Walt Disney and Marvel finally team for crossover

Press Release

This November, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Emmy Award-winning Prep & Landing enters the world of the Avengers, Marvel’s most popular super heroes, in an all-new comic book adventure. Certainly Santa doesn’t just visit the ordinary citizens of the world – even super heroes should have a shot at making it onto the “nice” list. Join Wayne and Lanny, members of an elite unit of elves who prepare homes for Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve, in their not-so-ordinary task of preparing the Avengers Headquarters for the “Big Guy’s” arrival. The significance of readying the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes for a visit from Santa is lost on his stealthiest elves – for them, it’s just another night on the greatest job ever.

“I love Prep and Landing. I love the whole concept of Santa having these high-tech, stealth, elf squadrons that help him get each house prepared for Christmas,” commented John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. “It’s already so much fun combining this super secret spy world mixed in with the North Pole, and then to add the Avengers into the mix – spies, Christmas and comics – three of my favorite things!”

This all new Prep & Landing story, from writer Kevin Deters & artist Joe Mateo will be available exclusively in the following November on-sale comics:

· Avengers #19

· Super-Heroes #20

· Spider-Man #20

“We’re all big fans of Prep & Landing, so bringing them into the Marvel Universe was a no-brainer,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor in Chief. “I just hope that Lanny and Wayne have an easier time at my house this year than they do at the Avengers’ Mansion!”

And don’t miss Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice, a full-length special premiering on ABC this Christmas! Wayne and Lanny find themselves up to their pointy ears in trouble, as they race to recover classified North Pole technology… which has fallen into the hands of a computer-hacking Naughty Kid! Now they must turn to a Coal Elf named Noel in order to prevent Christmas from falling into chaos. You can bring home the original Prep & Landing when it releases on DVD this November 22.

This winter, the team of Prep & Landing enter the world of the Avengers—’Nuff said!

AVENGERS #19 (SEP110506)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by DANIEL ACUÑA
Rated T …$3.99
FOC—10/24/11, On-Sale—11/16/11

SUPER HEROES #20 (SEP110572)
Written by JEFF PARKER
Penciled by MANUEL GARCIA
All Ages …$2.99
FOC—10/24/11, On-Sale—11/16/11

SPIDER-MAN #20 (SEP110571)
Written by PAUL TOBIN
Penciled by MATTEO LOLLI & ROB DiSALVO
Cover by ALE GARZA
All Ages …$2.99
FOC—10/31/11, On-Sale—11/23/11

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit www.comicshoplocator.com

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit http://www.marvel.com

Located in Burbank, California, Walt Disney Animation Studios brings imagination to life through traditional and computer animated films. WDAS is filled with diverse talent from all around the globe whose passion is to create beautiful and timeless films through the art of storytelling, the magic of animation and the science of cutting-edge technology. For additional information about WDAS and The Walt Disney Company, visit http://corporate.disney.go.com/

via Disney