Media

Meet Netflix's First Ever Acquisition

Chris Lange

Published: August 7, 2017 12:15 pm

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 9:23 am

Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is considered one of the premier online streaming services, with an incredible array of content, but the company is further adding to its library with its newest and first acquisition. In an unprecedented move, the firm made its first ever acquisition buying Millarworld, a comic book company.

While the name Millarworld might not resonate with most, the title has put out iconic characters and stories such as Kick-Ass, Kingsman and Old Man Logan. Some consider this firm to be one of the most important voices in comics.

The acquisition is a natural progression in the company’s effort to work directly with prolific and skilled creators and to acquire intellectual property and ownership of stories featuring compelling characters and timeless, interwoven fictional worlds. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

As we noted before, in Netflix’s enduring mission to be one of the best producers of online streaming content, acquiring a comic book company is a solid step. In a sense, Netflix is using this as a jumping point into the comic book arena, where the likes of DC and Marvel have made billions capitalizing on their superheroes.

Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer, commented:

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. We can’t wait to harness the creative power of Millarworld to Netflix and start a new era in global storytelling.

Shares of Netflix were last seen up about 0.7% at $181.52, with a consensus analyst price target of $185.08 and a 52-week range of $92.95 to $191.50.