A feel good day: DC Comics rewards it’s past creators…
Thanks to AL Nickerson for sending this along to me….
Here’s a wake up call to Marvel Comics…. DC comics is paying out money to creators who helped put a mark on their properties to make them into movies, etc. See Neal Adam’s site here.
Here are some notes from Neal’s entry:
1. Marvel does not provide royalties past 5 years after an artist (or writer) dies. So, for example, Jack Kirby’s family no longer receives royalties for Jack’s massive work for Marvel Comics. In stark contrast, D.C. Comics has no such policy and though Jack did far less work for D.C. Comics, royalties are regularly paid to Jack Kirby’s family and will continue.
2. Marvel insists the terms of their contracts be kept secret from others. No such repressive tactics exist at D.C.
3. These checks, for Batman, not only to Neal, of course, stand out in sharp contrast to the case of Dave Cockrum at Marvel who clearly and admittedly created 5 X-Men characters but is only being paid royalties for one.
So, DC Comics is STILL paying Jack Kirby’s family royalties for far less work, and not under contract to do so, but Marvel doesn’t give a DIME to the Kirby estate, or any other creators really, ‘cept ol’ Stan the man.
What’s up Marvel Comics? When are you going to stand up and do the right thing? I feel great hearing this, because it means SOMEONE actually cares about the heritage of our past creators in comics. The forefathers of the industry. Maybe this is why great NEW characters are often not created for companies like Marvel, and they sit doing the same characters they’ve done for over 60 years… Maybe if companies actually rewarded creators for thier contributions, you’d see more AMAZING contributions. Young creators might be inspired to make NEW legends……
Good on DC for this move. I hope it continues. Shame on Marvel Comics…. shame, shame.
November 1st, 2005 at 2:19 pm
So that’s why Marvel hasn’t had a new character in… about 15 years… or am I wrong?
November 1st, 2005 at 2:20 pm
Most likely. Would you sign your characters over to them!? hahaha
November 1st, 2005 at 2:26 pm
Well, there is NYX but that turd just won’t take a shine no matter how long they give it.
November 1st, 2005 at 3:05 pm
I don’t agree with Marvels’ policies, but so it’s fair - Stan Lee didn’t get his pension until after years of legal wrangling.
I just wanted to put it out there that it wasn’t by default that he’s been rewarded by the company he helped to build.
November 1st, 2005 at 7:19 pm
I do have to commend DC Comics for paying out money to creators (or their families) when they aren’t obligated to do so. Although, I hope this does go beyond compensating Neil and the Kirby family.
Yes, Marvel sucks.
November 1st, 2005 at 8:49 pm
yirmumah, where i get all my news
November 2nd, 2005 at 12:53 am
Shit, I hate to be defending dumbfuckery such as Marvel is pursuing, but……DC is owned by Warner which has more money than God. They can pass up stupid deals that Marvel has to take because they need the money. OK, and Marvel has bad management, and I’m pissed off at a number of the decisions Quesada has made, but Marvel has been in bankruptcy not too long ago and they’re hardly swimming in cash. They’re not really in a position to be handing out cash to be good guys.