Time Warner Inc (TWX), The Walt Disney Company (DIS): How Superheroes Might Save Your Portfolio

Six Flags Entertainment Corp (NYSE:SIX) theme parks also benefit from superhero-themed attractions. Visitors to Six Flags can enjoy rides such as “Batman’s Batwing Coaster” and “Superman: Ride of Steel.” Live stunt shows and other entertainment attractions have also been included in some parks’ performance schedules as well. Though Six Flags Entertainment Corp (NYSE:SIX) is no longer owned by Warner Bros., it retains long-term licenses for its DC Comics-based rides and events.

The licensing terms allow Six Flags to do more than just create rides based on DC characters. It can also to sell branded merchandise featuring the characters, use the characters in promotional materials and have actors portray the characters as walk-arounds. In the company’s 2012 annual report, Six Flags expressed its belief that the DC licenses and other licensed characters are a major boon to the company as they increase guest attendance, support higher ticket prices, improve the average length-of-stay for guests and improve revenue by enhancing in-park sales.

Conclusion

Though there are an increasing number of films and other products relating to superheroes, the market hasn’t reached a saturation point yet.

The most direct way to benefit is to invest in the companies that own the characters. Given that both Disney and Time Warner benefit from licensing agreements and have earned hundreds of millions of dollars or more with each film release, both may be sound investments. Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) benefits from the superhero market as well, though not as significantly as the others due to releasing fewer superhero-themed films and having a smaller stake in the films’ successes.

License-bearers can also make good investments. Hasbro has an opportunity to launch a new toy line with each Marvel Studios film release and hopes to grow its brands globally. Six Flags may benefit from future DC releases as well, especially if the films are record-setting blockbusters like Man of Steel.

John Casteele has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Hasbro and Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS). The Motley Fool owns shares of Hasbro and Walt Disney. John is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

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