Netflix Makes Its First Acquisition

Scoops up Millarworld in major comic-book company deal
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 7, 2017 10:56 AM CDT
Netflix Makes Its First Acquisition
Halle Berry attends the "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" press line on the first day of Comic-Con International on July 20, 2017, in San Diego.   (Photo by Al Powers/Invision/AP)

Netflix has made its first acquisition: comic book publisher Millarworld, whose graphic novels Kick-Ass, Wanted, and Kingsman have already graced the silver screen. CNBC says Netflix plans to create new films and shows for both kids and adults based on Millarworld characters. While there's no word on how much Netflix paid for Millarworld, per the AP, Millarworld's Mark Millar had much to say in a post on the deal that describes jetting back and forth between his native Scotland and LA for "sometimes just three hours of meetings." He continues, "Warner Bros bought DC Comics in 1968. Disney bought Marvel in 2009. Today Netflix purchased Millarworld and I'm still blinking. This is only the third time in history a comic-book company purchase on this scale has ever happened."

For those not in the know, he explains that Millarworld began nearly 15 years ago "after talking some artist pals"—who had already found success at the likes of DC and Marvel—into being their own bosses." Millarworld now claims 20 franchises. TechCrunch's take: "This looks like Netflix liked what it was getting from the Marvel tie-ins it's created, including Jessica Jones, Daredevil, and Luke Cage, but decided it might be a good idea to own the whole stack, including the comics side of the equation and the in-house creative genius." Creative genius, indeed. In a statement, Netflix's chief content officer says Millar is "as close as you can get to a modern day Stan Lee." (More Netflix stories.)

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