Big News – Netflix Acquires Comic Book Company Millarworld

Comic books and super heroes have been blowing up the big (and small) screen, over the past few years.  So it comes as no surprise that Netflix has purchased Millarworld.  Millarworld, for those of you who don’t know has been owned by Mark Millar.  Millar is the author of Wanted, Kick-Ass and Kingsman: The Secret Service – to name a few.  All of which have been made into huge blockbuster movies.  Millar has worked with both Marvel and DC Comics, making his resume extremely impressive.  What does this mean for Netflix?  My guess is a lot more super hero type original programming.  The only downside of this deal is that Netflix won’t get Kingsman or Kick-Ass as those deals are separate from this acquisition.  But it’s still a pretty big score.

Since 2015, Netflix has produced 7 shows with Marvel characters.  Two of those are anticipated to be released later this year, but that’s pretty impressive.  What is also impressive about the Marvel releases is that they all have some kind of cross over.  Which draws you into all the others.  If I was a die hard Marvel fan, I would have started the series by watching Daredevil.  It looked neat, but what got me hooked on these shows was actually Jessica Jones.  Then I got into Luke Cage, and now I’m watching Daredevil.  Sure, I’m doing it in a weird way, but had these been stand alone shows, I might not have gotten into the others.  And they’re drawing me in again with the Defenders. It’s kind of genius, if you ask me.

So what could this mean for Netflix?  Well, they’ve been identified less as a streaming service, and more for their original content.  Including TV and movie production.  People are tuning into Netflix to see their original content.  And now Netflix is opening themselves up to an even more niche market with the addition of Mark Millar’s stories.  I say that it’s a niche market because it focuses on comics as the “product”.  It’s why people are tuning in. And good for Netflix to be able to do this.  I always say that you have to be able to give consumers what they want.  And what they want are comics.  And lots of them.

What is also interesting about this acquisition is that it’s Netflix’s first.  Ever.  Which makes it special for Netflix, but also for comic book fans.  Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos made the following statement: “As creator and re-inventor of some of the most memorable stories and characters in recent history, ranging from Marvel’s The Avengers to Millarworld’s Kick-Ass, Kingsman, Wanted and Reborn franchises, Mark is as close as you can get to a modern day Stan Lee. We can’t wait to harness the creative power of Millarworld to Netflix and start a new era in global storytelling.”

Mark Millar gave this statement to his fans: “This is only the third time in history a major comic book company has been purchased at this level. 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.”

Fans are chomping at the bit wondering which character will be made into a story first.  Who do you think it will be?  Any ideas? Whatever they choose, I think it will be really great.  Because honestly, how many “bad” original series has Netflix produced?  Sure, they might not all be your favourite, or even something you would watch.  But none, in my opinion, have actually been bad.