DC Comics Expanding Brands Beyond Movies to Online Casinos

The recent sale of Marvel to Disney has DC Comics owner Warner Brothers looking to use its comic book heroes in broader marketing, including themes for online casino games.

In an attempt to copy the successful methods rival Marvel Comics has used to create new revenue streams from its branded comic book characters, DC Comics says it too will look beyond movies for uses of such heroes as Superman and Batman, including lending the brands to online casinos. DC, which is owned by Warner Brothers, is responding to Marvel's recent purchase by Disney by looking to be equally aggressive in the licensing of characters.

DC had already entered into a deal with CryptoLogic for the development of online gambling games featuring its noted heroes. DC controls not only Superman and Batman, but such characters as Green Lantern, the Flash, and Wonder Woman.

“It’s no secret that DC has myriad rich and untapped possibilities from its deep library of iconic and lesser-known characters,” said Alan Horn, COO of Warner Brothers Entertainment.

While Marvel heroes like Spider-Man, the Hulk, and the X-Men have been featured at CryptoLogic Internet casinos for years, the use of DC characters is a new development. Further, there has been some speculation Disney, conscious of its family image, may hesitate to renew licensing agreements with online gambling software companies.

Warners officials expressed regret on not having made better use of DC heroes sooner, and hopes to follow new feature films with better marketing of popular characters.