Netflix Just Bought a Comic Book Company. Here's Why That's a Huge Deal.
Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and the rest of Marvel’s superheroes on Netflix are about to get some major competition. On Monday, the streaming giant announced that it had acquired Millarworld, the comic book company created by Mark Millar.
Millar is one of the most influential names in modern comics. Netflix’s chief content officer](a press release Ted Sarandos called Millar “as close as you can get to a modern day Stan Lee,” in a press release, and we’d have to admit, there is a certain a resemblance. Millar has had a long career in comics, creating influential storylines for both DC and Marvel, including the best-selling Superman graphic novel of all time, Red Son, and the Marvel comics that would later be adapted into Captain America: Civil War and Logan. He’s also created lots of original series, including Kick Ass, Wanted, and Kingsman.
Netflix says it will create “films, series and kids’ shows” based on existing Millarworld franchises as well some newly created ones. Millarworld, which is run by Millar and his wife, Lucy Millar, is the first acquisition Netflix has ever made. And, according to Millar, it’s only the third time a comic company has been purchased at this scale.
Though exact terms of the acquisition weren’t made public, it doesn’t take too much imagination to see how owning several ready-made, massive universes might be beneficial to Netflix, a company that’s already seen great success in partnering with giants like Marvel.
“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,” Millar said in a statement.
“Biggest news of my life,” Millar said on Twitter later that morning.
Exact details about exactly which comics will be adapted and when we might expect them haven’t been revealed yet.
Photos via Millarworld
Written by James Grebey
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