Disney to Launch Comics on Webtoon’s Platform

Webtoon Shares Skyrocket on Disney Comics Deal

LOS ANGELES, CA – August 12, 2025 – Webtoon Entertainment saw its stock surge nearly 38% in after-hours trading today following a landmark agreement to bring Disney’s vast library of comic brands – including Disney, Marvel, 20th Century Studios, and Star Wars – to its popular mobile platform. Shares jumped to $12.92 as investors reacted positively to the news.

The partnership will initially focus on reformatted versions of existing Disney comics optimized for Webtoon’s signature vertical-scroll format. Crucially, the deal also encompasses the advancement of entirely new, original webcomic series based on these iconic franchises.

“Our collaboration with Webtoon will allow us to expand our beloved franchise universes on a best-in-class digital platform,” stated Daniel Fink,head of digital innovation for Disney’s consumer products division.

This move signals a important expansion of Disney’s digital comics strategy, tapping into Webtoon’s massive and engaged user base of approximately 155 million monthly active users.Webtoon, launched in 2004 by South Korean internet giant Naver (which retains a 63% ownership stake), has already established successful partnerships with DC Comics, Archie Comics, and Crunchyroll, demonstrating its growing influence in the digital comics landscape.

Beyond the Immediate Boost: The Future of Digital Comics

The Webtoon-Disney deal isn’t just a win for shareholders; it represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of comics. The vertical-scroll format, pioneered by Webtoon and other platforms like Tapas, has proven especially effective at attracting a younger, mobile-first audience. This format breaks from conventional page-based comics, offering a more accessible and immersive reading experience on smartphones and tablets.

Webtoon’s success highlights a broader trend: the democratization of comic creation and consumption. the platform empowers independent creators to reach global audiences,bypassing traditional publishing gatekeepers. Disney’s embrace of this model suggests a willingness to experiment with new distribution methods and tap into the vibrant community of digital comic readers.

Financial Performance Fuels Optimism

The news arrives alongside a strong second-quarter earnings report for webtoon.Revenue reached $348.3 million, exceeding analyst expectations of $340.6 million, representing an 8.5% year-over-year increase. The company also considerably narrowed its quarterly loss to $3.9 million, a considerable betterment from the $76.6 million loss reported in the same period last year, largely attributed to reduced IPO-related costs.

Looking ahead, webtoon anticipates third-quarter revenue between $380 million and $390 million, again surpassing current analyst forecasts of $373.3 million.

While Webtoon’s initial public offering in june 2024 faced headwinds, with shares initially priced at $21 and later dipping to around $7 in April, today’s surge indicates renewed investor confidence in the company’s growth potential and its strategic positioning within the rapidly evolving digital entertainment market.

How might the Webtoon format influence the storytelling approaches Disney utilizes for its comics?

Expanding the Disney Universe: A New Home for Digital Comics

disney is making a notable move into the digital comics space, partnering with Webtoon – the leading digital comics platform – to bring a curated selection of its beloved stories to a new audience. This collaboration marks a strategic expansion for Disney, leveraging Webtoon’s massive user base and innovative format to reach fans of Marvel comics, Star Wars comics, and other Disney properties. The launch is expected to substantially impact the digital comic book market and offer new opportunities for comic creators within the Disney ecosystem.

what Does This Partnership Meen for Disney and Webtoon?

This isn’t just about putting existing comics online. It’s a multifaceted strategy with benefits for both companies:

Increased Reach for Disney: Webtoon boasts over 185 million monthly active users globally,primarily a younger demographic.this provides Disney with access to a vast audience that may not traditionally consume Disney comics in physical form.

new Revenue Streams: Digital distribution offers a cost-effective way to monetize existing intellectual property. Expect to see various models, potentially including free-to-read chapters with in-app purchases for faster access or exclusive content.

Webtoon’s Content Diversification: Adding Disney’s iconic brands elevates webtoon’s content library, attracting new readers and solidifying its position as a premier destination for online comics.

Innovation in Storytelling: The Webtoon format – optimized for mobile reading with its vertical scrolling panels – encourages a unique storytelling approach.Disney may experiment with new narratives specifically designed for this platform.

Titles Coming to Webtoon: What to Expect

While a extensive list hasn’t been released, initial reports indicate a focus on popular franchises.Fans can anticipate:

Marvel Comics: Expect a range of titles, from ongoing series featuring Spider-Man, X-Men, and Avengers to limited-run stories exploring lesser-known characters. The accessibility of Webtoon could introduce a new generation to Marvel superheroes.

star Wars comics: the Star Wars universe is ripe for expansion in the digital comics format. Stories bridging gaps between films and series, or exploring new corners of the galaxy, are highly likely.

Disney Classics: Don’t rule out adaptations of classic Disney animated films and stories, potentially geared towards a younger audience.

Original Webtoon Content: Rumors suggest Disney may commission original comics specifically for Webtoon, offering exclusive content not available elsewhere. This could involve collaborations with popular Webtoon artists.

The Webtoon Format: A Deep Dive

Understanding the Webtoon format is crucial to appreciating the potential of this partnership. Key features include:

Vertical Scrolling: Comics are designed to be read on mobile devices by scrolling vertically, creating a continuous reading experience.

Full-Color Art: Webtoon primarily features full-color artwork, enhancing visual appeal.

Panel Layouts: Artists utilize unique panel layouts optimized for the vertical scrolling format, frequently enough incorporating dynamic compositions and visual effects.

Canvas Size: Webtoon comics are created with a specific canvas size, influencing the art style and storytelling approach.

Accessibility: The platform is free to access, with options for readers to support creators through in-app purchases.

Impact on the Comic Book Industry

This move by disney signals a broader trend within the comic book industry: the increasing importance of digital distribution.

Competition with Customary Publishers: The partnership could intensify competition between Disney/Webtoon and traditional comic book publishers like Marvel (a Disney subsidiary) and DC Comics.

Rise of Digital Comic Platforms: Webtoon’s success demonstrates the growing demand for digital comics, paving the way for other platforms to emerge.

Opportunities for Independent Creators: While Disney’s presence will be significant,Webtoon remains a platform for independent creators to showcase their work and build an audience.

Changing Reading Habits: The Webtoon format is influencing how people consume comics,with a shift towards mobile-first reading experiences.

Benefits for Comic Readers

The Disney-Webtoon collaboration offers several advantages for comic book fans:

Accessibility: A wider range of Disney comics will be readily available to a global audience.

Affordability: The free-to-read model (with optional in-app purchases) makes comics more accessible to readers on a budget.

Convenience: Reading comics on mobile devices is convenient and allows for on-the-go enjoyment.

New Storytelling Experiences: The Webtoon format encourages innovative storytelling approaches.

Discoverability: Webtoon’s platform makes it easier to discover new comics and creators.

Practical Tips for Finding Disney Comics on Webtoon

Once the launch occurs,here’s how to find the Disney content:

1. Download the Webtoon App: Available on iOS and Android.
2. Search for “Disney”: Use the search function within the app to find official Disney collections or titles.
3. Follow Disney’s Official Webtoon Account: Stay updated on new releases and announcements.
4. explore Genre Categories: Browse categories like “Action,” “Fantasy,” and “Superhero” to discover relevant comics.
5. Check Webtoon’s Featured Section: Disney comics may be highlighted in the platform’s featured section.