Scottish comic book writer sells company to Netf lix for £25m
HE was once so poor he could not afford a proper lock for his front door.
But the success of Scot Mark Millar’s comic empire saw creations such Kick-Ass, Wanted and Kingsman turned into Hollywood films.
Now newly published accounts reveal that home entertainment giant Netflix paid £24.8million for his Edinburghbased firm Millarworld.
As part of the 2017 deal Millar, originally from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, became an executive at Netflix and creates exclusive comics, movies and television shows for the company.
Millar has previously told how he struggled to make a living after his mother and father died while he was still a teenager.
He said: ‘After my parents died, I had no cash. I was living in a flat on the outskirts of Coatbridge – I couldn’t afford to live in Coatbridge – and there wasn’t even a proper lock for the door.
‘I did my second year at university living there. I thought this was horrible, so every day I would go to the library and borrow or steal paper, and I would literally batter out scripts.’
He added: ‘Everyone I know in Hollywood grew up rich. I didn’t. The trappings of wealth do not sit easily with me. I never want to be one of those guys that splashes cash on an Aston Martin.
‘I want my kids to have a normal life and play with the neighbours’ kids and go to a local school. Otherwise, you end up like Paris Hilton.’
After signing the Netflix deal 49-year-old Millar and his wife, Lucy, resigned as directors of Millarworld but still work for it as Netflix employees.
The accounts show that Millarworld made a profit after tax of £23.3million for the year ended June 30, 2018. The previous year its profit was just £330,000. The accounts state that the massive profits jump arose as a result of the ‘disposal of the [company’s] intellectual property to Netflix’.
The accounts also show that the firm paid more than £2.3million in corporation tax during the year.
A spokesman for Netflix declined to comment.
Together with his wife, Millar – who was also previously written Superman, Captain America and Wolverine comic book stories – has set up a charitable foundation.
It will use his fortune to redevelop the Townhead area of Coatbridge where he grew up. He has announced plans to build homes there.
Profits from the venture will be put back into community facilities. If all goes well, he intends to launch a longer-term regeneration plan.
Last month, Millar opened a not-for-profit cafe to raise money for the community.
The Rainbow Family Cafe is based at Townhead Parish Church in Coatbridge.
In 2013, Millar was awarded an MBE for his services to film and literature,