Netflix buys comic book publisher behind "Kick-Ass" and "Kingsman"
The video streaming service Netflix has acquired its own comic book publishing company. Millarworld is the publisher behind series such as «Kick-Ass» and «Kingsman,» which have already been successfully adapted into films.
Netflix currently runs exclusive series based on Marvel comics such as "Daredevil" or "Iron Fist". However, Marvel, with characters like the "Avengers," is owned by entertainment giant Disney - and Netflix could hedge against a possible expiration of this deal by buying its own comic book publisher. A purchase price for Millarworld was not mentioned.
Annual Netflix payments to Disney are estimated at $300 million, according to U.S. media reports. Millarworld is backed by comic book artist Mark Millar. Like its competitor Amazon, Netflix relies heavily on exclusive content for its video services, with productions costing hundreds of millions of dollars every year. With Millarworld, the streaming service could create its own universe of linked comic adventures similar to Marvel with Spider-Man, Iron Man and Captain America. (SDA)
