Hey comic book industry friends and fans, send me your opinion on this http://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/gary-friedrich-enterprises-llc-et-al-v.html to be considered for use at http://Poplitiko.blogspot.com . I am doing a piece about the case, and what it might mean for comics in general. Hit me at Alexanderness63@gmail.com

and to begin with
http://poplitiko.blogspot.com/2012/02/marvel-comics-ghost-rider-and-gary.html

I hadn't followed this case at all. Friedrich was foolish to pursue it, given we already had the example of Marv Wolfman trying to get a piece of Blade. But how do they figure Friedrich owes Marvel $17K for copyright infringement? Selling GR stuff at conventions or something?

It is basically a shot to his drawers to say "Next"!?

That's pretty much as I understand it. Somebody at Marvel obviously realized that as they try and exploit more and more of their character library, they faced the possibility of more and more of these kind of lawsuits. It's pretty much a warning to the creator community that the days of Artist's Alley and selling unauthorized sketches at conventions may come to an end if they make too much of a fuss.

Mike

Does Nick Cage know about this?

We should all tweet him.

Being a comic fan he wouldn't want to be the Hollywood guy that was part of something like this. He has enough clout to get a Ghost Rider sequel made, despite all the reasons not to. He could maybe cut the guy a check or help get the message out, get some serious good guy cred for himself while he's at it.

http://poplitiko.blogspot.com/2012/02/gary-friedrich-ghost-rider-and-marvel.html

Mike Grell, Stephen Bissette and Chuck Dixon give their views on the situation.

This article below makes the prediction that Marvel won't sue everybody for "artist alley" sketches, etc., they'll save it as a threat. They'll hold it in reserve using Friedrich as an example, a message to anyone who might be thinking to claim ownership in the future. The message being that their will be a price to your impudence.

It's a smart move right out of The Art of War. The lawyers are making an example of Friedrich, they are giving a clear order and showing the punishment for not following them.

http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/22111.html

Maybe there's an address where 17,000 comic book fans could send Gary Friedrich $1 checks and write "MARVEL KISS MY ASS" where the work-for-hire contract would normally go on Marvel checks?

And if there happens to be more than 17,000 checks Gary could keep the extra?

Maybe call it the Ghost Writer Fund?

I don't think Marvel thought through all the fall out possibilities. It'd been easier to pay Friedrich 100k and say thanks than do all this and get a black eye from the bad press.

If you set it up, I'll donate.