Disney is getting more serious about digital comics: The Mouse House entered into an agreement with webcomics specialist Webtoon Entertainment to create an all-new digital comics platform — stocked with more than 35,000 titles from across Disney’s portfolio dating back decades.
Disney is positioning the new platform as an “expansion” to Marvel Unlimited, Marvel’s current digital comics subscription service priced starting at $10 per month. The companies didn’t provide an expected launch date for the new service. The new Disney service will include comics from Marvel, Star Wars, Disney, Pixar and 20th Century Studios, available for the first time in a single digital comics service with one subscription. The service also will include a selection of Webtoon original stories.
In addition, the two companies entered a nonbinding term sheet for Disney to acquire a 2% equity stake in Webtoon Entertainment. Webtoon Entertainment’s stock price has soared on the news, with shares trading at more than $20/share Tuesday, up more than 45% since Friday’s close. Webtoon Entertainment went public in June 2024 with an IPO on the Nasdaq exchange.
Disney’s new digital comics platform will be built and operated by Webtoon Entertainment. The new platform will include a mix of vertical and traditional formats for archived comics, current comic book runs and original stories.
As part of the Disney+ Perks program, Disney+ subscribers will be able to access a “curated selection” of comic titles in the new app at no additional charge. The new digital comics platform will “target a wide distribution” and select comics will be localized for Webtoon’s Korean and Japanese platforms.
The expansion of Disney’s partnership with Webtoon Entertainment after they announced a multiyear collaboration featuring nearly 100 titles from Disney, including new original series, for Webtoon’s vertical-scroll webcomics platform.
“By uniting our unparalleled collection of comics across Marvel, Star Wars, Disney, Pixar and 20th Century Studios into a single digital platform, we’re giving fans unprecedented access to the adventures they love — all in one place,” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, said in a statement. “Through our expanded relationship with Webtoon, the global leader in digital comics, we’re opening doors to new audiences and deepening fan engagement.”
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Junkoo Kim, Webtoon Entertainment’s founder and CEO, said the new platform will give new and longtime fans worldwide “a new way to discover these legendary characters and stories. Disney’s extraordinary storytelling legacy is second to none, and we’re honored to work with them to build the future of digital comics. This is a powerful next step for our growing global business, and a strong foundation for even greater collaboration with Disney in the years ahead.”
Disney’s new digital comic experience “will thrill anyone who loves visual storytelling,” added Yongsoo Kim, chief strategy officer and head of global for Webtoon. “By combining Webtoon’s expertise in digital storytelling products with Disney’s unparalleled catalog, we’re bringing some of the world’s most iconic stories to more readers around the world, all in one easy-to-use experience.”
Pictured above: Comics featured on the Marvel Unlimited site