Video streaming giant Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX) has bought out the publishing company behind comic book favourites Kick-Ass and Kingsman.
The acquisition of Millarworld, which is headed up by renowned writer Mark Millar, is Netflix’s first ever.
Dreams were how we got started. pic.twitter.com/5w2DOVykji
— Netflix US (@netflix) August 7, 2017
Millar will stay with the company he founded and will create new TV shows and films for Netflix using some of his older characters as well as new ones.
The California-based group has been investing heavily into original content recently as it looks to fend off competition from the likes of Amazon and YouTube.
The purchase of Millarworld – terms of which weren’t disclosed – is a continuation of that strategy.
Modern-day Stan Lee
“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,” said chief content officer Ted Sarandos.
“[He] has created a next-generation comics universe, full of indelible characters living in situations people around the world can identify easily with.
“We look forward to creating new Netflix Originals from several existing franchises as well as new super-hero, anti-hero, fantasy, sci-fi and horror stories Mark and his team will continue to create and publish.”
Helped develop Avengers and Captain America movies
Aside from running his own publishing company with his wife Lucy, Millar also worked at comic book giant Marvel for eight years.
During that time, he developed the comic books and story arcs that inspired the first Avengers movie, Captain America: Civil War, and Logan.
Between them, those films grossed over US$3bn in worldwide box office.
Shares in Netflix were down 0.2% in early deals on Monday to US$180.