Marvel shakes down Ghost Rider Creator for $17,000!
Marvel shakes down Ghost Rider Creator for $17,000!
Gary Friedrich writes to all the fans who have supported him after the recent court case with MARVEL.
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/Thorverine/news/?a=54582
I met him at a few local cons in my area. Nice guy and personable.
However, he has been turning a profit promoting himself as the "creator of Ghost Rider", and at his boothes, he sells general GR related merchandise, not just stuff he had a hand in. I feel bad for his health and financial problems, and I do think Marvel's cracking the whip a bit too harshly on him, but he was selling stuff that he had no personal hand in creating, which isn't right.
It's a shaky line, I'll admit. Retailers and comic book shop owners can sell products obviously without anyone batting an eye. But with creators, it's something else. I think the fact he billed himself as "Creator of Ghost Rider" and was selling original art pieces and other GR stuff and using his fame/rep to get money is what got him.
But then again, local artists charge commission rates for drawing characters they don't own, too.
Originally posted by JakeTheBank
It's a shaky line, I'll admit. Retailers and comic book shop owners can sell products obviously without anyone batting an eye. But with creators, it's something else. I think the fact he billed himself as "Creator of Ghost Rider" and was selling original art pieces and other GR stuff and using his fame/rep to get money is what got him.
Stan Lee still bills himself as the creator of everything, but I guess that is a little different since I think he still has an honorary potion on the Marvel Board. I honestly don't think Marvel would have cared if Gary hadn't tried to sued for ownership first.
Originally posted by JakeTheBank
But then again, local artists charge commission rates for drawing characters they don't own, too.
Yeah I've done that... don't sue me Marvel!