When did Avi Arad join Marvel? Is Avi Arad still with Marvel?

Avi Arad joined Marvel in the early 1990s, initially as the CEO of Toy Biz, a toy company that had a licensing agreement with Marvel. In 1993, Toy Biz came to an agreement with Marvel Entertainment to make various toys associated with Marvel comic book characters. Arad played a significant role in this agreement, which led to the creation of many X-Men action figures and other toys that brought in millions of dollars for the company.

In 1996, Marvel faced financial difficulties and had to declare bankruptcy. Avi Arad, along with Isaac Perlmutter, another Israeli immigrant and co-owner of Toy Biz, came out on top in the bankruptcy proceedings. Toy Biz ended up taking over Marvel, and Arad and Perlmutter divided Marvel into three divisions: comic book publishing, entertainment and licensing, and toys. They also changed the name of the company to Marvel Enterprises to represent its development as a company with more diverse offerings.

After the transition, Arad became the creative head of the company and helped direct Marvel in becoming the powerhouse they are today. He was named the Chief Creative Officer and helped Marvel break into the movie business in the late-1990s. In 2000, he co-produced “X-Men,” a film that ended up earning almost $300 million around the world. In 2002, he produced “Spider-Man,” which broke many box office records, earning even more than “X-Men.” Over the next years, he oversaw the productions of films like “Spider-Man 2,” “The Hulk,” “Daredevil,” “The Punisher,” “Man-Thing,” “Blade 3: Trinity,” Fantastic Four,” “Ghost Rider,” and “Elektra.”

Many people have credited Arad with Marvel’s prolific rise, especially in the film industry. He has given a number of interviews in which he states that his childhood love of comics and toys remains and has been the main reason why he has been able to be so successful in his professional career.