News came down in January that Gary Friedrich lost his long standing suit with Marvel comics over the ownership of his now iconic character Ghost Rider. But now further insult to injury is added with the released news of that beyond Marvel decidedly owning the rights to the famous flame covered skull headed hero – Gary also owes THEM $17,000 . Money that he made promoting himself as the creator of Ghost Rider. Similar suites have come to “The house of Idea’s” in recent years, with ultimately the same result of the court siding with Maarvel. But with the upcoming release of the second Ghost Rider film this Friday, the 17th; the recent news has left a decidedly bad taste in the mouth of comic fandom.
The idea that a multi mullion dollar company like Marvel that is backed by an even larger and more powerful multibillion dollar corporation like Disney would win such a lawsuit is no real surprise. Obviously they can afford a larger legal team and wield more resources. But that they ALSO would then demand money from a guy that is more or less destitute has a deeply unsavory air to it. Especially given the less than amazing employment market for humans in general, let alone for creative types. The same provision that demands the money also states that Friedrich can never promote himself as the creator of Ghost Rider again at conventions and signings per se, which for the 60 some odd year old writer is an important income source.
When I first read the news – my instant reaction was that someone needed to put something together. Personally – I don’t know much about creating charities or funds – or getting them started with online resources like Kick Starter . I contacted the Lower New York State District Court (where the decision was filed) to inquire how payments of suits of this nature were handled. They directed me to Marvel stating that these things are handled between parties of the suit. Attempts I made to contact Marvel directly on whether they would accept payments made to them in Gary’s honor failed to generate a response. It also seemed pretty obvious that Gary would appeal (which he confirmed on hisfacebook page ). So why send money to Marvel if there was ANY hope of the court telling them to stuff it? How could fans help Gary? Perhaps just maybe ALSO send a message to Marvel that even though he isn’t allowed to promote himself as the creator of Ghost Rider – WE know he is the creator of Ghost Rider. WE – the comic nerd public stand behind the creators, not the bloodless legal persons that control the rights to the ideas the creators hatched.
But lo and behold; I wasn’t the only one thinking this. By last Friday, Steve Niles over at his blog got a charity going to help Gary. I think a just base amount for a donation would be however much you as a fan are/ were planning on spending to see the new Ghost Rider flick. Just the ticket? The ticket, candy, soda, and popcorn? Your call. But Now – it isn’t just Gary. Quick on the heels for the outcry for people to help Mr. Friedrich – is a new change.org petition to Marvel Entertainment to give credit and royalties to Jack Kirby and his family. It appears that a bit of an uprising is happening at the grass roots level.
Just incase you didn’t notice the link IN the article;
Here are the link to Steve Niles page and the Friedrich charity.
And here is the link to the chang.org petition to marvel on behalf of Jack Kirby.
As of the time of writing this there has been no public comment from the Movie’s producers, director, or star Nicolas Cage; Himself a long time die hard Ghost Rider fan (his ghost rider tattoo had to be covered cosmetically for his role in in the first ghost rider film humorously enough). But with the movies premiere looming it would be great to see Cage back Gary. IF you can get some one with balls enough to ask him about it on the red carpet. OR if his handlers would even LET him comment on it.