Loaded Couch Potatoes

Master Black talks about the new Disney / Marvel deal, and the leaked images from Hulkie the Pooh.

For anyone who hasn’t heard, the Walt Disney Co. has recently signed a deal to buy Marvel Comics and all of its subsidiaries. This news has brought a wave of commentary, from whether or not the price (approx. $4 billion) is “fair” for the two companies, to the inevitable forum rants about how much one group might negatively affect the other. I’ve reserved commentary during these first few days, in an attempt to override any knee-jerk judgment, and so I could chat with friends who also had ideas on the subject. All that said and done, what follows are some general talking-points concerning the merger.

Before continuing, the biggest source for some of these ideas came from this update.

General Company Affairs

It’s unlikely that John Lasseter will be walking through the Marvel offices firing people and telling them what color Spider-Man’s suit should be; that said, there is the possibility that Disney might extend their current HR practices. Disney currently has a hiring freeze in place as a means of helping to avoid too many layoffs; there has also been a higher level of job scrutiny and specialization, so the jobs that are available have a more dedicated focus. Aside from that, though, I don’t think Disney will be interfering too heavily with the business side of Marvel.

Creative Control  and Development

Again, Disney understands the importance of letting the people who are good at their job continue to generate good product. One thing I am really hoping for in this area, though, is that Disney might curtail the recent rash of “Marvel Events.” I’m just going to be honest: I don’t like the events. They break continuity of pre-established story arcs, interrupt vital character development, and at times completely negate the work of some really excellent teams.

Having watched the commentary tracks and development videos on numerous Pixar features, one thing that stands out is that those guys all work together, and that some of these projects have been in development for years. That is the kind of work I would really like to see emerge at Marvel. And before anyone gets too hotheaded, yes I know the creative teams at Marvel work with one another, and that they are generally aware of “events” well in advance so that they can work in necessary elements. I do not, however, agree with the practice of having other creative teams take more-or-less full control of certain key characters (see the hijacking of Captain America away from Ed Brubaker during the “Civil War).

The other “big” issue that has been bouncing around is that Disney will cancel production of the more adult-oriented side of Marvel, particularly the “MAX” branch. My response to this cannot be conveyed in polite conversation. I realize that some folks probably still consider Disney “for kids” and think the company will eliminate anything that can’t have a Hannah Montana song in the credits.  Any such individuals are, in my opinion, so far removed from actual events that their contribution is meaningless.

Marvel Animated Productions

The current run of DC animated features is beyond reproach on almost every level; they are well-animated, sharply written, and generally point an original spin on the characters. The Marvel features are, well, not so good. This being the case, I’m absolutely stoked about what I feel Disney could bring to the table.

Remember those God-awful direct-to-DVD sequels to classic Disney films? When Lasseter took the helm, he kept them around for two reasons: because they make money, and because they offer a phenomenal means of honing animators, writers, voice-actors, and other talent. What he did change, though, was the quality testing process; after all, training new skill-sets isn’t effective if you’re allowing the trainees to produce unimpressive material. The Marvel features could add yet another level to that system, and I’m going to be honest: If we can get Marvel animation with the production polish of Lion King II or Kronk’s New Groove, I’d be ecstatic.

Other Points of Interest

• The “Kid” Issue- There are several attempts by Marvel right now to re-introduce their franchises to a younger audience, the largest of these being some nightmarish amalgamation called the “Super Hero Squad Show.” The truth is, comics have suffered in recent years because younger audiences are less likely to become new readers. Even the generic plotlines are convoluted affairs, the trades are expensive (and are hard to follow chronologically), and the first time they can’t get the latest single issue at a Border’s while shopping with mom is the instant that catching up becomes nigh impossible. One thing Disney does really well is producing easily accessible content that doesn’t lose any of its thematic poignancy; don’t be surprised if a few new self-contained titles geared specifically at the 6-8 or 8-12 crowd emerge from this buyout.
• Collectables- From $3 keychains, to $15 t-shirts, to multi-thousand-dollar original pieces of memorabilia, Disney has a flair for giving collectors what they want.  And while comic book aficionados in general, and Marvel-produced items specifically, already have a well-developed niche, Disney could bring new things such as a company-sponsored system for locating rare items, or bring classic comics under their umbrella of authentication.
• Mass / International Marketing- Comic fans are a tiny subset of the population; it’s a harsh fact, but one that cannot be ignored if the industry is to have a future. Watchmen was an almost-perfect transcription of the original graphic novel, and fans of the comic were largely pleased with the outcome; from a comic guy’s standpoint, it was a great achievement. From a Warner Brothers stockholder’s vantage, though, it was not all it had promised. Being both a comics fan and a Disney buff, I can tell you that true Disney followers manage to be equally devoted; the fact that their beloved franchises are generally more publicly recognized does not hamper this devotion. If Disney can help Marvel generate content that becomes more readily recognized by John and Jane Doe, while not compromising what the true believers hold dear, it might be a turning point for American comics.

I know that these ideas are a little disjointed, and don’t even begin to cover the full spectrum of possible outcomes. But to be honest, outside of official company statements, everything flying around out there right now is hearsay and speculation. I just hope this will spark some conversation, and any comments that can expand what has been said here will be greatly appreciated, not the least of all by me.

PS – As far as I am aware, there are no plans for the feature film Hulkie the Pooh, nor are Iron Mouse and the animated musical The Little Submariner currently in development.