Politics Daily
Inside Politics Daily
Valentine's Dinner Odds in Blizzard Season
Scott Brown and the Palin Path: Will He Choose Brassy or Boring?
Democrats Leave Health Care Behind for Jobs, Toyota, Gays in Military
Murtha Turned Against War, but Not Grab-While-You-Can Politics
Rep. John Murtha, Advocate for Pa. District, Pentagon, Dies at 77
Liz Christman, Enemy of the Passive Voice, Who Rocked Some Jaunty Hats
Is Obama's Search for 'Common Ground' Real?- Tim Tebow's Brilliant Fake Leads to Pro-Life Score
'Snowmageddon' in D.C. -- The Politics, Talk Shows and Snowball Fights Go On
Sarah Palin Serves Tea Party Delegates Red Meat and Certainty
My Left Breast Put Fancy TSA Scanner to the Test
From a Grass Roots Tea Party, a PAC Blooms
Will Disney Disrupt the Marvel Universe?
The Walt Disney Co.'s acquisition of Marvel Entertainment on Monday was a keen business move and could signal an improving economic climate, but I hope the $4 billion deal doesn't also mean the loss of compelling comic-book storytelling. I'm not a longtime comic-book fan, as are my husband and brother. I didn't store comic books in crates like my brother (my guilty pleasures were Harlequin romances and romantic suspense novels), but I have a special affection for Peter Parker and the tribulations of Spider-Man. And because my husband has continued to school me about the ins and outs of the Marvel Universe, I wonder about the potential Disney-fication of the Marvel characters. Will Disney dampen the dramatic voice of superheroes like Thor? Will Marvel compromise realistic characters for pixie dust? Don't get me wrong. I was weaned supercalifragilisticexpialidociously on Disney -- from "Mary Poppins" to "Peter Pan" and "Bedknobs and Broomsticks." I yelped and hollered at the Pirates of the Caribbean when the pirates were features of a Disneyland ride -- not characters in movies with Johnny Depp's trademark eyeliner. When I was babysitting years ago, I was more touched watching "The Lion King" than the kid was. But Disney joining up with Marvel is like a collision of galaxies. Pinocchio and Iron Man? The Hulk and Tinker Bell? Aladdin vs. Galactus? The Fantastic Four and Hannah Montana?
Disney President and CEO Robert Iger said the goal "is not to rebrand Marvel as Disney." I hope he enforces that point of view. As my husband said, "You can't wuss-down" the characters of the Marvel Universe. You can't push them into a small world after all. If Marvel's story treasures are conformed to a Mickey Mouse template, the Magic Kingdom won't just lose the coveted audience of young males. They will lose me.
Follow Judy Howard Ellis on Twitter.
PD toolbar!
and download the new Politics Daily toolbar!
-
PRINT
-
IM
-
E-mail
10 comments
+ add your own
Judy Howard Ellis
Judith Howard Ellis, is the founder of DaybreakLit, a consulting and coaching firm. more
Comments (10)
Michyle
8:22AM Sep 1st 2009
I wouldn't mind a small remake of the Marvel Universe, its gotten pretty cynical and dark. Definetely not the Marvel I grew up with.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(-6)
(-6) 
Chris Williams
10:51AM Sep 1st 2009
Many comic book heroes are intended to be dark. In the 1970s and 1980s, many comic books got very cheesy, campy interpretations (The Flash, Superman, Batman, etc.). 2000's X-Men, 2000's Spiderman, 2005's Sin City and 2005's Batman Begins put a needed new spin on the comic book universe as did the new adaptations on Frank Miller and Alan Moore's comic book works. Even Disney has become darker with their Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
The dark depiction has been taken more seriously as these films are making unprecidented money, acclaim and awards. In many ways, the bright happy days of "good always wins" are over and the more realistic dark depiction of crime, corruption and death are captivating the public's mind as it reflects the feelings of many in relation to everyday politics and events.
The biggest problem of Disney's acquiration of Marvel is the strong possibility of a too many remakes. Prior to the 2000s, comic book movies weren't as frequent. Now there are entirely too many thus being an exploitation of the genre, which could very well kill it as projects are only put out there due to the possibility of making money rather than a respectful presentation of the characters and their storylines.
The dark depiction has been taken more seriously as these films are making unprecidented money, acclaim and awards. In many ways, the bright happy days of "good always wins" are over and the more realistic dark depiction of crime, corruption and death are captivating the public's mind as it reflects the feelings of many in relation to everyday politics and events.
The biggest problem of Disney's acquiration of Marvel is the strong possibility of a too many remakes. Prior to the 2000s, comic book movies weren't as frequent. Now there are entirely too many thus being an exploitation of the genre, which could very well kill it as projects are only put out there due to the possibility of making money rather than a respectful presentation of the characters and their storylines.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(4)
(4) Charlie
2:39PM Sep 1st 2009
To respond to Chris Williams (long time no see): Actually, some of the best Batmans came out of the 1970s (Neal Adams and the Marshell Rogers/Steve Englehart stories come to mind).
On the article, I liked the Disney / Marvel team up ideas.
Here are some others:
Spider-man and Super Goof.
(Super Goof, for those who don't remember this, was Goofy's super hero alter ego.)
Doctor Doom vs. Scrooge McDuck
(Tony Stark would make a good business partner for 'ole Scrooge)
The Black Panther, on the trail of Mickey Mouse.
Howard the Duck and Donald Duck.
The Fantastic Four babysit Huey, Dewey and Louie.
Snow White and the Seven original Avengers.
(plus, the battle between Hulk and Grumpy!)
Cinder-Parker.
("My spider-senses! Tingling! Midnight is coming! I must get my Spider-mobile back to Aunt May's before it turns into a Pumpkin!")
I'm sure there are a million of them...
On the article, I liked the Disney / Marvel team up ideas.
Here are some others:
Spider-man and Super Goof.
(Super Goof, for those who don't remember this, was Goofy's super hero alter ego.)
Doctor Doom vs. Scrooge McDuck
(Tony Stark would make a good business partner for 'ole Scrooge)
The Black Panther, on the trail of Mickey Mouse.
Howard the Duck and Donald Duck.
The Fantastic Four babysit Huey, Dewey and Louie.
Snow White and the Seven original Avengers.
(plus, the battle between Hulk and Grumpy!)
Cinder-Parker.
("My spider-senses! Tingling! Midnight is coming! I must get my Spider-mobile back to Aunt May's before it turns into a Pumpkin!")
I'm sure there are a million of them...
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) dude
1:39PM Sep 1st 2009
Great...all the super heros will now be open homosexuals...
Also to whoever wrote this drivel, if the economy were bouncing back so well..marvel wouldn't have had to sell in the first place..moron.
Also to whoever wrote this drivel, if the economy were bouncing back so well..marvel wouldn't have had to sell in the first place..moron.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) Sue
2:01PM Sep 1st 2009
Hey DUDE...are you afraid of something? Like your own sexuality?
I THINK SO or, you would not have written what you did.
I THINK SO or, you would not have written what you did.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(2)
(2) joedenver60
2:54PM Sep 1st 2009
I think its pretty cool, just as long they stay with the script, that so many of us, back in the 70's spent so much time reading this stuff. I would hate to see any of these super hero's become..... panty waist liberals
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) David S.
3:34PM Sep 1st 2009
This is much anxiety over nothing. If Disney had the money and Marvel agreed, that is between them. Comic books won't go away and the folks who like to collect them will still be able to do so. Like any movie studio, Disney is out to make money.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(0)
(0) Kris
5:56PM Sep 1st 2009
So what does that mean for the Marvel island at Universal FLA? Disney doesn't like other parks using there copyrights.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) aiart0001
8:18PM Sep 2nd 2009
http://www.bhshoe.com%%%%
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33/
Nike shox(R4,NZ,OZ,TL1,TL2,TL3) $35/
Handbags(Coach lv fendi d&g) $35/
Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) $16/
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30/
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,Armaini) $16/
New era cap $15/
Bikini (Ed hardy,polo) $25/
FREE SHIPPING#$(#*($#*&@*#*&#%
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33/
Nike shox(R4,NZ,OZ,TL1,TL2,TL3) $35/
Handbags(Coach lv fendi d&g) $35/
Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) $16/
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30/
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,Armaini) $16/
New era cap $15/
Bikini (Ed hardy,polo) $25/
FREE SHIPPING#$(#*($#*&@*#*&#%
RATE THIS COMMENT: (0)
(0) aiart0001
8:35PM Sep 2nd 2009
http://www.bhshoe.com %%%%
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33/
Nike shox(R4,NZ,OZ,TL1,TL2,TL3) $35/
Handbags(Coach lv fendi d&g) $35/
Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) $16/
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30/
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,Armaini) $16/
New era cap $15/
Bikini (Ed hardy,polo) $25/
FREE SHIPPING$$$$$
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33/
Nike shox(R4,NZ,OZ,TL1,TL2,TL3) $35/
Handbags(Coach lv fendi d&g) $35/
Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) $16/
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30/
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,Armaini) $16/
New era cap $15/
Bikini (Ed hardy,polo) $25/
FREE SHIPPING$$$$$
RATE THIS COMMENT: (0)
(0) Add your comments
Woman Up on Facebook
Now Commenting
- lopjackie21 on:
Robert Gibbs Gets Hands-On About Mocking Sarah Palin - CB-SENIOR CHIEF RET on:
Rep. John Murtha, Advocate for Pa. District, Pentagon, Dies at 77 - Dave on:
Robert Gibbs Gets Hands-On About Mocking Sarah Palin - rironhorset on:
From a Grass Roots Tea Party, a PAC Blooms - melanie on:
Tim Tebow's Brilliant Fake Leads to Pro-Life Score - crabbychief on:
Robert Gibbs Gets Hands-On About Mocking Sarah Palin
Submit Your Favorite Links
No.
Props
Props
- 34
- 35
- 29
- 31
- 26
- 21
Follow Politics Daily
Other News
- Get busy, Democrats
- Behind Liz Cheney's group, a weird legacy of torture
- The race is on for Murtha's seat
- The real political realities
- Senate blocks NLRB appointee
- Gay Soldier Invited Back to Guard Unit
- Schumer's Wall Street Donors Look for Revenge
- Michael Steele Suggests Racism Fuels His Critics
- Robert Gibbs Pokes Fun at Sarah Palin
- World Likes Obama Much More Than Bush
- Ellen's First Night
- The Perfect Homemade Candies
- The Mystery of Yo-Yo Ma's Name
- White Out
- How Palin Could Win
- Few New Ideas in Jobs Bill
- Unions Give $$$ to Target Tea Partiers
- D.C. Braces for 2nd Blast of Winter
- Clinton Hostage-Taker Now a Fugitive
- Toyota Recalls 437,000 Prius, Hybrids Globally
Politics Daily More Links