Disney buys Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion

http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/31/news/companies/disney_marvel/index.htm


Summary

This article is about how Disney bought Marvel Entertainment, owners of your very own Spider-man and Wolverine, for $4 Billion. This news came as a shock to many faithful followers of Marvel Comics as people flooded the internet to find out more about what happened this massive comic industry.
In a conference call with investors, Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said the deal will allow Disney to sell Marvel's vast array of characters and properties across different media platforms and in many markets. This deal would give Disney an opportunity to market more content that would appeal more to boys and girls alike, a market that keeps on getting stronger and stronger

Connections

Disney made a major decision in buying Marvel. During a tough economic time, they made a right choice by cementing themselves as the strongest in the entertainment business.
Disney might as well took into account the channels of distribution as well as promotion, of the marketing mix. Marvel has a huge fan base, that now would be fan's of Disney. All comics including X-Men, Spiderman, Wolverine etc., will now be sold as a product of Disney, not Marvel. $4 billion is just peanuts for Disney, in the long run, they will earn billions with the help of Marvel. Now not only will they gain more publicity with newer fans but will retain old faithfuls because of their love of the comics and their characters.
Marvel has over 5,000 characters in their library. Combining them with Disney, is what they are planning. From comics, to video games to toys for young boys.

Perhaps Mickey Mouse as a villain in one of Wolverine's comics?

Reflection

In the end, I give Disney a big thumbs up for what they did. I think it was a glorious decision in taking over Marvel. This will seriously boost their revenues and assets. But from Marvel's point of view. I believe they should have gone down with a fight. After all, they have a huge industry with an even bigger fan base.
As a Marvel fan myself, I do fear that Disney in some way might try to merge characters from both the universe, this will truly tarnish all the hard work that Marvel put into making their characters into what they are now.