Before you laugh, consider this: Netflix, the streaming giant whose business model is built on working out how things are done and then not doing them that way, has moved into the comic book business.

The billion-dollar global streaming giant today announced it had acquired Millarworld, the company owned by Scottish-born comic book author Mark Millar.

Millarworld's key titles include Wanted, The Unfunnies and Kick-Ass.

All three titles have been adapted into movies previously, but could now be redeveloped by Netflix for a streaming television audience.

Several other Millarworld titles, Chosen and War Heroes, have previously been optioned by US film studios.

The deal is essentially Netflix's first corporate acquisition, an unusual move and one which is more the hallmark of a traditional Hollywood studio.

The move brings Netflix into line with Warner Bros, which owns DC Comics, and Disney, which owns Marvel, though those two comic book companies have vastly longer histories and larger libraries than Millarworld.

According to Millarworld, the deal means Netflix will develop its titles as films, television series and children's series; Millarworld will also publish "new stories and character franchises" under a Netflix label.

That's where things get interesting, and the seemingly far fetched idea of a House of Cards or Orange is the New Black comic book suddenly doesn't seem so unlikely.

Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos described Millar as a "modern say Stan Lee".

Lee, in collaboration with artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, co-created a number of iconic comic book heroes, including Thor, Iron Man, Spiderman, the Hulk, Doctor Strange and the X-Men.

Miller has previously worked for both DC Comics and Marvel; he has also consulted to 20th Century Fox's comic book slate, notably the X-Men film franchise and the Fantastic Four.

During his time at Marvel, Miller worked on several key story arcs, including the Captain America 'Civil War' story, which has been adapted into a film, and the 'Old Man Logan' story in the Wolverine comic, which inspired the most recent Wolverine film, Logan.

Miller said today he felt like "Richard Dreyfuss, wide-eyed and walking around the mothership at the end of Close Encounters."

He added it was "crazy-exciting to be a part of... [Netflix's] global plans."