http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/02/09/marvel-demands-for-gary-friedrichs-ghost-rider-prints/
The creator of Ghost Rider, who is destitute after creating a character who has made millions for its Publisher, just lost a lawsuit over the rights to said character.
Not only is he not allowed to…
Christ, what bullshit.
I’m going to say a true thing which is where I am putting all my hope in this situation. I know for a fact that in the past, Marvel has quietly helped some creators in these situations. They just can’t always publicize it for legal reasons.
I am absolutely certain no one in Marvel editorial wants to make a struggling, classic creator want to pay back money for pennies he scraped together after years of going to conventions. But legal teams, who knows what they are thinking.
I am hoping with all my might that Marvel looks at this and at the very least forgives that debt. If they won’t, I will do everything I can to help raise the money so Mr. Friedrich isn’t crushed by this completely punishing debt.
Please, Marvel, do the right thing. I know you are good people with good hearts and I know you don’t want to do this.
Is there any kind of fund or drive for Mr. Friedrich set up? It’s pretty sad for a character’s creator to be in these straights when Marvel’s making piles of money off his character. I’d love to donate and spread the word if there’s a centralized place to do so.
I don’t know yet. I think people are hoping to hear something from Marvel.
I had to grab Google Cache of the article, Bleeding Cool appears to be down:
Recently, Marvel triumphed in court against Gary Friedrich, the creator of Ghost Rider, as to whether any moneys or rights were owed to him from the use of the characters in movies, with the second movie starring Nicolas Cage on its way.
And while the court decided that Marvel owe Gary nothing, they also decided on a counter claim from Marvel, that Gary Friedrich owes $17,000 for selling prints of the Ghost Rider character at conventions and the like.
This represents Gary’s earnings from selling such prints over several years – but now Gary is penniless. And Marvel are demanding payment now. Oh, and that he is not allowed to say he is the creator of Ghost Rider for financial gain, say by doing an interview, in the future.
Marvel was recently bought by Disney for $4 billon. Nicolas Cage recently sold his copy of Action Comics #1 for over 2 million, and will have received similar for starring in Ghost Rider 2.
Gary Friedrich, the creator of Ghost Rider is, however, penniless.
Marvel and Disney need to burn. That is all.
This is so wrong.
That’s seriously fucked up.
Fuck… this is bad.
I’d donate to that.
This right here^ Amen.
note from Gary Friedrich: Although...my employment situation and financial difficulties as...
This is retarded, but not the first time. The creators of Superman died in poverty still fighting for their legal rights...
I AM LEGIT MAD. WHAT THE FUCK. REBLOGGING THIS IN THE HOPES THAT OTHER PEOPLE SEE IT. THIS IS FUCKED UP >:|
*rubs temple* really Marvel?
It’s things like...reason I’m becoming a lawyer.
CBLDF would normally handle,...don’t think. They are primarily first amendment guardians....