On August 31, 2009, The Walt Disney Company announced a deal to acquire Marvel Comics' parent corporation, Marvel Entertainment, for $4 billion or $4.2 billion, with Marvel shareholders to receive $30 and 0.745 Disney shares for each share of Marvel they own. As of 2008, Marvel and its major, longtime competitor DC Comics shared over 80% of the American comic-book market. As of September 2010, Marvel switched its bookstores distribution company from Diamond Book Distributors to Hachette Distribution Services. COUNT 5
QSN1 What entertainment company purchased Marvel at the end of the 2000s? ANS1 The Walt Disney Company QSN2 When was the sale of Marvel to this entertainment conglomerate announced? ANS2 August 31, 2009 QSN3 What was the sale price of Marvel? ANS3 $4 billion or $4.2 billion QSN4 What is the readership market share enjoyed by Marvel and DC comics? ANS4 80% QSN5 In 2010, Marvel switched to what distributor for bookstore comic book sales? ANS5 Hachette Distribution Services