Siegel Estate Wins Back Rights to Superman...

[awe4one]

...some of the rights anyway...

 

This means the Siegels -- repped by Marc Toberoff of Toberoff & Associates -- now control depictions of Superman's origins from the planet Krypton, his parents Jor-El and Lora, Superman as the infant Kal-El, the launching of the infant Superman into space by his parents as Krypton explodes and his landing on Earth in a fiery crash.

 

DC owns other elements like Superman's ability to fly, the term kryptonite, the Lex Luthor and Jimmy Olsen characters, Superman's powers and expanded origins.

 

Superman co-creator's family given rights

 

Jim

 

 

[jordanscott]

I just want to see what Image could do to the character.

 

Just end all the about and give total rights to the Siegel estate and let the bidding begin.

[Ogami]

They buried the lead. More importantly, they will own the look and costume of Superman. Forget about Lex Luthor. There's only one iconic look of Superman.

[500Club]

I assume this will result in a licensing agreement between Warner/DC and the Siegels.

 

I wonder if this changes things for Simon, Kirby and others who have had similar legal battles in the past.

 

And where is Shuster in all of this?

[kimik]

I don't get this statement from Warner Bros/DC:

 

In a statement, Warner Bros. and DC said, "Warner and DC Comics are pleased that the court has affirmed that the vast majority of key elements associated with the Superman character that were developed after Action Comics No. 1 are not part of the copyrights that the plaintiffs have recaptured and therefore remain solely owned by DC Comics."

 

Considering the Siegel's have this:

 

In 2008, the same court order ruled on summary judgment that the Siegels had successfully recaptured (as of 1999) Siegel's copyright in Action Comics No. 1, giving them rights to the Superman character, including his costume, his alter-ego as reporter Clark Kent, the feisty reporter Lois Lane, their jobs at the Daily Planet newspaper working for a gruff editor, and the love triangle among Clark/Superman and Lois.

 

AND

 

This means the Siegels -- repped by Marc Toberoff of Toberoff & Associates -- now control depictions of Superman's origins from the planet Krypton, his parents Jor-El and Lora, Superman as the infant Kal-El, the launching of the infant Superman into space by his parents as Krypton explodes and his landing on Earth in a fiery crash.

 

 

Without the Superman character, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Krypton, etc. who cares if you own the "vast majority of key elements associated with the Superman character that were developed after Action Comics No. 1".

 

My guess is that if this does not get settled in time, Warner Bros/DC will not do another movie.

[jordanscott]

DC is also starting to refer to Connor Kent as Superman, now it seems.

 

Wonder if this is an attempt to keep their franchise active while moving away from the red and blue.

[Ares]

Well Superman ability to fly was developed after action comics #1

plus his vulnerability to kryptonite.

 

 

Imagine a movie were Superman can't fly

[juggernaut]

Superboy becomes Superman.

[500Club]

DC is also starting to refer to Connor Kent as Superman, now it seems.

 

Wonder if this is an attempt to keep their franchise active while moving away from the red and blue.

 

I think if you are forced to abandon the elements Ryan mentioned above, you don't really have 'Superman' as a character.

[BrianR]

I don't have a copy of Action in front of me so what about the heat vision, x-ray vision, super breath, etc.. wasn't his strength increased after Action 1?

[Ares]

Superman powers mainly consisted of enhanced strength, speed, senses and durability. When introduced in 1938, he was considerably weaker than even the Modern Era Superman. Superman was only strong enough to lift a support beam or lift a car with only one hand. He was only fast enough to pass an express train. He couldn't fly, he could only make powerful leaps. He could only withstand bullets and smaller artillery. This means that larger, heavier weapons, or a speeding train, could kill him.

 

Originally in the early comics, Superman had the ability to change his facial features by using his somewhat superhuman control of his face muscles. However, this ability eventually phased out and never used again.

 

He was super weak

[Mr 9.8]

Think of it, if MARVEL had waited they could have bought Supes from the siegels & DC could have bought MARVELMAN!

[Aman619]

Im feeling all over the map on this. Im extremely happy the Siegels have righted a wrong against dad and will recieve compensation from their ownership stake. But, now Im fearful of how thsi will affect the Superman character and the comics going forward.

 

Id like to think DC would just kep moving ahead as they were, but, sharing the proceeds with teh Siegels at whatever rate the lawyers agree upon. But, theres a real chance they might part company, and DC/TW would decide to forge on with a new Superman character thats 100% theirs.

 

In that case, it would be a sad outcome to "justice served."

 

[VintageComics]

Im feeling all over the map on this. Im extremely happy the Siegels have righted a wrong against dad and will recieve compensation from their ownership stake. But, now Im fearful of how thsi will affect the Superman character and the comics going forward.

 

Id like to think DC would just kep moving ahead as they were, but, sharing the proceeds with teh Siegels at whatever rate the lawyers agree upon. But, theres a real chance they might part company, and DC/TW would decide to forge on with a new Superman character thats 100% theirs.

 

In that case, it would be a sad outcome to "justice served."

 

I agree. The wrong side of right.

 

Justice might have been served at a cost that may destroy one of the greatest American fictional characters of all time.

[comicartcom]

the result of the lawsuit with split copyrights can and will probably become a serious issue.

 

There was an issue with the film Vertigo for instance

it could not be shown for years because the family of Bernard Herrman (music) wanted so much money to renew the contract for the music when it came up that it took about 15 years to come to a resolution and a contract was only signed once Paramount told the heirs that they had had it and were going to have new music made for the reissue of the movie.

 

There are other times when a similar issue has prevented films from being re-released and in some cases, new music was composed for those films.

 

DC however can bridge a "new" character on their side more easily than the Siegels can however. All DC has to do is change his costume and "Kent" name and other items and they can continue to use the character without much problem.

 

But of course the Siegls can go to Marvel or Image etc and have competing Supermans on teh market much teh same as the Katzenjammer/Captain and the Kids scenario of 1912

 

from my history site (which needs a bad re-write after 15 years)

http://www.comic-art.com/biographies/dirks001.htm

 

[BrianR]

Actually I can see an updated origin for superman. It might be fun

 

Just think about Superman and Supergirl are the sole survivors of a refugee ship from a war torn planet. Zod was the general of the aggressors. The ship left during the war with Superman's entire family including cousins etc. Similar to Haitians. Only they put themselves is status tubes for the long journey which ended up being a millennia. All, but two tubes failed killing the rest of the family. The shielding in the ship also started failing exposing the two kids with all sorts of radiation and cosmic stuff mutating their genes into super beings. The ship approaches earth and caught in the gravitational pull. With today's technology the Military is alerted and tracks the craft down or it could be something like the Roswell crash. The military goes in to seal off clean up and study the craft and see whether anyone is on board. This would be a large craft. Two married Scientists (Pacifists) brought in to help discover the kids are still alive. Knowing what will happen once the military finds them they sneak them offsite and place them in an orphanage/ or manipulate the situation to adopt themselves. They are raised to love peace and use their minds, etc. This could also help bring ZOD etc to earth as well.

 

This would tie in perfectly with current events and people maybe able to relate to the characters.

[BrianR]

So what do you guys think should I pitch it to DC?

[Mr 9.8]

So what do you guys think should I pitch it to DC?

It needs some work, but I think your on the right track. Wait a minute dosent DC own ZOD!??

[BrianR]

Yes, which is why they can use the character. This is just a quick idea to revamp the Superman mythos and keep the things pretty much the way they currently are. Only instead of the Daily Planet Superman works for Starlabs or something. His name could be renamed to Conner if need be "a rose by anyother name...."

[Zonker]

DC is also starting to refer to Connor Kent as Superman, now it seems.

 

Wonder if this is an attempt to keep their franchise active while moving away from the red and blue.

 

I know Geoff Johns has said the creative side is kept at arm's length from the legal battle, but you do have to wonder how much of recent Superman continuity is driven by either a) fear of copyright litigation or more likely b) positioning the company as being immune to threats of litigation from the other side.

 

First they kill Superboy Connor when it looked like the Siegles had the strongest claim on the Superboy trademark.

 

Then Superboy Prime no longer used that name-- instead he became Superman Prime or simply Prime.

 

Then when the court case turns, Prime is once again Superboy Prime.

 

And now Superman Clark Kent is off in outer space and Superboy Connor is brought back.