
"This transaction combines Marvel`s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney`s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories," said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. "Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney."
I would like to point out two interesting side effects to this. The first is that I have no idea what effect it will have on Marvel Superhero Island in Universal Studio's Island of Adventure, which is a major competitor of Walt Disney World. Second, this acquisition follows an announcement in June that Stan Lee and his POW! Entertainment would be joining forces with Walt Disney Studios to develop new entertainment properties of all forms.