The Mo and The Ro

Okay. The title does say alot but it’s not entirely indicative of my stance on what will happen now that Disney has bought out Marvel. It just has a nice ring – that and Donald’s spin punches were hilarious!

Having been announced a few months back in August, in reality this topic has already come and gone.   However, it still feels as fresh as the day it was announced, at least everywhere I go (yeah, yeah). The question of ‘What will become of Marvel?’ seems to have replaced ‘You see last week’s re-run episode of Battlestar Galactica?’ in the land of the Geeks, which tells me the nerd community stirs. The constant bickering between Marvel purists who believe Disney will leave their taint over Marvel’s prestigious fictional lineage versus those who believe Disney’s large purse will unleash the true potential of Marvel’s starving artists has left a community in disarray. It is now time to find that sweet equilibrium and shove it down people’s throats!

First question, doesn’t anyone else find it odd and hypocritical that a community that already witnessed a merger between DC Comics and Warner Brothers cannot foresee a future for Marvel Comics? Granted, the WB is not the same type of company as Disney (criticized for their use of sweatshops and child labor); however, they have set an example by staying out of the business of DC comics, other than to distribute and make the odd cartoon, television show, theme park ride, or movie.  The idea of funneling creativity through comics and into other mediums is insanely popular at the moment, so why would we believe the even more business savvy Disney would not make similar choices?

In terms of creative control, this merger means nothing. I think it’s quite clear that Disney’s arms are tied in good business practice. Number one: Marvel’s biggest blockbusters are signed deals with other companies. Number two: Marvel’s comic library is too established / revered to be manipulated without becoming a catastrophic failure. Neither point seems to have deterred Disney from going forward on the deal. As such, I would expect them to look for new opportunities in the future, be it through new toys, kid’s cartoons and the like, but don’t expect any company as driven to make the almighty buck as Disney to be stupid enough to anger Marvel’s core fans.  At Least until the demographic of those core fans shift… but until then the only question you should be asking yourself is ‘Are those Hulk pajamas made in North America?’

Prediction: Marvel Comics will go largely untouched by Disney for a long time, aside from the occasional subtle references found hidden like secret treasures throughout various Deadpool comics – nothing escapes Deadpool’s fourth dimensional awareness. Remember that when all hope is lost.

Sincerely,

The Merc

PS: Big thanks to the Mo and the Ro for being hip to the comic scene and giving me the chance to strut my stuff all over these inter-webs in style.