Well, I kid, but by now I’m sure you’ve all heard the breaking news: DISNEY BUYS MARVEL, and I’ve always wanted to use the “[Noun]? In my [Other Noun]?” format. :P
There are only a few naysayers, and most either confused or cautiously speculative, but I honestly don’t think many things on the fandom end will be affected; there will just be more money in different people’s pockets. What’s really going to change with this acquisition? Disney is notorious for aggressive merchandising and pushing their licensed characters, but will a flood of new action figures and new Marvel-themed rides at Disneyland really affect Marvel’s artistic integrity or quality of work? As long as Disney keeps its hand out of what the folks at Marvel actually do, then I don’t see a problem. People were upset when Disney bought out Pixar too, but Pixar has, for the most part, retained its autonomy and continues to produce outstanding films. So why shouldn’t I expect Marvel to continue making comics like it always has?
Some people are concerned with the long list of Marvel properties being developed as films at the moment, but it isn’t like Disney is forcibly severing Marvel’s existing contracts with the dozens of studios already involved. If Marvel’s success in movies is part of why it was attractive to Disney, then shouldn’t Disney just let them continue doing their thing? Others are concerned that Disney might take away from the maturity and violence of certain Marvel titles, but if Disney was also attracted to Marvel’s popularity with boys and men of a wide demographic, why would they tamper with that by numbing anything down? Of course, logic hasn’t stopped companies from shooting themselves in the foot before, but Disney should know that they can’t afford to make too many mistakes here.
I guess I might be more concerned if I actually read more Marvel titles, but my Western comic consumption is pretty limited as is, and even then, it’s mostly DC for Batman. Still, I see this mostly as just another acquisition that will be accepted soon enough, just like Disney and Pixar and when Adobe bought Macromedia.
As for Kingdom Hearts, I don’t really think that Spider-Man will be making his debut there any time soon, but Square-Enix is just as notorious for exploiting its properties as Disney, so who would really be surprised? Sora, Spidey, and Mickey VS Xemnas, the Lizard, and Sephiroth, why the hell not?? At this point, Kingdom Hearts is every bit as much of a cash cow as Final Fantasy, so I’m not too invested in the franchise keeping any kind of integrity anymore. It’s too late for that already, so whatever! Bring it. …I’ll still buy it. Integration might be a little awkward considering most Marvel characters reside in the “real world,” but hey, it would be kind of awesome if Sora and his buddies could visit Manhattan and do the tourist thing. Sora in Times Square! Sora in Central Park! Sora at the Statue of Liberty! Sora riding in a taxi! I mean, they’ve already visited Port Royal and that was a real place too.
Just think, you could have Wolverine as a summon and he’d slash through Heartless for you… Okay, so I can’t actually picture Logan taking orders from Sora at all, but heeey. Maybe if Sora buys him a cigar and a beer.
People still wonder about Mickey Mouse and lets say, Spiderman being together in Disneyland…
Many could find that odd…. :)
Well, parents will likely see Spidey as just another cartoon, so I don’t really see anything disorienting there. Little kids are also unlikely to differentiate between the properties. Teens and adult fans might find it a little jarring at first, but I just see it all as entertainment in the end. :O
I find two major problems with this. First I despise Disney as a company. Second the notion that comics and cartoons aren’t just for little kids has just flown out the window.
Eh, the majority of people that think that comics are just for kids would continue thinking that regardless, and the people that already know aren’t going to change their minds because Marvel is suddenly reporting to Disney. Disney also owns Touchstone after all, and they’ve put out plenty of more awesome movies aimed at an older audience.
Miyazaki flims in KINGDOM HEARTS. Think about it. Maybe a Panyo summon (that becomes larger than fish-form, or changes between fish-form and human-form depending on action/use) from Atlantica. At least, Rave Motion Pictures gave it as based on The Little Mermaid.
Sora in Times Square! Sora in Central Park! Sora at the Statue of Liberty!
^
Sora in Shibuya! o wait…
I’m fully aware of Touchstone but Disney is without a doubt associated with kids. The ignorant masses only need to point at this to say Disney produces comics. Stereotypes don’t need to be based in truth. Oh we’re not even talking about what happens to Universal’s Island of Adventures or what is going to happen down the road with the movie contracts.
@TJF588: To be honest, the less we see of Atlantica, the happier I’ll be. XD
@Jarmel: Well, sure, but I don’t think there’s a point in focusing on the ignorance of the ignorant masses because regardless of what Marvel’s associated with, they will continue to think that comics are for kids. Marvel’s been independent for 70 years and people still think comics are for kids. If someone points at Disney making comics as a sign of childishness, point out that Disney also made Pretty Woman, The Royal Tenenbaums, Coyote Ugly, and Gone in 60 Seconds.
I do realize that further down the road, after Marvel’s current contracts with other studios expire, Disney will likely want to take production of Marvel’s movies in-house, but it isn’t like Disney is utterly incapable of producing good movies, so I’d rather wait and see what happens with that than go on raging about it now.
“Sora, Spidey, and Mickey VS Xemnas, the Lizard, and Sephiroth, why the hell not??”
Why would you say that ;_;?
Why the hell not!
Looking forward to Marvel vs. Disney. It’d be so hilarious to use say Goofy to whoop Wolverine’s behind.
Dude… Marvel and Disney should not mix. I love the thought of Disney becoming more kick ass, but it will be a sad day when we see a Donald/Captain America duo.