Disney has settled yet another legal battle regarding the rights to its most famous characters, ensuring they won't be losing any of Earth's Mightiest Heroes anytime soon.
According to Deadline, Marvel's battle for Spider-Man and Doctor Strange has now ended after attorneys for the Disney-owned company and the estate of Steve Ditko managed to reach an amicable settlement following years of legal battles. All parties now expect a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice to be filed imminently.
Back in 2021, Marvel filed a series of lawsuits responding to copyright termination notices from Larry Lieber and the estates of Gene Colan, Steve Ditko, Don Heck, and Don Rico. Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, and The Hulk were among those at stake, but the Disney-owned company managed to quietly settle matters with all parties back in June.
The ongoing dispute with Ditko's heirs continued, though, with Spidey and the Sorcerer Supreme at stake. The termination notice revealed that the estate was looking to reclaim rights from comics including Amazing Fantasy (including Spider-Man's 1962 debut) and Strange Tales (including Doctor Strange's first appearance the next year).
The notices were also seeking "any character, story element, or indicia reasonably associated with the Works."
Ditko, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange's co-creator, passed away in 2018. Disillusioned by the time he spent at Marvel Comics, Ditko was rarely seen in later years and is believed to have had little love for Stan Lee, the writer who took the lion's share of credit for creating almost all of the Marvel Universe's characters.
The trade explains, "As in previous settlements and resolutions that Disney/Marvel have reached with the likes of the Jack Kirby estate and others, the settlement with the Ditko estate is confidential. However, a well-positioned source says that all sides are 'very satisfied' with the outcome."
Millions, tens of millions, or more? We'll never know but these characters won't be going anywhere now the matter has been settled.
Steve Ditko worked with writer Stan Lee at Marvel Comics in the early 1960s, playing a pivotal role in shaping the visual aesthetics and narratives of characters like Spider-Man and Doctor Strange. Known for his distinctive style and creative imagination, his contributions extended beyond Marvel to include work with Charlton Comics and DC Comics.
His legacy remains significant in the comic book industry, with Spider-Man becoming one of the most enduring and beloved superheroes in popular culture.
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