THQ Inc. and Marvel Ent., Inc. announced that they have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement to create videogames based on the burgeoning, kid-friendly MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD franchise. As part of the multiyear agreement, THQ has obtained the exclusive, worldwide rights to publish content for all current and next-generation consoles, handheld systems, as well as Windows PC. The initial MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD game is scheduled for release in fall 2009.
MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD features a super-stylized look of the greatest Marvel superheroes, serving to expand the traditional Marvel audience to a core 4-10 year-old audience. In the series popular characters, including Iron-Man, Hulk, Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Thor, The Fantastic Four, and many more, are thrust into adventures in a single caricatured Super Hero City. Along the way, they will have to thwart the plans of popular Marvel villains Doctor Doom, Magneto, Iron Monger, Loki, the Abomination and countless other infamous baddies.
Marvel is launching a major multi-media campaign for the brand. Marvel Animation is currently in production on an animated television series that is expected to debut on air in 2009. Additionally, Marvel Comics is now featuring MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD comic strips within several of its all ages books and will be introducing a dedicated MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD comic book series in fall 2008. Marvel has already secured deals with Hasbro as master toy partner, Disguise/Cesar for dress-up and Mega Bloks for construction toys.