Cutler, who has had business dealings with Disney during his 30 years in the comic business (25 on St. Marks Place), said without a hint of sarcasm, "They were a joy to work with. We look forward to good possibilities. We hope it's all swell."

Seemingly speaking for independent comic shops across the country, he told Portfolio.com, "Our only concern is that Disney is a very large company used to working with other large companies and might neglect the small, independent businesses that make this [genre] go.

"Without us, there are no Iron Man movies," he continued. "Without independent comic shops nationwide promoting and supporting products week in and week out, I don't think you'd have the support for [comic book] films. We provide the infrastructure."

With the ink on the deal hardly dry, some observers are just wondering about the next acquisition. As one Twitter user named Joearf from Old Greenwich, Connecticut, tweeted, "No effin way: Disney bought Marvel Comics?!?What's next Microsoft buying Apple?Followed by Disney buying Microsoft, no doubt.Who's buying me?"

Disney-Marvel-Microsoft-Apple-Joearf? Worst. Merger. Ever.