Showing that there is a pathology of wealth, billionaire corporate raider Ron Perelman, controlling shareholder and bankruptor of The Marvel Entertainment Group, has partnered with the Planet Hollywood, International, chain of eatertainment nightmares, to create the first Marvel Mania, which will open at Universal City Hollywood, in August. Perelman's goal is to make more money.

Out of work actors dressed as Spiderman, Wolverine and The Incredible Hulk inspected the site last week, as part of a sneak preview media event. Co-opted for the event were 60 disadvantaged students from Hoover Street Elementary School in East Los Angeles, and Stan Lee, creator of many of the classic Marvel comic book characters.

In order to please its institutional shareholders, Planet Hollywood must continually open more eatertainment outlets. With the growth of the basic Planet Hollywood concept slowing, the company has started to roll out the All Star Cafe sport-themed chain along with the Marvel Mania concept. In keeping with the Planet Hollywood tradition, Marvel Mania will sell a wide variety of logo'ed merchandise.

The flagship restaurant will include 25,000 square feet of state-of-the-art special effects to create the illusion of being inside a comic book. Diners will be immersed in the world of classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains. There will be a full bar (off limits to disadvantaged elementary school students), an interactive waiting area ("How much longer for a table, Spider-Man?" "My tingling spidey sense indicates 45 minutes."), and seating for 400.

Universal Studios is owned by The Seagram Company, makers and distributors of intoxicating liquors. [05/31/1997]

February 10, 2012