Netflix and Mark Millar join forces via acquisition

Netflix, the world-leading entertainment platform announced Monday it had acquired Millarworld, a comic book publishing house founded by Mark Millar, creator of Kick Ass.

Together, the two look to bring Millarworld's stable of much-loved characters to Netflix fans the world over, through films, series and kids' shows made available only to Netflix subscribers.

"This is only the third time in history a major comic book company has been purchased at this level," said Millar of the acquisition – Netflix's first, "I'm so in love with what Netflix is doing and excited by their plans. Netflix is the future and Millarworld couldn’t have a better home."

Millarworld characters were responsible for just shy of $1bn in global box office revenue, and Millar himself, who during his time at Marvel created the storylines that inspired the first Avengers film, Captain America: Civil War and Logan can lay claim to the blueprint that led to a further $3bn.

"Mark has created a next-generation comics universe, full of indelible characters living in situations people around the world can identify easily with,” added Sarandos. “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."

As of 1630 BST, shares in Netflix had taken a minor northbound jump up at 0.08% to 180.43.