CN Asia inks Marvel output deal

Cartoon Network Asia has inked an output deal with Marvel Comics that will see the broadcaster air a raft of superhero themed animated series.

The deal means that the Turner-owned broadcaster will air series including Marvel Super Hero Squad, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Thor.

“This output deal with Marvel is a landmark partnership that will see some of the world’s most popular super-heroes coming to Cartoon Network ,” said Mark Eyers, VP, content, Turner Entertainment Networks Asia.

This deal comes after the US comic book company and film studio has struck a number of similar arrangements in France and Canada. It has closed output deals for its range of animated series, which are produced and rolled out after its major theatrical releases hit movie theatres, with French commercial broadcaster M6 and Canada’s Teletoon.

Cartoon Network Asia, which also picked up Marvel-produced, DQ Entertainment-distributed series Iron Man earlier this year, will launch Marvel Super Hero Squad, which sees superheroes including Iron Man, Wolverine, the Hulk and the Silver Surfer unite to fight evil villains such as Dr Doom, in 2010. This will be followed by The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, which features characters such as Captain America and Giant Man, in 2011 and Thor, based on the thunder god of Norse mythology, in 2012.