Disney Invests in Stan Lee’s POW

LOS ANGELES: The Walt Disney Company has invested $2.5 million in Stan Lee’s POW! (Purveyors of Wonder) Entertainment for a 10-percent stake.

POW! has had first-look deal with Walt Disney Studios since 2007. “Enhancing our relationship with one of the world’s most creative and innovative entertainment companies makes perfect sense given all the exciting projects we have under way,” said Lee, who is the chairman and chief creative officer of POW! “Disney has been a great partner for us and we look forward to working closely with them in the coming years. In addition to the huge creative opportunity this affords POW!, it also provides for the next positive stage in the expansion of the company itself."

With the new deal, Walt Disney Studios has enhanced rights to POW!’s creative output as well as certain exclusive consulting services. The news of the investment in POW! came just as Disney completed its acquisition of Marvel Entertainment, where Lee co-created Spider-Man, X-Men and a range of other legendary franchises.

“Stan has incredible creative energy and continues to come up with great original stories that can work across many of our platforms, ranging from console games to motion pictures and from our boys-focused Disney XD network to mobile devices,” said Bob Chapek, the president of worldwide distribution at Walt Disney Studios. “Put that together with his knowledge and familiarity of the Marvel universe and it makes perfect sense to extend our excellent working relationship with Stan and POW!”