Pop links: Disney buys Marvel! Superhero catalog images! Big Star! Elvis Costello! More!

Mickey, meet the Hulk: Walt Disney Co. is buying Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion. From the press release:

"This transaction combines Marvel's strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney's creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories, " said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. "Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney." "We believe that adding Marvel to Disney's unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation," Iger said. "Disney is the perfect home for Marvel's fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses," said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel's Chief Executive Officer. "This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney's tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world." Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than 5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and will work directly with Disney's global lines of business to build and further integrate Marvel's properties.

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The death of Rolling Stones guitarist is being reinvestigated.

Police in Sussex were handed new information connected to the musician's untimely death 40 years ago.

Mr Jones, was found dead at the bottom of a swimming pool at a house in Cotchford farm, Hartfield, East Sussex.

An inquest recorded a verdict of death by misadventure but speculation continued that he was murdered.

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From Bat-Blog: Images from a 1970s Superhero Catalog of Games, Books, Toys, Puzzles:



Am I remembering correctly that Joe Kubert, or his cartooning school, was involved in these illustrations? I seem to remember Joe having done some superhero merchandise ads back in the 1970s.

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The New Orleans Times-Picayune checks in with Big Star drummer Jody Stephens.

In the ultimate acknowledgment of Big Star's enduring influence and impact, Rhino Records plans to release a four-disc, 98-song boxed set on Sept. 15. "Keep An Eye on the Sky" collects alternate takes from Big Star's first three albums, recordings from members' earlier bands, and a complete 1973 concert in Memphis.

This, Stephens joked, was the marketing plan all along: "Break up, wait 20 years, get a bunch of writers and other bands to talk about us...."

Still, he is tickled by Big Star's persistent popularity and presence. "This," he said, "is our heyday."



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The first season of Elvis Costello's Sundance Channel music talk show, "Spectacle," is set for DVD release Nov. 3 on 5 disks. Guests include Elton John, Rufus Wainwright, the Police, Bill Clinton, Tony Bennett, Kris Kristofferson, Smokey Robinson, Herbie Hancock and more.

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