While paying your $13.50 to see "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" in 3D this coming weekend, you might want to think about giving a donation to the co-creator of the character. Gary Friedrich, one of three of the credited creators of the flaming antihero, has been countersued by Marvel Comics over his right to manufacture and sell products featuring Ghost Rider. Marvel's suit stated that he must "pay $17,000 in damages, and cease not only selling Ghost Rider-related items of his own creation but also promoting himself as the creator of the character for financial gain."
Friedrich initially sued Marvel Entertainment, Hasbro, and other companies in 2007 over allegations that "the copyrights used in the first 'Ghost Rider' movie and related products reverted to him in 2001 because the publisher failed to register the character's first appearance in 1972's 'Marvel Spotlight' #5 with the U.S. Copyright Office."
Marvel won the court case, but countersued Friedrich for "damages for the writer's unauthorized sale of Ghost Rider posters, T-shirts and cards online and at comic conventions." It's a common practice for writers and artists to sell prints and products featuring the image of their creations when they make appearances at conventions and events.
Losing the court case with Marvel isn't the issue here. The judge made a decision, and Friedrich and his lawyers are welcome to dispute it. The issue here is a corporate entity demanding $17,000.00 from the co-creator of a character it will be making millions off of starting again this weekend when the new movie opens. Friedrich wasn't doing anything any other writer or artist doesn't do at comic book conventions across the world.
Friedrich admitted to having a liver ailment and being broke. A charity was set up by "30 Days of Night" co-creator/writer Steve Niles to help the ailing Friedrich and his wife pay bills and such during this hard time:
"As many of you may have heard, the creator of Ghost Rider has been counter-sued by Marvel. Please donate whatever you can and help Gary pay his bills. Every little bit helps. He gave me some of my fondest childhood memories. The least we can do is thank him and help," Niles wrote on his website, also noting the requests for financial help have been successful. "The response has been overwhelming!"
Friedrich responded to all the support from fans of his work via an email:
"Jean [his wife] and I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who are supporting us. We're just overwhelmed by the outpouring of love we've received and continue to receive. And we hope one day to get to meet and thank all of you personally. You comics fans are the most special group of people on earth."
If you're heading out to see "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" this weekend, give some thought to donating a few dollars to one of the men who made it all possible for the character to exist. You might want to think about skipping a 3D screening of the movie and giving the difference to Friedrich. The movie was post-converted into 3D. Will you really be missing anything anyway?
For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:
'A.D.D.: Adolescent Demo Division' Graphic Novel Review
'Batman: The Dark Knight, Volume 1: Golden Dawn: Deluxe Edition' Review
'American Vampire Volume 3' Graphic Novel Review
Check out coverage of the 84th Academy Awards on Yahoo! Movies
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