Ghost of a Chance

On the one hand, I appreciate that the lawsuit against Gary Friedrich, a writer who helped create the the comic-book character Ghost-Rider, may have been driven more by Marvel's corporate parent Disney. On the other, Marvel's history with the treatment of the writers and artists who've generated millions on "work for hire" creations may be even more dubious than that of DC Comics and their poor treatment of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, so they don't get much benefit of doubt from me. The latest wrinkle in the wake of the judgment against Friedrich is that Marvel is now demanding payment of $17,000 from Friedrich related to unlicensed Ghost Rider merchandise he sold at conventions. Putting aside that Friedrich is apparently in no financial state to pay such a judgment, you really have to wonder why no one at Marvel or DC doesn't realize that the negative publicity here probably hurts them more than that $17,000 would benefit them, assuming Friedrich can even pay it. It certainly underlines the point that Marvel's days as the "House of Ideas" are long gone.