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Disney XD Launches Marvel Universe Programming Block

by Jill Pantozzi | 11:53 am, January 10th

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On Sunday April 1, Disney XD will launch an all-new Marvel Comics dedicated block called Marvel Universe. It will include the new animated series Ultimate Spider-Man and the return of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and include some top talent from the industry. 

President and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, Gary Marsh, announced the news at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in California yesterday. ”Iconic Marvel heroes and villains and stories with core values of accomplishment, discovery and growth make Marvel Universe a perfect complement to Disney XD and a destination for parents and kids to experience together,” he said.

Besides the two animated series, the block will also give viewers exclusive Marvel content, new animated short-form series and live-action interstitials. Not unlike Warner Bros. DC Nation block on Cartoon Network which we got a sneak peak of last year during the Green Lantern: The Animated Series special.

“Marvel Universe block is an incredible animated ride filled with fantastic action and adventure,” said Jeph Loeb, Head of Marvel Television. “The spectacular team of writers and animators capture stories with all the dynamic fun you can imagine. Disney XD is the perfect place for families and Marvel fans of all ages to come together every Sunday.”

A press release states it will be produced by Marvel Animation and creators involved include Joe Quesada, Paul Dini (Yes, Batman: The Animated Series-Dini), Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau, Steven T. Seagle and Ultimate Spider-Man comic writer Brian Michael Bendis.

Although the series is called Ultimate Spider-Man, it does not feature the newly created comic character Miles Morales but Peter Parker. “The voice cast includes Drake Bell (“Superhero,” “Drake & Josh”) as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Chi McBride (“Boston Public,” “Pushing Daisies”) as Nick Fury, JK Simmons (“Spider-Man”) as J. Jonah Jameson, Stan Lee (“Spider-Man”) as Stan the Janitor, Clark Gregg (“Iron Man”, “Thor,” “The Avengers”) as Agent Coulson and Steven Weber (“Wings”) as Norman Osborn.”

And also in the press release is this explanation of the channel and their target audience. “Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor.” Sorry, ladies.

This should be cool for fans though, especially if they used their current film stars in the interstitials.

(via Deadline)

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  • http://profiles.google.com/amberlovescomics Elizabeth-Amber Delaney

    Disney XD has been solid in programming lineups. I really missed that channel when I was without cable.

  • John Wao

    Can’t wait.

  • Corrie Melton

    They need more x-men stuff.

  • Adam Whitley

    They need the broadcasting rights for x-men cartoons Marvel never owned that for Disney to get.

  • Anonymous

    Actually,Marvel does have the TV Rights for X-Men. The last X-Men show was made Marvel Animation