Is Disney Up to the Challenge?

Disney (NYSE: DIS) announced its plans to acquire Marvel Entertainment (NYSE: MVL) back on August 31, and the $4.2 billion deal is nearing completion this week. Disney shares have risen more than 20% since the deal was announced, and according to a recent AP reportthe simpsons dvd box set , the rise is partly on the hope for new character development[size=150][/size]South park dvd collection and better use of Marvel heroes indisney dvd collection movies, stores, South park dvd collectionand theme parks.
In addition, the article[size=150][/size]South park dvd box set goes on to explain, "Disney would benefit the most from new characters that Disney and Marvel develop together because the company would own the franchises outright instead of simply receivingfamily guy dvd box set licensing fees from the movies that Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE)the simpsons dvd and News Corp.'s (Nasdaq: NWS) Fox produce on their own."
Clearly there's a good case for the acquisition, however, it's an expensive purchase at a 40% premium at the time of the announcement. Also, the question remains whether movie-goers will embrace the simpsons dvd box set Marvel's more obscure characters, and whether Disney is the simpsons dvd up to the challenge of making them a success