File this under “Things I Didn’t Assume I’d Get To Read In My Lifetime,” but apparently Marvel and Jack Kirby’s heirs have reached an end to the long-running legal disputes between the two in regards to the rights of their superheroes.
In a joint statement released today, it is said: “Marvel and the family of Jack Kirby have amicably resolved their legal disputes, and are looking forward to advancing their shared goal of honoring Mr. Kirby’s significant role in Marvel’s history.”
What exactly will come from this is, of course, unknown at this early stage. Kirby’s heirs and Marvel have been at odds legally for some time now, with Marvel contending ownership to the characters given that Kirby’s work was done “for hire” whereas Kirby’s heirs were utilizing a clause in the 1976 Copyright Act to state they had the rights to terminate the copyright. Kirby is, of course, the creator of most of Marvel’s most prominent and popular characters, including those that are starring in Marvel Studio’s film The Avengers.
Still, this is rather big news — and rather good news at that. While I’m sure we’ll learn more of what this means for Kirby and his heirs soon, this is a great step to hopefully seeing more stoic and important creators also getting their due in the future.
