Marvel Comics is the brand name and primary imprint of Marvel Worldwide Inc., formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, a publisher of American comic books and related media. In 2009, The Walt Disney Company acquired Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Worldwide's parent company.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Marvel Comics debuted in the 1987 Parade, with a float and a balloon in the likeness of Spider-Man. The float depicted many towers and buildings, with popular Marvel Superheroes scattered around it, alongside the main performer, with the Spider-Man balloon right behind it. This float would make two more appearances and was retired after the 1989 Parade. The Spider-Man balloon would go on until 1998.
A brand new Spider-Man balloon would debut 11 years later, going until 2014. In 2011, the musical, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, performed two songs. Following the retirement of the second Spider-Man balloon, Marvel would be hardly represented in the parade. In both 2022 and 2023, Spider-Man would return as a Special Character, alongside Black Panther, on the "Magic Meets the Sea" float from Disney Cruise Line.
Spider-Man would make his return as a giant helium balloon in 2024, in promotion of Marvel's 85th anniversary.
Guest Stars[]
Listed below are the guest stars that have performed/appeared on the float, alongside the respective songs which they sang during the NBC Telecast.
- 1988 - The Boys Choir of Harlem, sang "One Moment in Time"
- 1989 - Melba Moore, sang "Holding Out for a Hero”