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[Bobby Roberts]

So, I'm scrolling through twitter, and I see a link from USA Today's Brian Truitt, who points towards an article in the Hollywood Reporter. The article is about Wang Jianlin, otherwise known as China's richest man. He's already purchased AMC theaters, and the article goes into detail as to the hows and whys of his pursuing the purchase of Time Warner, explaining how Rupert Murdoch's bid failed.

The interesting part jumps out at me at the bottom of the article, where the writer, Clifford Coonan, lists off "Three Other Suitors-In-Waiting"

1) Disney
2) Google
3) Apple

The relevant paragraph:

The prospect of combining Disney's Marvel with Time Warner's DC Comics might be too compelling to ignore, plus CNN would give Disney the cable news asset it lacks. Disney's market cap as of Aug. 8 was $149 billion compared with Time Warner's $63 billion, which gives Disney CEO Bob Iger more leverage than Murdoch might have had.

Now, I can't tell if Coonan is simply speculating, much like Bill Simmons builds whole NBA articles out of using the Trade Simulator on ESPN.com, or if any of those three companies have actually made headway into exploring the possibility of buying Time Warner.

But this quote from Variety, in an article about Star Wars theme parks, is a pretty interesting look into how Disney might be feeling themselves:

When asked if Disney was looking to broker new licensing deals with other franchise owners for attractions the way it did with James Cameron’s “Avatar,” Iger dismissed the notion, citing properties owned by Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm,

“We don’t have to license from third parties,” he said. “We own them all.”

Now, Iger's on his way out, and he's content to let the Star Wars thing be his victory lap. It's a hell of a contentment, really, reviving Star Wars and announcing a theme park. But whoever replaces him is also going to look to make a big splash, and if Disney is in the place right now where they feel like they're gonna flat-out own everything that's worth owning, I'm wondering if that means "Superheroes," period.

Would you welcome a future in which Disney owns both Marvel AND DC? ESPN and CNN?

 

[bearythebear]

DC might have to be spinned off, to prevent a comic book monopoly.

 

[badcrumble]

Outside of the outside shot of Disney being able to buy the rights to Fantastic Four (because of all of the very important antagonists that come with it), anything else that people have posited or blatantly wished for (like Marvel buying Spider-Man or X-Men) would only result in *fewer* superhero films. Period. We get a lot of them because multiple studios are competing for your dollars.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

The comic book movie production company wars will become 10x stupider.

 

[Patryn]

I suspect that if that happened, it may be bad in the long run for both Marvel and DC.

Disney is only going to make so many big-budget superhero films. If they had both properties, I think the odds of getting things like Dr. Strange and Ant-man drop dramatically.

They'll focus on the big guns.

DC would probably get it the worst, because Marvel is now an established brand. It'd be back to just Batman, Superman and probably Wonder Woman.

 

[Camp Lo]

guaranteed Gotham/Metropolis Planet in Kingdom Hearts

 

[Bulzeeb]

I guess that there will be some anti-monopoly laws in action if that ever happens

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

Well warner did almost sell dc to marvel in the 80s. They came so close that marvel even started writing the script for superman issue 1

 

[fallengorn]

So there's a chance we'd get an Amalgam movie?

 

[Lord of Castamere]

If they do I hope it doesn't impact the game departments. WB is quickly picking up steam in that area. I'm actually excited to see what WBIE can achieve this generation.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

So there's a chance we'd get an Amalgam movie?

I think you'd have to start w/ Superman v. Spider-Man first.

The "Monopoly" worries are interesting, in that I don't think you can monopolize a genre. If they own all the superheroes "worth owning" I don't think that falls on the wrong side of a monopoly law. If there's anything resembling a monopoly in comics, it's Diamond's method of distribution. The big two becoming the big one isn't a monopoly because there's still a bunch of other publishers working and competing (Image, Dark Horse, etc. etc.)

 

[TheCowboyPoet]

Batman in Avengers 3!!! Batman in Avengers 3!!!!

 

[Coriolanus]

If they do I'd quite enjoy to see them hit with an antitrust lawsuit.

 

[Sibersk Esto]

They could release movies for both companies and rake in the dough

 

[Zombine]

Disney would not have a "monopoly" on the comic book industry. Image, IDW, Dark Horse, Dynamite, and BOOM! Are still independently owned.

Spoiler

It would not be good for DC though.

 

[Blader]

Wait, Iger is stepping down?

 

[DarkFlow]

I think you'd have to start w/ Superman v. Spider-Man first.

The "Monopoly" worries are interesting, in that I don't think you can monopolize a genre. If they own all the superheroes "worth owning" I don't think that falls on the wrong side of a monopoly law. If there's anything resembling a monopoly in comics, it's Diamond's method of distribution. The big two becoming the big one isn't a monopoly because there's still a bunch of other publishers working and competing (Image, Dark Horse, etc. etc.)

I also don't think uncle sam is going to give a shit about a comic book monopoly.

 

[Abounder]

If they do I hope it doesn't impact the game departments. WB is quickly picking up steam in that area. I'm actually excited to see what WBIE can achieve this generation.

Ditto with the Animation department. In my opinion DC animation and video games are a tier above their competitors.

I think you'd have to start w/ Superman v. Spider-Man first.

Do you think Sony will sell the move rights to Spidey in the near future?

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Again, I'm not sure Disney buying Warners (and thus, DC Entertainment) is an antitrust suit waiting to happen. The concept of superheroes isn't being purchased by Disney, just another company's characters.

Owning Superman and Spider-Man at the same time doesn't mean you own all the superheroes, and even if it did, owning all the superheroes isn't a monopoly in that "Superheroes" isn't a specific type of business all by itself.

I also don't think uncle sam is going to give a shit about a comic book monopoly.

There's that, too.

And I believe you can get around Sony's owning the rights to Spidey by making an animated Superman v. Spider-Man feature (written/directed by Bruce Timm) and releasing it straight to Netflix.

Wait, Iger is stepping down?

2016, I believe.

 

[HerbertFish]

Wonder how the doj would handle it. The movies wouldn't be a problem of course. But it be interesting to see how they'd compare comics vs graphic novels/manga or just books and magazines in general. Or since they've fallen off so much if the comic part would even be a relevant part of discussion. Diamond comics got investigated for being a monopoly before but nothing came of it.

 

[George Oscar Bluth II]

Time to dream of crossovers.

 

[Maddocks]

hope it doesn't happen, cant imagine the threads it would create

"Why is marvels batman so cheap looking?"

 

[munchie64]

Oh god. I don't know whether this would be hell or heaven.

 

[MisterHero]

I'm quitting comic books if that ever happened. Or at the very least, look to independent creations.

At some point people have to think that these companies have far too much reach.

 

[Abounder]

hope it doesn't happen, cant imagine the threads it would create

"Why is marvels batman so cheap looking?"

On the other hand a MCU Batman could be fun to see if they base it off of The Brave and the Bold, or Adam West.

 

[TylerD]

If they do I'd quite enjoy to see them hit with an antitrust lawsuit.

Nothing like an even more massive corporation controlling more of what we read, watch, and listen to!

 

[Sibersk Esto]

I'm quitting comic books if that ever happened. Or at the very least, look to independent creations.

At some point people have to think that these companies have far too much reach.

Wait, wouldn't Disney just own the movie rights?

 

[Slayven]

Batman gets slapped by Black Panther for talking out the side of his mouth.

 

[MisterHero]

Wait, wouldn't Disney just own the movie rights?

WB owns DC. If they acquired WB they'd get everything.

 

[Cuburt]

It would be ironic that Disney/Marvel would own the movie rights to Superman and Batman but not Spiderman and X-Men.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Wait, wouldn't Disney just own the movie rights?

If Disney bought Time Warner, they'd buy everything Time Warner owns. That includes DC Entertainment - its publishing, its animation, and its films.

There would probably still be a "DC Comics" but it'd likely be an imprint under Marvel.

Or maybe at that point they finally say "fuck this" and just cease publishing comics now that they have all the IP they need to capitalize on for their live action/animated offerings.

I mean, usually right after a purchase like that, cuts have to be made. I can't imagine the publishing side of Marvel makes anywhere near as much money as almost EVERYTHING else associated with the brand.

 

[DarkFlow]

Wait, wouldn't Disney just own the movie rights?

WB owns DC comics.

 

[Sibersk Esto]

WB owns DC. If they acquired WB they'd get everything.

If Disney bought Time Warner, they'd buy everything Time Warner owns. That includes DC Entertainment - its publishing, its animation, and its films.

There would probably still be a "DC Comics" but it'd likely be an imprint under Marvel.

Or maybe at that point they finally say "fuck this" and just cease publishing comics now that they have all the IP they need to capitalize on for their live action/animated offerings.

WB owns DC comics.

 

[iamblades]

Again, I'm not sure Disney buying Warners (and thus, DC Entertainment) is an antitrust suit waiting to happen. The concept of superheroes isn't being purchased by Disney, just another company's characters.

Owning Superman and Spider-Man at the same time doesn't mean you own all the superheroes, and even if it did, owning all the superheroes isn't a monopoly in that "Superheroes" isn't a specific type of business all by itself.



There's that, too.

And I believe you can get around Sony's owning the rights to Spidey by making an animated Superman v. Spider-Man feature (written/directed by Bruce Timm) and releasing it straight to Netflix.



2016, I believe.

Also worth noting that simply being a monopoly is generally not illegal. What the antitrust act bans is using a monopoly position to prevent competition.

In most industries the only way a monopoly can be formed is via anticompetitive practices like dumping, otherwise eventually the marginal value of increasing an already dominant marketshare becomes less than the cost of buying out the competition.

Some industries where economies of scale are hugely impactful can develop natural monopolies, but comic books and comic book movies are not really a good example of that kind of industry.

 

[Slayven]

New Warriors and Titans merge, Scarlet Spider still a cranky bastard.

 

[Lakitu]

Marvel vs DC

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Can you imagine, if Disney decided to keep publishing after such a purchase, and tasked Marvel/DC to streamline their offerings? Can you imagine the editorial room bloodbath as they decide which characters in each universe are effectively being replaced by the other, after decades of gentle copycatting all this time?

"Doctor Strange & Doctor Fate can stay... but Black Cat is out. Spider-Man can fuck with Catwoman from now on. Deathstroke & Deadpool can stay - in fact, they're on a team-up book now. But Sentry is fucking done. And so is Moon Knight. Also, Richard Rider is a Green Lantern, now."

They could legitimately livestream it. Treat it like the WWE Raw/Smackdown drafts.

 

[DarkFlow]

Can you imagine, if Disney decided to keep publishing after such a purchase, and tasked Marvel/DC to streamline their offerings? Can you imagine the editorial room bloodbath as they decide which characters in each universe are effectively being replaced by the other, after decades of gentle copycatting all this time?

"Doctor Strange & Doctor Fate can stay... but Black Cat is out. Spider-Man can fuck with Catwoman from now on. Deathstroke & Deadpool can stay - in fact, they're on a team-up book now. But Sentry is fucking done. And so is Moon Knight. Also, Richard Rider is a Green Lantern, now."

They could legitimately livestream it. Treat it like the WWE Raw/Smackdown drafts.

You know they would make a 200 book Tie-in Event.

 

[munchie64]

Can you imagine, if Disney decided to keep publishing after such a purchase, and tasked Marvel/DC to streamline their offerings? Can you imagine the editorial room bloodbath as they decide which characters in each universe are effectively being replaced by the other, after decades of gentle copycatting all this time?

"Doctor Strange & Doctor Fate can stay... but Black Cat is out. Spider-Man can fuck with Catwoman from now on. Deathstroke & Deadpool can stay - in fact, they're on a team-up book now. But Sentry is fucking done. And so is Moon Knight. Also, Richard Rider is a Green Lantern, now."

They could legitimately livestream it. Treat it like the WWE Raw/Smackdown drafts.

 

[Sibersk Esto]

Can you imagine, if Disney decided to keep publishing after such a purchase, and tasked Marvel/DC to streamline their offerings? Can you imagine the editorial room bloodbath as they decide which characters in each universe are effectively being replaced by the other, after decades of gentle copycatting all this time?

"Doctor Strange & Doctor Fate can stay... but Black Cat is out. Spider-Man can fuck with Catwoman from now on. Deathstroke & Deadpool can stay - in fact, they're on a team-up book now. But Sentry is fucking done. And so is Moon Knight. Also, Richard Rider is a Green Lantern, now."

They could legitimately livestream it. Treat it like the WWE Raw/Smackdown drafts.

Just one big super universe?

 

[Soybean]

It would be great. Disney/Marvel would be a much better steward of DC's properties than WB currently is.

 

[Cuburt]

One crazy little factoid is that Marvel Entertainment CEO, Ike Perlmutter, is one of the largest single holders of Disney stock and apparently has a lot of pull within Disney.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-marvel-became-envy-scourge-720363

Perlmutter is one of the top individual holders of Disney stock — the company declines to say how much he owns — and is said to have pressed Iger to dismiss studio chief Rich Ross in 2012. (Pixar's John Lasseter also is said to have lost patience with Ross.) Perlmutter also has been identified as a force behind the 2011 departure of Andy Mooney as head of Disney's consumer products division. (Perlmutter is said to have felt Mooney was not sufficiently focused on Marvel products and wanted more aggressive deals with licensees. Mooney, now CEO of Quiksilver, declined comment.)

 

[Ridley327]

I imagine any monopoly concerns wouldn't be because of the whole Marvel/DC thing. It would be because Warner Bros. owns a significant amount of content, including a massive portion of the MGM catalog, as well as HBO and Cinemax, and they're currently handling a big chunk of Paramount's back catalog, too. Combine that with what Disney currently has its hands on, and you have a significant chunk of the film and TV industry under one roof, which is definitely cause for concern.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

You know they would make a 200 book Tie-in Event.

The Crisis to end all Crises. At the end of it, there's just the one universe.

How many will fall?

Dial 1-900-Shitcan to send your least favorite super to the scrap heap!

 

[DarkFlow]

The Crisis to end all Crises. At the end of it, there's just the one universe.

How many will fall?

Dial 1-900-Shitcan to send your least favorite super to the scrap heap!

Sea ya later Aguaman, you know he would win that vote lol.

 

[BlackNMild2k1]

Man Disney would not only own all the Disney Themed parks, but all of the SIx Flags parks as well right?

That would make a season pass extremely expensive.... but worth sooo much more if it included ALL "Disney owned" parks.

 

[Slayven]

 

[Zee-Row]

Marvel would probably bury DC like Vince McMahon buried WCW when he bought them.

 

[Sibersk Esto]

Sea ya later Aguaman, you know he would win that vote lol.

lol that typo made me think of a Mexican Aquaman

Also yeah now that I think about it, Disney buying Warner Brothers would mean one company owns a significant portion of our mass media. Scary.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

The Marvel touch, freshly applied to the latest DC movie, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQPYAhcEhlo