Marvel Cancels Promo With Defense Contractor Following Public Outcry

Marvel canceled a proposed partnership with defense contractor Northrop Grumman after getting an angry reaction from fans.

The partnership, which was planned to coincide with New York Comic Con last weekend, was to include a digital and print comic depicting Northrop Grumman as an affiliate of Tony Stark (Iron Man, in case he managed to conceal his secret identity from you too well) and the Avengers. It also was going to include a special promotional item created by Marvel Custom Solutions.

Marvel and @northropgrumman join forces! Come check out the #MarvelNYCC booth tomorrow at 3pm EST. pic.twitter.com/pb5V1tj19L

— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) October 6, 2017

After making the announcement of the partnership via Twitter, fans and even some Marvel creators voiced their concern with the fact that Northrop Grumman, in addition to creating aerospace equipment and the Apollo Lunar Module, constructs bombers, laser weapons and more "instruments of destruction."

Salin Ahmed, author of Marvel's "Black Bolt" responded to the controversy.

https://twitter.com/saladinahmed/status/916675055597301761

Marvel cancelled it on the same day as the announcement.

This event has been canceled.

— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) October 7, 2017

"The activation with Northrop Grumman at New York Comic Con was meant to focus on aerospace technology and exploration in a positive way," Marvel said in a statement to Deadline. "However, as the spirit of that intent has not come across, we will not be proceeding with this partnership including this weekend's event programming. Marvel and Northrop Grumman continue to be committed to elevating, and introducing, STEM to a broad audience."