Spidey Meets Mickey: Disney’s Marvel-ous Buy

I guess it should not have come as a surprise this morning when I found out that the Walt Disney Company is set to buy Marvel Entertainment. On paper and theoretically, this deal appears to make sense. Marvel has demonstrated its creative prowess while suffering from leadership squabbles. Recall that in 1997, Marvel had to apply for bankruptcy protection, resulting in a feud among top executives for official control of the brand. Disney has had its share of financial ups and downs, but has become an even more prominent presence in the lives of Americans after it merged with the ABC network.

So, does this acquisition make sense from the point of view of each company? Yes, financial stability and expanded access to global marketing for Marvel and a steady influx of creativity for Disney. But the real question of the day: How will this move affect the creative juices of the people at Marvel?

Here is my list of potential repercussions to the Marvel U due to this transaction:
1) The Avengers finally find a new home: the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!
2) Can’t fly? No problem! I know a certain fairy that’s got a stash of some good powder that will make you fly high!
3) The solution to the mutant population problem? Cross-pollinating: mutants with a slew of Princesses.
4) Where are Donald, Mickey, and Pluto? Captured by Kraven the Hunter!
5) Marvel Team-ups will never be the same: Tarzan and Ka-Zar! Goofy and Madcap! Namor and the Little Mermaid! Doctor Strange and Aladin! Pixie and Tinkerbell! Wolverine and … Hey, we know EVERYONE will team-up with him!

Will we see a taming of the dark and brooding essence that has become the signature style of Marvel? I just don’t know what Disney would say about the last issue of X-Force, with an enslaved teenager (X-23) dangling in chains, her left arm amputated on the floor… something out of the SAW franchise. Or if they read that special issue of Moon Knight, where he carves the face off his nemesis and wears it to honor Konshu. Oh, how about the time Madrox absorbed his own child back into his body just after its mother, Siryn, delivered it! Is this okay now that kids, who fancy Hannah Montana and the Jonas Bros. are the potential target audience?

I am on high alert. I look forward to the shameless self-promotion and exponential growth in free plugs for products. BUT the moment, I feel that the creativity of Marvel creators are compromised, I am bailing. My gut tells me it won’t happen over night, but the Disney cheer is insidious. And when it takes over, it won’t be bloody, but it won’t be pretty either.