From Marvel to Star Wars, Disney Teams Up with WEBTOON to Launch a New Digital Comics Hub
The Walt Disney Company has announced a major new collaboration with WEBTOON Entertainment, the global leader in digital comics, to create an all-new digital comics platform. The platform will be a one-stop shop for fans, featuring collections of current comic book runs and decades of past comics from across Disney’s extensive portfolio. This includes Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Studios, and more.
The announcement was made by a surprising source: Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences. D’Amaro’s role traditionally oversees the company’s theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, and consumer products. His direct involvement in a new digital platform is a point of curiosity for industry observers.
In a statement, D’Amaro said, “By uniting our unparalleled collection of comics into a single digital platform, we’re giving fans unprecedented access to the adventures they love – all in one place.”
The partnership is a significant move for Disney, which has previously offered digital comics primarily through Marvel Unlimited. The new platform, built and operated by WEBTOON Entertainment, is an expansion of that service and will include a mix of vertical and traditional comic formats, with a curated selection of titles available at no extra charge to Disney+ subscribers as part of the Disney+ Perks program.
WEBTOON, with its approximately 155 million monthly active users, is a key partner in this venture. The platform is known for its mobile-first, vertical-scroll format, which has revolutionized how a new generation of readers consumes comics. The collaboration will not only bring existing archives to new audiences but also feature new original stories developed specifically for the platform.
While the partnership marks an exciting development for comic book fans, the prominent role of Josh D’Amaro in the announcement is notable. D’Amaro’s purview has historically been focused on physical, in-person experiences and merchandise. While his portfolio does include Disney Consumer Products and the digital games and apps business, the direct public-facing announcement for a new digital platform seems to lean more into the media and entertainment segment of the company, which is run by other executives.
This could signal a new, more integrated strategy for Disney, where leaders across different business units are collaborating to leverage all aspects of the company’s intellectual property, both in the physical and digital realms.
From Marvel to Star Wars, Disney Teams Up with WEBTOON to Launch a New Digital Comics Hub
