Marvel’s superheroes to join the Sanoma Magazines stable

05.10.2011

Sanoma Magazines Finland has signed an agreement with Disney to publish books from the legendary Marvel franchise in Finland, featuring superheroes such as Spider-Man, Captain America, and X-Men.

“Marvel books will complement our existing range of licensed titles very well,” says Ulla Leppä, Publisher at Sanoma Magazines Finland. “The new agreement will strengthen our position as the Finnish market leader in children’s books and as a publisher of Disney books generally.” 

Sanoma Magazines Finland’s first Marvel books will be published later this year. The upcoming list will be spearheaded by The Birth of the Amazing Spider-Man. Marvel titles will be sold through Sanoma Magazines Finland’s Merkurius book club and by retailers and bookshops across the country. 

“Marvel’s classic superheroes have made a big name for themselves through comics, TV, and films, and our new books will be an excellent addition, appealing to both young readers and adults,” says Satu Leskinen, Editorial Manager for Marvel books at Sanoma Magazines Finland. 

Sanoma Magazines Finland is Finland’s largest publisher of licensed books, and published 16 of the 20 biggest-selling children’s books translated into Finnish last year. 

Everybody’s superheroes 

US-based Marvel Comics emerged as a major publisher in the 1960s thanks to the popularity of the heroes created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. Disney acquired Marvel Comics’ parent corporation in 2009. Marvel’s best-known characters include Spider-Man, Captain America, and X-Men. 

Spider-Man is perhaps the most ubiquitous of Marvel’s creations and possesses an extensive range of superhuman abilities, while still being prey to many of the everyday problems that the rest of us have to deal with.

Captain America was created during World War 2 with the help of an experimental super serum and has been identified as symbolic of American prowess ever since. 

X-Men are a team of mutant superheroes devoted to protecting humanity.

 

Further information:

Päivi Autio, Director, Sanoma Magazines Finland, paivi.autio@sanomamagazines.fi, tel. +358 (0)40 549 4439

Ulla Leppä, Publisher, Sanoma Magazines Finland, ulla.leppa@sanomamagazines.fi, tel. +358 (0)40 521 4635 

 

Sanoma Magazines Finland is Finland’s leading magazine publisher and the market leader in women’s and family magazines, children’s publications, and consumer IT titles. Over 3 million Finns read the company’s more than 40 magazines. In addition to print publications, Sanoma Magazines Finland also has a growing online presence. 

We are part of the Sanoma Group, a strong European media group operating across a wide range of fields in more than 20 European countries.