Marvel Entertainment
Encyclopedia
Marvel Entertainment, LLC (Marvel), formerly Marvel Enterprises and Toy Biz, Inc., is an American entertainment
company formed from the merger of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and Toy Biz, Inc.
In 2009, The Walt Disney Company
acquired Marvel Entertainment, Inc. for $4 billion. It has been a limited liability company
(LLC) since then.
and Marvel Productions
, was put up for sale as part of the liquidation of its then parent corporation, Cadence Industries
, and sold in 1986 to New World Pictures. In 1989, Ronald Perelman
's MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings
group of companies bought Marvel Entertainment Group from New World for $82.5 million, not including Marvel Productions
, which was folded into New World' TV and movie business.
"It is a mini-Disney in terms of intellectual property," said Perelman. "Disney's got much more highly recognized characters and softer characters, whereas our characters are termed action heroes. But at Marvel we are now in the business of the creation and marketing of characters."
company Fleer
within a year of going public. In April 1993, Marvel acquired 46% of ToyBiz, for the rights to make Marvel toys. The Andrews Group named Avi Arad
of ToyBiz as the president and CEO of the Marvel Films division and of New World Family Filmworks, Inc., a New World Entertainment subsidiary. New World later became a fellow subsidiary of the Andrews Group.
In 1993 and 1994, Marvel's holding companies — Marvel Holdings, Inc. and Marvel Parent Holdings, Inc. — were formed between Andrews Group and MEG and issued over half a billion dollars in bonds under the direction of Perelman, secured by Marvel's rising stock, which was passed up in dividends to Perlman's group of companies. Marvel continued acquisitions with Panini, an Italian sticker-maker, in August 1994, and SkyBox International
in April 1995.
Marvel also purchased Heroes World Distribution
, a regional distributor to comic-book shops. Marvel's attempt to distribute its products directly led to a decrease in sales and aggravated the losses which Marvel suffered when the comic book bubble popped, the 1994 Major League Baseball strike massacred the profits of the Fleer unit, and Panini, whose revenue depended largely on Disney licensing, was hobbled by poor Disney showings at the box office.
While licensing revenue reached $50 million in 1995, MEG layed off 275 employees on January 4, 1996. Perelman offered to have the Andrews Group purchase additional shares with an issue for $350 million in November 1996 (the "Andrews Plan"), which would have required ToyBiz to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvel. Meanwhile, Carl Icahn
began buying Marvel's bonds at 20% of their value and moved to block Perelman's plan. The Marvel group of companies filed for bankruptcy on December 27, 1996, but the noteholders, led by Icahn, blocked this.
, an incorporation of Marvel Films, due to the sale of its film and TV sister company, New World Communications Group, to News Corporation
/Fox. Filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to raise money to finance the new corporation, Marvel, Isaac Perlmutter's Zib, Inc. and Avi Arad sold Toy Biz
stocks, which Marvel had started and took public in February 1995.
Icahn fought to take control of the company from Perelman, finally becoming Marvel's chairman on June 20, 1997. Bankruptcy proceedings continued with multi-way arguments among Perelman, Icahn, Toy Biz and the banks. Toy Biz owners Ike Perlmutter and Avi Arad
, with the banks on their side, snatched Marvel from Perelman and Icahn, in order to protect their own financial interests. Comic-book analyst Chuck Rozanski
estimated that Perelman made $200 to $400 million from Marvel, while Forbes
magazine believes he made nothing; and the judge in the Marvel bankruptcy trial estimated that Perelman made $280 million plus various tax advantages. The judge ousted Icahn as Marvel's chairman in December 1997, naming a trustee to run Marvel while discussion continued between the various factions.
In June 1997, Marvel formed its Marvel Enterprise division, headed by president and CEO Scott C. Marden, to manage its trading card and sticker businesses, as well as Marvel Interactive, an Internet
-entertainment and software-publishing company.
A lawsuit by bond holders and Marvel's litigation trustees was filed in 1997, accusing Perelman and other Marvel Board Directors of diverting $553.5 million in proceeds from 1993 and 1994 notes to other MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings' companies, prior to Marvel's 1996 bankruptcy. The lawsuit asked for $470.8 million in damages. The appellate court ruled that, “None of the proceeds went to Marvel, or were used for Marvel’s benefit”, but instead improperly enriched the directors. While denying any wrongdoing, Perelman agreed in August 2008 to settle for $80 million, which the trustees accepted. The settlement fund, after paying off trustees' and legal fees, administrative expenses and a $2 million loan, had $50 million to distribute to some Marvel Entertainment Group shareholders and unsecured creditors.
On February 18, 1998, Marvel and co-owner Universal Studios Hollywood
opened Marvel Mania Restaurant near Universal Studios
in California, as well as Planet Hollywood
. However, Planet Hollywood had financial problems due to expanding too quickly, and closed Marvel Mania.
Later, the rights to names like "Spider-Man" were being challenged. Toy Biz hired an attorney to review its license agreement. Los Angeles patent attorney Carole E. Handler
found a legal loophole in the patent and licensing of the Marvel name and was successful in reclaiming Marvel Enterprises' movie rights to its character Spider-Man.
In 2003, Bill Stine purchased back Quest Aerospace
, a 1995 Toy Biz acquisition, from Marvel. In summer 2003, Marvel places an offer for Artisan Entertainment
. A new unit, Marvel International, was set up in London under a president, Bruno Maglione, to extend the company's operation and presence in major overseas markets in November 2003. In December 2003, Marvel Entertainment acquired Cover Concepts from Hearst Communications, Inc.
In November 2004, Marvel consolidated its children's sleepwear-apparel licensing business with American Marketing Enterprises, Inc.
In November 2004, the corporation sued South Korea
-based NCSoft Corp. and San Jose, California
-based Cryptic Studios Inc. over possible trademark infringement in their City of Heroes massive mutltiplayer online game. Marvel settled a film-royalties lawsuit in April 2005 with its former editor-in-chief and publisher, Stan Lee
, paying him $10 million and negotiating an end to his royalties.
In 2007, several Stan Lee Media
related groups filed lawsuits against Marvel Entertainment for $1 billion and for Lee's Marvel creations in multiple states most of which are dismissed. Additionally, a lawsuit over ownership of the character Ghost Rider
was filed On March 30, 2007, by Gary Friedrich
and Gary Friedrich Enterprises, Inc.
announced a deal to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4.24 billion, with Marvel shareholders to receive $30 and about 0.745 Disney shares for each share of Marvel they own. The voting occurred on December 31, 2009 and the merger was approved. The acquisition of Marvel was finalized hours after the shareholder voted, therefore, giving Disney full ownership of Marvel Entertainment. The company was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange
under its ticker symbol (MVL), due to the closing of the deal.
On June 2, 2010 Marvel announced that it promoted Joe Quesada
to Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment. In June 2010, Marvel set up a television division headed by Jeph Loeb
as executive vice president. Three months later, Smith & Tinker
licensed from Marvel the character rights for a superhero
digital collectible game for Facebook and Apple's mobile platform. On October 1, 2010, Marvel moved its offices to a 60000 square feet (5,574.2 m²) suite at 135 W. 50th Street, New York City
, New York
, under a nine year sublease contract.
Stan Lee Media
's lawsuit against Marvel was dismissed again in February 2011.
In July 2011, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that Marvel characters co-created by Jack Kirby would remain the property of Marvel.
Intellectual property holding companies:
Film Slate Subsidiaries
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
company formed from the merger of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and Toy Biz, Inc.
In 2009, The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
acquired Marvel Entertainment, Inc. for $4 billion. It has been a limited liability company
Limited liability company
A limited liability company is a flexible form of enterprise that blends elements of partnership and corporate structures. It is a legal form of company that provides limited liability to its owners in the vast majority of United States jurisdictions...
(LLC) since then.
Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. (Marvel or MEG), the parent company of Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
and Marvel Productions
Marvel Productions
Marvel Productions Ltd. , last called New World Animation, was a television and film studio subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment Group , based in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, then New World Entertainment and News Corporation/Fox...
, was put up for sale as part of the liquidation of its then parent corporation, Cadence Industries
Cadence Industries
Cadence Industries Corporation, formerly Perfect Film & Chemical Corporation, was an American conglomerate owned by Martin "Marty" S. Ackerman. From 1968 through 1986, Perfect/Cadence was the parent company of the publisher of Marvel Comics....
, and sold in 1986 to New World Pictures. In 1989, Ronald Perelman
Ronald Perelman
Ronald Owen Perelman is an American business magnate. Through his company MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc., he has invested in various companies in grocery, cigar, licorice, makeup, car, photography, television, camping, security, lottery, jewelry, banks, and comic book industries.-Early...
's MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings
MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings
MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings, Inc. is the principal holding company used by and wholly owned by businessman and private equity investor, Ronald Perelman...
group of companies bought Marvel Entertainment Group from New World for $82.5 million, not including Marvel Productions
Marvel Productions
Marvel Productions Ltd. , last called New World Animation, was a television and film studio subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment Group , based in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, then New World Entertainment and News Corporation/Fox...
, which was folded into New World' TV and movie business.
"It is a mini-Disney in terms of intellectual property," said Perelman. "Disney's got much more highly recognized characters and softer characters, whereas our characters are termed action heroes. But at Marvel we are now in the business of the creation and marketing of characters."
Going Public and acquisition
Marvel made an initial public offer of 40% of the stock (ticker symbol NYSE:MRV) in July 1991, giving $40 million from the proceeds to Andrews Group, Marvel's then direct parent corporation within MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings. Marvel purchased the trading cardTrading card
A trading card is a small card, usually made out of paperboard or thick paper, which usually contains an image of a certain person, place or thing and a short description of the picture, along with other text...
company Fleer
Fleer
The Fleer Corporation, founded by Frank H. Fleer in 1885, was the first company to successfully manufacture bubblegum; it remained a family-owned enterprise until it was taken private in 1989....
within a year of going public. In April 1993, Marvel acquired 46% of ToyBiz, for the rights to make Marvel toys. The Andrews Group named Avi Arad
Avi Arad
Avi Arad is an Israeli-American businessman. He became the CEO of the company Toy Biz in the 1990s, and soon afterward became the chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment, a Marvel director, chairman, CEO and the founder of Marvel Studios....
of ToyBiz as the president and CEO of the Marvel Films division and of New World Family Filmworks, Inc., a New World Entertainment subsidiary. New World later became a fellow subsidiary of the Andrews Group.
In 1993 and 1994, Marvel's holding companies — Marvel Holdings, Inc. and Marvel Parent Holdings, Inc. — were formed between Andrews Group and MEG and issued over half a billion dollars in bonds under the direction of Perelman, secured by Marvel's rising stock, which was passed up in dividends to Perlman's group of companies. Marvel continued acquisitions with Panini, an Italian sticker-maker, in August 1994, and SkyBox International
SkyBox International
SkyBox International Inc. was an American trading card manufacturing company based in Durham, North Carolina. A subsidiary of Vector Group, it was originally formed as Impel Marketing in 1989. In 1990, the company was renamed SkyBox International...
in April 1995.
Marvel also purchased Heroes World Distribution
Heroes World Distribution
Heroes World Distribution Co., originally named Superhero Enterprises, was an American comic book distributor founded by Ivan Snyder, active from 1975 to 1997, during the growth and consolidation of the direct market. Heroes World was acquired by Marvel Comics in late 1994 to act as the publisher's...
, a regional distributor to comic-book shops. Marvel's attempt to distribute its products directly led to a decrease in sales and aggravated the losses which Marvel suffered when the comic book bubble popped, the 1994 Major League Baseball strike massacred the profits of the Fleer unit, and Panini, whose revenue depended largely on Disney licensing, was hobbled by poor Disney showings at the box office.
While licensing revenue reached $50 million in 1995, MEG layed off 275 employees on January 4, 1996. Perelman offered to have the Andrews Group purchase additional shares with an issue for $350 million in November 1996 (the "Andrews Plan"), which would have required ToyBiz to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvel. Meanwhile, Carl Icahn
Carl Icahn
Carl Celian Icahn is an American business magnate and investor.-Biography:Icahn was raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York City, where he attended Far Rockaway High School. His father was a cantor, his mother was a schoolteacher...
began buying Marvel's bonds at 20% of their value and moved to block Perelman's plan. The Marvel group of companies filed for bankruptcy on December 27, 1996, but the noteholders, led by Icahn, blocked this.
Creation of Marvel Studios
In August 1996, Marvel created Marvel StudiosMarvel Studios
Marvel Studios, originally Marvel Films, is an American television and motion picture studio based in Manhattan Beach, California. Marvel Studios is a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, a self-contained part of the The Walt Disney Company conglomerate....
, an incorporation of Marvel Films, due to the sale of its film and TV sister company, New World Communications Group, to News Corporation
News Corporation
News Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
/Fox. Filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to raise money to finance the new corporation, Marvel, Isaac Perlmutter's Zib, Inc. and Avi Arad sold Toy Biz
Marvel Toys
Marvel Toys is the toy division of Marvel Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company....
stocks, which Marvel had started and took public in February 1995.
Icahn fought to take control of the company from Perelman, finally becoming Marvel's chairman on June 20, 1997. Bankruptcy proceedings continued with multi-way arguments among Perelman, Icahn, Toy Biz and the banks. Toy Biz owners Ike Perlmutter and Avi Arad
Avi Arad
Avi Arad is an Israeli-American businessman. He became the CEO of the company Toy Biz in the 1990s, and soon afterward became the chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment, a Marvel director, chairman, CEO and the founder of Marvel Studios....
, with the banks on their side, snatched Marvel from Perelman and Icahn, in order to protect their own financial interests. Comic-book analyst Chuck Rozanski
Chuck Rozanski
Charles Rozanski is a German-American retailer and columnist, known as the President and CEO of the Denver, Colorado-based Mile High Comics Inc., and a columnist for the Comics Buyer's Guide.-Early life:...
estimated that Perelman made $200 to $400 million from Marvel, while Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
magazine believes he made nothing; and the judge in the Marvel bankruptcy trial estimated that Perelman made $280 million plus various tax advantages. The judge ousted Icahn as Marvel's chairman in December 1997, naming a trustee to run Marvel while discussion continued between the various factions.
In June 1997, Marvel formed its Marvel Enterprise division, headed by president and CEO Scott C. Marden, to manage its trading card and sticker businesses, as well as Marvel Interactive, an Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
-entertainment and software-publishing company.
A lawsuit by bond holders and Marvel's litigation trustees was filed in 1997, accusing Perelman and other Marvel Board Directors of diverting $553.5 million in proceeds from 1993 and 1994 notes to other MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings' companies, prior to Marvel's 1996 bankruptcy. The lawsuit asked for $470.8 million in damages. The appellate court ruled that, “None of the proceeds went to Marvel, or were used for Marvel’s benefit”, but instead improperly enriched the directors. While denying any wrongdoing, Perelman agreed in August 2008 to settle for $80 million, which the trustees accepted. The settlement fund, after paying off trustees' and legal fees, administrative expenses and a $2 million loan, had $50 million to distribute to some Marvel Entertainment Group shareholders and unsecured creditors.
On February 18, 1998, Marvel and co-owner Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio and theme park in the unincorporated Universal City community of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood movie studios still in use...
opened Marvel Mania Restaurant near Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
in California, as well as Planet Hollywood
Planet Hollywood
Planet Hollywood, a restaurant inspired by the popular portrayal of Hollywood, was launched in New York on October 22, 1991, with the backing of Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.-History:...
. However, Planet Hollywood had financial problems due to expanding too quickly, and closed Marvel Mania.
Marvel Enterprises
ToyBiz and Marvel Entertainment Group were merged into Marvel Enterprises to bring it out of bankruptcy in June 1998. As part of this merger plan, Fleer/SkyBox and Panini would be auctioned off separately.Later, the rights to names like "Spider-Man" were being challenged. Toy Biz hired an attorney to review its license agreement. Los Angeles patent attorney Carole E. Handler
Carole E. Handler
Carole Enid Handler is an American lawyer who specializes in intellectual property litigation in the areas of trademark, copyright and antitrust laws, particularly those related to entertainment and media industry...
found a legal loophole in the patent and licensing of the Marvel name and was successful in reclaiming Marvel Enterprises' movie rights to its character Spider-Man.
In 2003, Bill Stine purchased back Quest Aerospace
Quest Aerospace
Quest Aerospace is a company based in Pagosa Springs, CO, USA that designs and produces model rocket kits.Quest Aerospace was founded in 1992 by Bill Stine , and produces model rocket kits for various skill levels of modelers, from the beginner to the most highly skilled. In 1995, ToyBiz acquired...
, a 1995 Toy Biz acquisition, from Marvel. In summer 2003, Marvel places an offer for Artisan Entertainment
Artisan Entertainment
Artisan Entertainment Inc. was a privately held independent American movie studio until it was purchased by a Canadian studio, Lionsgate, in 2003. At the time of its acquisition, Artisan had a library of thousands of films developed through acquisition, original production, and production and...
. A new unit, Marvel International, was set up in London under a president, Bruno Maglione, to extend the company's operation and presence in major overseas markets in November 2003. In December 2003, Marvel Entertainment acquired Cover Concepts from Hearst Communications, Inc.
Hearst Corporation
The Hearst Corporation is an American media conglomerate based in the Hearst Tower, Manhattan in New York City, New York, United States. Founded by William Randolph Hearst as an owner of newspapers, the company's holdings now include a wide variety of media...
In November 2004, Marvel consolidated its children's sleepwear-apparel licensing business with American Marketing Enterprises, Inc.
In November 2004, the corporation sued South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
-based NCSoft Corp. and San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
-based Cryptic Studios Inc. over possible trademark infringement in their City of Heroes massive mutltiplayer online game. Marvel settled a film-royalties lawsuit in April 2005 with its former editor-in-chief and publisher, Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
, paying him $10 million and negotiating an end to his royalties.
Marvel Entertainment
In September 2005, Marvel Enterprises changed its name to Marvel Entertainment to reflect the corporation's expansion into financing its own movie slate.In 2007, several Stan Lee Media
Stan Lee Media
Stan Lee Media was an Internet-based creation, production and marketing company that was founded in 1998, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2000, and ultimately dismissed from bankruptcy in November, 2006. In its early years, the company created Stan Lee branded super hero franchises...
related groups filed lawsuits against Marvel Entertainment for $1 billion and for Lee's Marvel creations in multiple states most of which are dismissed. Additionally, a lawsuit over ownership of the character Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider (comics)
Ghost Rider is the name of several fictional supernatural antiheroes appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Night Rider and subsequently to Phantom Rider.The first supernatural Ghost Rider is...
was filed On March 30, 2007, by Gary Friedrich
Gary Friedrich
Gary Friedrich . is an American comic book writer best known for his Silver Age stories for Marvel Comics' Sgt...
and Gary Friedrich Enterprises, Inc.
Disney subsidiary
On August 31, 2009, The Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
announced a deal to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4.24 billion, with Marvel shareholders to receive $30 and about 0.745 Disney shares for each share of Marvel they own. The voting occurred on December 31, 2009 and the merger was approved. The acquisition of Marvel was finalized hours after the shareholder voted, therefore, giving Disney full ownership of Marvel Entertainment. The company was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
The New York Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located at 11 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA. It is by far the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies at 13.39 trillion as of Dec 2010...
under its ticker symbol (MVL), due to the closing of the deal.
On June 2, 2010 Marvel announced that it promoted Joe Quesada
Joe Quesada
Joseph "Joe" Quesada is an American comic book editor, writer and artist. He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books, such as Ninjak and Solar, Man of the Atom...
to Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment. In June 2010, Marvel set up a television division headed by Jeph Loeb
Jeph Loeb
Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost, writer for the films Commando and Teen Wolf and was a writer and Co-Executive Producer on the NBC TV show Heroes from its...
as executive vice president. Three months later, Smith & Tinker
Smith & Tinker
Smith & Tinker is an American electronic entertainment company founded in February 2007 by Jordan Weisman, Jeremy Bornstein, Lenny Raymond, and Kev Ray. Weisman later brought in Tim Lebel and Joe Lawandus...
licensed from Marvel the character rights for a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
digital collectible game for Facebook and Apple's mobile platform. On October 1, 2010, Marvel moved its offices to a 60000 square feet (5,574.2 m²) suite at 135 W. 50th Street, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, under a nine year sublease contract.
Stan Lee Media
Stan Lee Media
Stan Lee Media was an Internet-based creation, production and marketing company that was founded in 1998, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2000, and ultimately dismissed from bankruptcy in November, 2006. In its early years, the company created Stan Lee branded super hero franchises...
's lawsuit against Marvel was dismissed again in February 2011.
In July 2011, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that Marvel characters co-created by Jack Kirby would remain the property of Marvel.
Former
- Hero World Distribution
- Malibu ComicsMalibu ComicsMalibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
(1994-1997) - Marvel BooksMarvel BooksMarvel Books refers to prose books licensed by Marvel Entertainment or its division in the 1980s that published coloring books and sticker books...
division (c.1985) - Marvel Comics Ltd.Marvel UKMarvel UK was an imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint US produced stories for the British weekly comic market, though it later did produce original material by British creators such as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Dave Gibbons, Steve Dillon and Grant Morrison.Panini Comics obtained the...
(1972-1995; UK subsidiary) - Marvel Films (later Marvel Studio)
- Marvel Mania Restaurant (Marvel Restaurant Venture Corp.)
- Marvel Enterprise division
- Marvel Interactive
- Online Entertainment (Marvel Zone)
- Software Publishing
- Fleer Corporation
- Panini Group: Italian sticker manufacturer
- SkyBox InternationalSkyBox InternationalSkyBox International Inc. was an American trading card manufacturing company based in Durham, North Carolina. A subsidiary of Vector Group, it was originally formed as Impel Marketing in 1989. In 1990, the company was renamed SkyBox International...
- Marvel Interactive
- Marvel Music GroupsMarvel MusicMarvel Music has been an imprint of Marvel Comics, former music publishing subsidiaries, Mighty Marvel Music Inc. and Marvel Music Group and the current Marvel Music, Inc., appearent holder of copyrights to Marvel Studio's movie music....
(-1989) music publishing subsidiary - Marvel ProductionsMarvel ProductionsMarvel Productions Ltd. , last called New World Animation, was a television and film studio subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment Group , based in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, then New World Entertainment and News Corporation/Fox...
(-1989) - Mighty Marvel Music CorporationMarvel MusicMarvel Music has been an imprint of Marvel Comics, former music publishing subsidiaries, Mighty Marvel Music Inc. and Marvel Music Group and the current Marvel Music, Inc., appearent holder of copyrights to Marvel Studio's movie music....
(-1989) music publishing subsidiary - Welsh Publishing: comic book publisher
Divisions
- Marvel ToysMarvel ToysMarvel Toys is the toy division of Marvel Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company....
(formerly Toy Biz): a toy company owned by Isaac Perlmutter since the 1990s. - Spider-Man Merchandising, L.P.: A joint venture of Marvel and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc.Sony Pictures EntertainmentSony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production/distribution unit of Japanese multinational technology and media conglomerate Sony...
that owns the rights to Spider-Man movie related licensed products.
Subsidiaries
- MVL Development LLC (Delaware)
- Marvel Entertainment International Limited (United Kingdom)
- Marvel Internet Productions LLC (Delaware)
- Marvel Property, Inc. (Delaware)
- Marvel Publishing, Inc.: publisher of Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
; - Marvel Toys Limited (Hong Kong)
- MRV, Inc. (Delaware)
- Marvel Film Productions LLC (Delaware)
- MVL International C.V. (The Netherlands)
- Marvel StudiosMarvel StudiosMarvel Studios, originally Marvel Films, is an American television and motion picture studio based in Manhattan Beach, California. Marvel Studios is a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, a self-contained part of the The Walt Disney Company conglomerate....
: a film and television production company- Marvel MusicMarvel MusicMarvel Music has been an imprint of Marvel Comics, former music publishing subsidiaries, Mighty Marvel Music Inc. and Marvel Music Group and the current Marvel Music, Inc., appearent holder of copyrights to Marvel Studio's movie music....
(2005-) - Marvel Television division
- Marvel AnimationMarvel AnimationMarvel Animation, LLC is an American animation production company. The Marvel Entertainment subsidiary was incorporated on January 25, 2008 to direct Marvel's efforts in animation and home entertainment markets...
: Subsidiary charged with oversight of Marvel's animation productions.- MLG Productions, Marvel & Liongate's subsidiary group for Marvel Animated Features
- Marvel Animation
- Marvel Music
Intellectual property holding companies:
- Marvel Characters, Inc.
- Marvel Characters B.V. (The Netherlands)
- Marvel International Character Holdings LLC (Delaware)
Film Slate Subsidiaries
- MVL Film Finance LLC: holder of Marvel's Movie debt and theatrical film rights to the ten characters as collateral.
- MVL Rights, LLC: subsidiary holding movie rights of all Marvel Characters with some on contract with MVL Film Finance
- Iron Works Productions LLC: subsidiary holding debt to finance the Iron Man films.
- MVL Productions LLC: an indirect wholly owned a film development subsidiary
- Incredible Productions LLC (Delaware): subsidiary holding debt to finance the Incredible Hulk filmThe Incredible Hulk (film)The Incredible Hulk is a 2008 superhero action film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. It is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner. It is the second film to be released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe...
- MVL Iron Works Productions Canada, Inc. (Province of Ontario)
- MVL Incredible Productions Canada, Inc. (Province of Ontario)
- Asgard Productions LLC (Delaware)
- Green Guy Toons LLC (Delaware)
- Squad Productions LLC (Delaware)
Executives
- Bruno Maglione, president of Marvel International November 2003 -
- Scott Sassa Chief Executive Officer & Chairman October 1996-
- Terry Stewart, president and Chief Operating Officer (COO), 1993
- Morton E. HandelMorton E. HandelMorton E. Handel is an American busi nessman who serves on the corporate board of directors and is President of S&H Consulting Ltd., a privately held investment and consulting company, where he has been employed since 1990.-Career:...
, chairman of the board, October 1998 -? - Joseph Ahearn, CEO, October 1998 - November 24, 1998 (from ToyBiz)
- Eric EllenbogenEric EllenbogenEric Ellenbogen in an American entertainment executive.In 1987, Ellenbogen became head of Broadway Video. At Golden Books Family Entertainment in 1996, Eric was president. Ellenbogen was appointed CEO and president of Marvel Enterprises in November 1998 and served until July 1999.Together with...
, CEO, November 24, 1998 - ? - F. Peter Cuneo, CEO, July 1999 - December 2002
- Allen Lipson, CEO December 2002 - ?
- Isaac PerlmutterIsaac PerlmutterIsaac "Ike" Perlmutter is an American businessman and financier. He has been the Chief Executive Officer of Marvel Entertainment since January 1, 2005. He was also the owner of Remington Products and Toy Biz.-Background:...
, CEO, as of 2011
President
- Stan LeeStan LeeStan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
1972-1973 - Al Landau 1973-1977
- Jim GaltonJim GaltonJim Galton is a retired American business executive known for being Marvel Entertainment Group's president.-Life:Galton grew up on Long Island in the 1950s. He attended Antioch College with a work study program to help pay for college...
1975-1991 - Terry Stewart, (COO), 1993
- Bruce Stein -1994
- Terry Stewart (and vice chairman) - May 1995
- Jerry Calabrese May 1995-Mid 1996 & October 1998-November 1998
- Scott C. Marden (interim) Mid 1996-September 1996
- David Schreff (Chief Operating Officer) September 1996 -
- Joseph Calamari - October 1998
- Eric Ellenbogan November 1998 - July 1999
- Peter CuneoPeter CuneoPeter Cuneo was born during WWII at Alameda Naval Air Station in California where his father was a Navy pilot. His family followed his father through numerous military assignments associated with World War II and the Korean War...
July 1999 - - Bill JemasBill JemasBill Jemas is an American media entrepreneur, writer and editor. He is a former vice president of Marvel Comics, and a founding partner at 360ep, a media management firm.-Early life:...
c.2000