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Marvel controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

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  1. 2021

    Creator termination-rights and copyright litigation

    Estates and representatives of several Marvel creators pursued claims seeking to terminate or renegotiate Marvel's copyright interests in characters and works created decades earlier. Marvel and Disney contested the claims, and the disputes were resolved through settlement and dismissal rather than a final appellate decision establishing a broad new rule.

    Source

  2. 2021

    Disney files lawsuits over Marvel character rights

    Lawsuit filed

    In 2021, The Walt Disney Company filed lawsuits in Los Angeles and New York seeking to stop heirs of Marvel artists and writers from reclaiming rights to characters including Iron Man, Thor, and Spider-Man. Disney-owned Marvel also sought to invalidate copyright termination notices. The filings were reported as an effort to protect the Marvel superhero franchises.

    Stated objective. To stop heirs from reclaiming rights to characters and establish ownership of character rights.

    Source excerpt

    • Disney-owned Marvel is aiming to invalidate copyright termination notices served against the entertainment giant by, among others, the younger brother of the late Marvel figurehead Stan Lee and the estate of Steve Ditko, who together created Marvel superheroes Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and others.
    • The Walt Disney Company Sept. 24 filed lawsuits in Los Angeles and New York seeking to stop the heirs to Marvel Comics artists and writers from reclaiming rights to characters such as Iron Man, Thor, and Spider-Man, which their relatives helped create.
    • Larry Lieber, Don Heck, Patrick Ditko, Don Rico, and Keith Dettwiler are the subject of the filings, with the case set to establish whether these comic book characters should be deemed as works made for hire (thereby making the publisher, Marvel Comics in this instance, the statutory author).
    Source

  3. 2021

    Eternals plot about the Hiroshima bombing sparks controversy

    Issue disclosure

    A plot in Marvel's film Eternals related to the Hiroshima atomic bombing sparked controversy. According to the source, the article reports differing views about whether the scene reflects on humanity or overlooks aspects of World War II and Japan's role. The coverage presents these contrasting perspectives without stating a resolution.

    Source excerpt

    • 漫威新片《永恒族》中一段“广岛原子弹爆炸”相关剧情引起争议，该片编剧Kaz Firpo和Ryan Firpo对媒体回应了这段剧情。
    Source

  4. 2021

    Marvel responds to antisemitic imagery in Immortal Hulk comic

    Company response

    Marvel acknowledged that an antisemitic image in Immortal Hulk #43 was missed during its review and said it was removing the image from print and digital editions. Critics said the imagery invoked an antisemitic stereotype.

    Company response

    • Clarification — Marvel

      In a statement, Marvel 'fully acknowledged this mistake was missed on our side as well'

    • Remediation — Marvel

      Marvel, which was slammed over the anti-Semitic imagery, says it is in the process of removing the image from print and digital editions.

    Source excerpt

    • Marvel, which was slammed over the anti-Semitic imagery, says it is in the process of removing the image from print and digital editions.
    • Critics accused Marvel and the artist of playing on the 'anti-Semitic trope of Jews running the diamond business'.
    • In a statement, Marvel 'fully acknowledged this mistake was missed on our side as well'
    Source