Marvel calls off Comic Con event with arms manufacturer

Comic-book giant Marvel has cancelled tie-in event with a major weapons company after criticism from fans.

Within hours of announcing the collaboration - Marvel said they would no longer be going ahead with the event.

The comic-book giant announced the partnership with US arms manufacturer Northrop Grumman on Twitter on Friday.

But Marvel fans on social media were quick to criticise the collaboration.

'Marvel and Northrop Grumman join forces', marvel comics announces on Twitter

When the announcement came, many fans on social media thought it was a strange pairing, with some suggesting the collaboration promoted profiting from war.

The defense manufacturer makes military and aerospace technology, as well as cybersecurity systems for commercial customers and the U.S. armed forces.

'Nope , nope , nope - don't do this Marvel - drop the partnership and run,' one follower tweeted.

'Hey this is weird, uncomfortable, and sort of gross? maybe... don't partner with arms manufacturers?' one Marvel fan tweeted

'Whoever suggested this to you should be fired immediately. Your main demographic is CHILDREN. You should be ASHAMED,' tweeted another.

They teamed up with the arms manufacturer to produce a comic book called Avengers, featuring N.G.E.N. - Start Your N.G.E.N.S!

It showed the Avengers joining forces with a team of superheroes called Northrop Grumman's Elite Nexus, a team of hi-tech heroes known as N.G.E.N.

And Marvel's announcement that Northrop would be joining them at Comic Con New York was thought to be linked to this special edition comic.

One fan tweeted a picture of the comic book cover that's been causing the controversy.

But then, with no explanation, the Marvel Twitter account tweeted that the event would no longer go ahead.

'This event has been cancelled,' Marvel comics later tweeted.

And the issue of the comic that was available to read online has now also been removed from the Marvel site.

Some fans say Marvel rethinking this partnership is due to recent debates surrounding gun laws in America.

"The activation with Northrop Grumman at New York Comic Con was meant to focus on aerospace technology and exploration in a positive way,"

"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," they said.

"Marvel and Northrop Grumman continue to be committed to elevating, and introducing, STEM to a broad audience."

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