Disney buys Marvel for $4 billion

Disney and Marvel have announced Disney will acquire the comic company for $4 billion in stock and cash.

• Heirs file claims to Marvel heroes - (9/21/2009)
  The family of late artist Jack Kirby seek to regain copyright control of certain characters found in the Marvel universe. Disney recently agreed to purchase Marvel for $4 billion.
• Marvel Sued Over Disney Acquisition - (9/14/2009)
  Two class action lawsuits have been filed against Marvel Entertainment regarding the valuation of Marvel stocks in the merger.
• Marvel Fans Are Leery About Deal - The Wall Street Journal (9/2/2009)
  Unlike Marvel Entertainment Inc. investors -- who pushed the comic company's share price sharply higher on news of Walt Disney Co.'s planned $4 billion acquisition -- The Wall Street Journal reports fans of the superhero empire took a more jaundiced view of the deal.
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• 'Spider-man' musical swings back - (9/1/2009)
  Reportedly unrelated to Disney's purchase of Marvel, work is expected to pick up on the Spider-Man musical which had been halted in early August due to cash-flow problems.
• Disney to buy Marvel for $4 billion - Variety (8/31/2009)
  Variety thoroughly evaluates Disney's announced plans to purchase Marvel. They discuss the current licensing already in place with other entertainment companies that Disney will have to work around including the Universal theme parks deals.
• Disney CEO on Marvel Entertainment Acquisition - (8/31/2009)
  Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger discusses the company's acquisition of Marvel Entertainment.
• Industry Reactions to Disney/Marvel News - CBR News (8/31/2009)
  CBR News reached out to a number of comics creators, who shared their thoughts on the Disney/Marvel marriage.
• Analysts marvel at Disney's premium purchase - (8/31/2009)
  Analysts responses to Disney's announced plans to purchase Marvel given that the acquisition will dilute Disney earnings until 2012.
• Artists bless the Disney-Marvel Marriage - Cartoon Brew (8/31/2009)
  Cartoon Brew is gathering artists images that celebrate Disney's announced purchase of Marvel.
• Stan Lee gives Disney-Marvel his blessing - Reuters (8/31/2009)
  Reuters offers Stan Lee's (the creator of Spider-Man and other Marvel Heroes) response to the proposed Disney-Marvel merger.
• Disney acquiring Marvel Entertainment Inc. - Orlando Sentinel (8/31/2009)
  The Orlando Sentinel reports in acquiring Marvel Entertainment Inc., the Walt Disney Co. will add 5,000 comic-book characters to the Disney family, though Universal Orlando will likely retain the theme-park rights to several key characters, including Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk. Items focuses on impact to Central Florida entertainment.
• Disney unlikely to rescue 'Spider-Man' the Musical - Variety (8/31/2009)
  Variety examines the hypotheticals regarding "Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark" musical in light of Disney's purchase of Marvel.