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Netflix's First Takeover: a Comics Firm (bbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the interesting-moves dept.

Netflix announced today that it is acquiring Mark Millar, a well-known name in the world of comics. As part of the deal, the on-demand streaming company said, it will be creating original movies and TV shows from the content. It's Netflix's first acquisition. From a report: Millarworld, founded by Mark Millar from Coatbridge, includes his portfolio of characters and stories such as Kick-Ass, Kingsman, and Old Man Logan. Mr Millar said he was still "blinking" over the news. He said it was only the third time a comic book purchase on this scale had ever happened, with Warner Bros buying DC Comics in 1968, and Disney buying Marvel in 2009. Mr Millar, who lives in Glasgow, started Millarworld as a creator-owned comic-book company nearly 15 years ago. He runs the company with his wife Lucy Millar. It is the first ever company acquisition in Netflix's history. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Mr Millar said: "I'm so in love with what Netflix is doing and excited by their plans. Netflix is the future and Millarworld couldn't have a better home."

9 of 37 comments (clear)

  1. old man logan by ganjadude · · Score: 2

    old man logan is probably the best comic out there right now. looking forward to see what happens with this

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    1. Re:old man logan by Robyrt · · Score: 2

      Millarworld does not own the rights to Old Man Logan, and Mark Millar is not involved with the current Old Man Logan comics. Millar wrote the original miniseries for Marvel, but only his original properties now belong to Netflix.

  2. Old Man Logan? by Anubis+IV · · Score: 4, Informative

    Millarworld, founded by Mark Millar from Coatbridge, includes his portfolio of characters and stories such as Kick-Ass, Kingsman, and Old Man Logan.

    While Millar certainly wrote the Old Man Logan storyline, I don't see how Millarworld could own the rights to it, given that he did the work for Marvel and used their characters extensively in the story. Seems like the BBC is reporting things incorrectly, but am I missing something?

  3. Creative freedom? by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sometimes a purchase will help expand the brands, such as Marvel + Disney. Sometimes it will hurt the brand Marvel + Sony/Fox.

    I tried a lot of the Netflix original series, for myself personally, they just seem to push the dark parts of the stories a bit too much. But that is me, who after a tough day, I usually want to watch something more fun then deep.

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  4. They bought a person?? by Topwiz · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Summary says "Netflix announced today that it is acquiring Mark Millar, a well-known name in the world of comics."

    Should say "Netflix announced today that it is acquiring Millarworld, a well-known name in the world of comics."

    1. Re:They bought a person?? by freeze128 · · Score: 3, Funny

      I was more confused by this line:

      Mr Millar said he was still "blinking" over the news.

      If Millarworld was founded by Mark Millar, and he currently runs it with his wife, then he really should have known that Netflix was bidding to buy it, and this should really not come as a surprise to him... unless "blinking" means that he got some cocaine in his eye during the acquisition party with all the hookers.

    2. Re:They bought a person?? by Topwiz · · Score: 2

      Mark Millar is the person's name, the name of his company is Millarworld. The summary says they bought Mark Millar (the person) while the article correctly states that they bought the company: "Netflix buys Scots comic book firm Millarworld". Submitter msmash made a mistake creating the summary.

  5. Re:Let me be the first to say... by MightyMartian · · Score: 2

    Well, you don't have to watch them.

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  6. Netflix logevity? by future+assassin · · Score: 2

    I got Netflix (Canada) and do like some of their original stuff but atm I've hit a wall (my wife says the same thing). I've watched everything I wanted to watch and now I see no more benefit to Netflix vs my DVD collection (Aprox 700-800) Also with the long waits between new seasons and the ability to binge watch I've lost interest in following many shows. What's the point of 8-13 episodes and then having to wait for 12+ months for another season, that does nothing to keep me excited for when the season starts again as its been so long vs normal 24-26 episode seasons and then 6 months wait for the new season.

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