As Hurricane Sandy marched up the coast and destroyed swaths of America last week, another force, more insidious, also crept up and altered our nation’s landscape — of creative expression.

The announcement of two colossal mergers are shaking the foundations of the media entertainment industry. Two of the so-called “big six” publishers, Penguin and Random House, just declared their alliance. And Walt Disney Company purchased Lucasfilm Ltd., the movie empire of George Lucas, creator of the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” film franchises. Disney immediately announced plans to make three new “Star Wars’’ movies.