Genius Brands sets up Stan Lee JV

Genius Brands International has set up a joint venture with Stan Lee’s Pow! Entertainment to mine the late comic book creator’s library of IP.

Stan Lee (photo: Gage Skidmore via CC)

Genius Brands will be the managing and controlling partner of Stan Lee Universe, a JV that will draw from more than 100 of Lee’s creations post-Marvel Entertainment.

Stan Lee Universe will assume worldwide rights, in perpetuity, to all elements of the IP.

Approximately seven properties from the library, which includes titles such as Tomorrow Men, Stringbean, Black Fury and Virus, will be developed and licensed per year.

Financial details of the deal, which is subject to due diligence and documentation, have not been disclosed.

Lee, who died aged 95 in 2018, co-created Marvel Comics superheroes such as Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man.

Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO of Genius Brands, said: “In all of Hollywood, there is no greater prize. This is the holy grail. Stan Lee Universe is a once-in-a-lifetime asset drawn from over 100 original, heretofore unexploited properties, created by the most successful creator of intellectual property of our time.”

Margaret Loesch, executive chairman of Genius Brands’ fledgling Kartoon Channel!, added: “Stan Lee was a one of a kind. So is this asset. Stan Lee Universe is going to be an unimaginable source of blockbuster entertainment for many years to come.”

David Neuman, chief content officer at Kartoon Channel!, suggested a Stan Lee Universe programme block could be introduced on the network in future.