On Marvel and Disney

The news about Disney buying Marvel rocked the internets last week. Reactions ran the gamut from elation to gnashing of teeth and rending of garments. Since I don’t know from comics, I asked Heather Bryan, a member of our Online Content Team, to give us her thoughts on it.

There are many things to be excited about with last week’s announcement of the Disney-Marvel merger (not least of which is the idea of Pixar getting their hands on Marvel’s extensive cast of heroes and villains). Artists and fans have been creating character mashups and movie mashups.

If you think about it, there are a lot of similarities between the two companies. Take a look at these Marvel properties and their Disney counterparts.

Ghost Rider vs. Ichabod & Mr. Toad
Ghost Rider owes his whole shtick to Ichabod’s tormentor, The Headless Horseman (granted Johnny Blaze rides a steel horse). Even animated Disney can go to the dark side once in a while.

The Punisher vs. Pirates of the Caribbean
Guerilla tactics? Check. Questionable ethics? Check. Anti-heroes we love to love? Absolutely!

Spider-Man vs. Aladdin
“With great power comes…” you know the rest.

The Hulk vs. Beauty and the Beast
Or, as we like to call them, “Monsters with anger issues and the women who love them.”

Fantastic 4 vs. The Incredibles
Slightly dysfunctional superhero families, and Edna Mode would approve of the Storms’ choice of capeless costumes.

X-Men vs. Sky High
Xavier Institute and Sky High, where the super-human learn to be super heroes.