Marvel Comics controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Marvel sues over rights to Steve Ditko creations
Lawsuit filed
In a dispute over ownership of rights to characters including Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, Marvel Comics sued the estate of Steve Ditko. Marvel argues that Ditko's contributions were works made for hire and therefore belong to the company. The lawsuit concerns the copyright status of characters Ditko helped create. The dispute centers on whether Ditko's work was produced as work for hire, which would place the rights with Marvel rather than his estate.
Source excerpt
Marvel argues, as it did in the Kirby case, that Ditko’s iconic superhero creations were considered “work for hire” and therefore belong to the company.
“Marvel assigned Steve Ditko stories to illustrate, had the right to exercise creative control over his contributions, and paid him a per-page rate for his contributions,” lawyers for Marvel wrote in the lawsuit.
2021
Penguin Random House responds to damaged comic shipments
Company response
Penguin Random House acknowledged that its first week shipping Marvel products did not meet expectations and that some retailers received damaged products. It apologized, said it was working to resolve claims and packaging issues, and expected material improvements to begin with October 20 shipments.
Company response
Apology — Penguin Random House
Our apologies.
Remediation — Penguin Random House
We are working continuously to reach out and positively resolve every claim.
Source excerpt
We expect to implement material improvements beginning with your October 20th shipments and further evolving thereafter.
We know that our first week shipping Marvel product didn't fully meet our expectations, and some of you received damaged product. Our apologies. We are working continuously to reach out and positively resolve every claim.