expressly represented anywhere I read until now.

As you say, the issues that concern you are scarce within the pages of comics already. If those issues are being handled so infrequently, why would their survival suddenly be of such great concern to the general public? Frankly, if comics readers were as deeply concerned with the issues as you suggest, we would see that reflected in the sales figures.

And I am very well aware that violence is more widely accepted than the genuinely mature subject material you mention. Violence is too readily embraced and used as a substitution for maturity, which was kinda my point.

In regards to sexual/gender identity and religious issues: These are both topics Disney as a parent company has not shied away from any more than modern Marvel has. There is no foundation to assume that Disney will force Marvel to do so now.

Again: My post was addressing a general point. I’m sure if you question each individual they will cite many concerns often associated with mature comics outside of violence and sex. Political intrigue. Sophisticated language. Complex storylines. Detailed artwork. Gender identity and religion.

Also: The list I included about violence found within one of my Disney comics? The issue also dealt heavily with religion as subjective and the power of a God as a matter of perspective. Disney didn’t blink.

I really don’t think there is much to worry about.

I think the effects of this will be seen in Japan more than any where.

Marvel + Disney = many MANY insane Japanese comic books.

On the plus – Disney makes some SWEET merch.
THeir statues are LOVELY.
So maybe we’ll see some better/ more creative Marvel Universe merchandise from the deal at the Disney store?

[...] were a lot of strong feelings on both ends of this Disney buying Marvel argument, so what are your thoughts on this teeny bit of [...]