Home
Superhero Store
Members Area
Learn How
Media
Community
Classifieds
CBM Master List
lanternstorm Home : News : Videos : Pictures : Polls : Contact

Jerry Siegel's Daughter Affirms The Ongoing War With Warner Bros.

Laura Siegel Larson finally breaks her silence, and offers a look into the continuing war with Warner Bros. Hit the jump to read the letter she addressed to all the loyal fans of the Man of steel, and of course her father.

Follow Shannon:
View CBM Profile
By Shannon Cornthwaite - 10/15/2012
In a letter sent out to Superman fan's Laura Siegel Larson (daughter of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel) breaks her silence to Superman fans after Warner Brothers filed law suits against the Siegel family, the estate of Joe Shuster and their attorney (Marc Toberoff) for attempting to interfere with contractual hold on the franchise. Below is the letter she sent...

LSL Open Letter 10.11.2012-1

In this article, Mrs. Larson accuses Warner Brothers of stealing documents from the desk of her attorney after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the family of Superman's creators.
Source: hollywoodreporter.com
DISCLAIMER: This article was submitted by a volunteer contributor who has agreed to our code of conduct. ComicBookMovie.com is protected from liability under "safe harbor" provisions and will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. For expeditious removal, contact us HERE.
10
LIKE!
159 Comments
1 2 3 4
Jollem - 10/15/2012, 10:19 PM
i always side with the creator(s) over the company
tazmaniak - 10/15/2012, 10:20 PM
^That's pretty shortsighted.
Shua - 10/15/2012, 10:21 PM
I read the whole thing, very impressed that she would be this public with her message. Unfortunately Warner Bros. has a lot of power behind them, and large corporations rarely see justice over issues like this. I remember a while back when the idea was brought up of the Siegel's regaining the rights and potentially introducing him into the marvel universe. It was just an idea but that would be a history making decision that could alter the comic companies as we know them.
Jollem - 10/15/2012, 10:21 PM
godspeed, laura
Jollem - 10/15/2012, 10:22 PM
@tazmaniak - mayhap
Knightrider - 10/15/2012, 10:24 PM
Who knows who is telling the truth as I'd heard they had a deal until this laywer came on board, and since has been impossible.

Again who knows, hope they sort it. What will they do if the family win the rights, sell to Marvel, make their own comic, it really is anyone's guess.
luffycapri - 10/15/2012, 10:43 PM
Family needs the rights back fast , wb and dc are f$%king every thing about superman up, there making him to dark and to human when he's ment to he like god Jo one can relate to.
thalidomide - 10/15/2012, 10:55 PM
Way to go DC!!
Malatrova - 10/15/2012, 10:59 PM
the power, is in us, think about it, stop buying superman stuff, make a strike until the rights revert to the shusters, and then , the true creator family will see, taht his charather , will be well used, no more superboy breaking reality walls, no more stupid reboots, no more superman figthing against generic aliens for five issues
FlixMentallo21 - 10/15/2012, 11:07 PM
Could someone give me the address of the courthouse this case is taking place in? I have a letter for both sides to read. One that could at least try to get them to settle the way that should be done.
jimpinto24 - 10/15/2012, 11:12 PM
I credit Jerry Siegel's daughter for standing up to WB!
FoxForce5 - 10/15/2012, 11:21 PM
From what I've seen of this case for the last couple of years, WB did screw the family out of a lot of money that should have been there's but these things do get complicated so I guess the court just has to hear everything and will hopefully do what's correct.

Note: "correct" doesn't alwmean "morally right" - it just means what should be, based on all the contacts and negotiations over the years.
ArtisticErotic - 10/15/2012, 11:25 PM
So what would she do with the character if she got the wrights back?

SanFranLand - 10/15/2012, 11:31 PM
Somebody needs to start a campaign or petition to right this wrong. As a musician and artist I see first hand how difficult it is to make money off of art. The mans wife never had the chance to live well from her husbands work in life.
WallyWestNAM - 10/15/2012, 11:31 PM
[frick] it man, I don't care if we never get another Superman again, this woman deserves a piece of what her father created. I'm appalled the company that Superman has called home for decades would insult the spirit he was created to inspire with these selfish actions. I wish her all the best.
WallyWestNAM - 10/15/2012, 11:32 PM
*Superman Movie I meant to say
Tony93 - 10/15/2012, 11:33 PM
at least give her some damn money..
GLprime2814 - 10/15/2012, 11:38 PM
Well money is power and what has more power than owning the rights to one of the worlds most recognizable fictional character, the only thing I would be afraid of is that the family would sell it to whoever gave them the best offer from the wrong people, and probably ruin it.
DoubleDion - 10/15/2012, 11:38 PM
Whatever... MAN OF STEEL 2013
MDHENDRICKS - 10/15/2012, 11:39 PM
Even if these money hungry individuals win DC/Warner will still own the international trademarks like the S shield since the lawsuit only pertains to the copyrights. I can't believe people are falling for the this champion of the oppressed bs yeah that's why the lawyer has a stake in this too, funny she didn't mention that the lawyer gets a portion of the rights if they win. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster gave up all rights and future earnings from Superman when they sold it to DC in the 30's. Also note that the same lawyer is representing Jack Kirby's family in a lawsuit against Marvel.
WruceBane - 10/15/2012, 11:44 PM
yeah, even if copyrights don't fully revert to the creators' families, if, in a court of law they are found to be entitled to profits...then give them some of the fricking profits.

i hadn't heard about hypothetically letting Marvel run with the Superman property in the even the family got the rights back, but that would be hysterical.

and probably ill-advised. I imagine Marvel could be just as ruthless. in the unlikely event the families get full rights to the Superman property, they'd be better off creating an independent company of which they have a controlling share, and "loaning" the character to whatever company a board of directors saw fit, for a contractually agreed upon amount of time.
ArtisticErotic - 10/15/2012, 11:44 PM
Like I said I just want to know what they would do with the character that DCs best writers haven't already done with the character??

Is it the character they want and love or is it just the money that comes along with it?
MDHENDRICKS - 10/15/2012, 11:52 PM
She fails to mention that her father and DC came to an agreement in the 70's where he and Shuster would get 20 thousand dollars a year plus health benefits for the rest of their lives, mind you this was after Superman was almost cancelled and before the movie reignited interest in the character. Also her dad died in 1996 and the first version of this lawsuit was filed in 99 three years after his death. The heirs are just gold diggers who just want what they had nothing to do with.
Banner - 10/16/2012, 12:00 AM
@ArtisticErotic, if you created Superman and Warner/DC earned billions because of it, what would you do? eat peanuts?
Happy11 - 10/16/2012, 12:04 AM
Do you honestly think either side is just interested.in superman it's all about money and that's whats really sad
thebug022 - 10/16/2012, 12:14 AM
This is redculous. How much money does WB have at their disposal? BILLIONS! Most of which isn't even from DC Comics based projects. The Seigel's aren't asking for everything, just fair compensation. If WB/DC were to give them HALF of Superman's profits, it wouldn't even make a dent! Stop being so greedy WB/DC! This guy gave you EVERYTHING! Show some respect.
LP4 - 10/16/2012, 12:18 AM
I'm siding with DC/WB on this
rbfn04 - 10/16/2012, 12:36 AM
With what DC/WB been doing to the character, I hope they lose ALL RIGHTS to it...
venkman9993592 - 10/16/2012, 12:46 AM
the family is nothing but bean counters and gold diggers. dc made deals with the creators long before the creator's kids started asking for money.

on the other hand dc doesn't seem to know what to do with superman comics these days. the character is a mess and all over the place.

MARVEL SHOULD JUST GET THE RIGHTS. hahaha
DCjohnny - 10/16/2012, 12:55 AM
ok even if she gets the rights .... what is she planning to do with superman.... if she is going to start her own comic.... superman will be doomed.... lot of fan will be disappointed and if she gives it to Marvel oh my god there will be an epic War between DC/WB , Marvel, and Laura Siegel Larson.... hell man..... i just want superman to be in DC comic universe....
rbfn04 - 10/16/2012, 12:57 AM
@dcjohnny lot of fans are disappointed with what DC/WB is doing to Superman now, son.
RamonSuarez - 10/16/2012, 1:03 AM
I don't even care about the details involved in the case. A court ruled in the Seigels' favor - Warner should give them their share. Period.

And, yes, I will side with the "little guy"/"creator" plantiff over the conglomerate defendant every time because talent so often gets screwed over in intellectual property matters like this.
RamonSuarez - 10/16/2012, 1:10 AM
The fascinating aspect of the corporate apologists' argument here is how they overlook the basic fact that the Seigels were well in their *legal right* to recapture part of the Superman copyright from Warner Bros under the Copyright Act. The U.S. District Court has upheld the 1999 verdict. Period. Its Warner Bros. who trying to stall the legal process.
RamonSuarez - 10/16/2012, 1:17 AM
Lastly, the concluding paragraph of Ms. Siegel Larson's letter hits on an important point that no one has mentioned. Warner Bros. executives are fighting this verdict tooth and nail in and out of court because they know its about more than just compensation. If were as simple as giving the Siegel's their money, I'm the executives would have negotiated a deal already. But the fact is that if the Siegels do win, get their money, and copyright entitlements every other comic artist/creator will be emboldened to seek similar compensation in court. It will open a whole new can of worms for Warner Bros., Marvel, etc. down the road. That's why executives will do anything to stop the Siegels.
DCjohnny - 10/16/2012, 1:18 AM
@rbfn04
you r saying that dc is not going any thing now.... this happens to all the comic characters, not every time the story is gonna be awesome... right now its happening to superman... but wait till "h'el on earth" series,.....( i think it will be great)
rbfn04 - 10/16/2012, 1:21 AM
@dcjohnny right now is a trick to avoid the law suit. Changing the character just enough so it doesn't fall into it. Also, been a while since DC did something good with the Godfather of super heroes
Amazo - 10/16/2012, 1:31 AM
Your father is dead.YOU created frick all! Greed.Plain and simple.Let the company that bought the character exercise their right to publish stories for the fans (that you are desperate to co-opt to your side).The folks that made the character a hot property by buying the books in the first place.
NovemberGrey - 10/16/2012, 1:31 AM
Yea yea, while I do love to side with the lil guy anyday against corporate greed, there's alot of bullshit being piled up on both sides. The fact is the family did win PARTIAL ownership already, so that is that, WB is stalling of course, HOWEVER in the initial deal, Seigel sold his rights to DC, end of story. Then later sued for the rights back, and settled then sued yet again... This current lawsuit was brought up AFTER his death. At the end of the day the daughter just wants money.

So while I do agree that the creator deserves a large portion of the profits, you can't just make a deal that works in the moment, then later at a more convenient time change your mind and sue for rights back, which is essentially what they've done over and over.

People make bad business deals and decisions all the time. If he wanted to retain ownership, he should have never sold the rights to begin with, but they did so they could make some money and build a career, that's life, quit playing the victims.
LP4 - 10/16/2012, 1:32 AM
@RamonSuarez- Not to start anything but aren't you just "siding with the little guy" against DC/WB because you tend to lean more for Marvel. Just an honest observation
titansupes - 10/16/2012, 1:32 AM
These people can [frick] off. Can't believe so many fans are supporting this trash. They had a deal in place, and their bloodsucking lawyer (who happens to own a shityy production company) gets in and wants a stake. Give them SOME money, and tell them to get [frick]ed.
PantherX - 10/16/2012, 1:44 AM
Power to the people... and all that jive.
blkyank - 10/16/2012, 2:04 AM
Any attempt by Marvel to run a licensed Superman series would set off a war with WB that would likely include WB throwing its support behind the Kirby estate and Stan Lee productions in their suits against Disney/Marvel.If it lost,WB/DC would keep all international trademarks on the Superman brand.

What studio would make a Superman film that couldn't be released overseas?

WB/DC would also keep a sizable portion of the Superman mythos that
would includes Lex Luthor,Jimmy Olson,The Fortress of Solitude,The Phantom Zone and its characters,Supergirl,Krypto,Bizzaro,Brainiac,Krytonite,Red Sun, so on.

You get the picture? The Superman the Shuster/Siegal families would get in a
victory would be unrecognizable to the american public and unable to be published,
marketed or used in comics,movies or videogames sold overseas.

The Judge hearing this case has clearly stated that the Superman material from Action Comics #1,all earlier work back to 1933,the early Superman newspaper strip
and the first Superboy adventures can not be seperated from the greater Superman franchise that DC built around the character.

It was clearly his view that the case should be as to how much compensation the Shuster/Siegal estates should be awarded based off the value of that portion of the Superman franchise that can be directly tied into work done by Shuster/Siegal before they were hired by DC or in a not work for hire basis as was the case with Superboy who was created while I believe,Shuster was in the Army in 1944 and not employed by DC.
blkyank - 10/16/2012, 2:05 AM
Sorry ment to spell it Kryptonite.
JohnnyTorch - 10/16/2012, 2:09 AM
Go Girl! I hope you Bankrupt them Suckers!! They deserve it!
Banner - 10/16/2012, 2:12 AM
Occupy Warner/DC!
Azazel1 - 10/16/2012, 2:36 AM
@LP4-No, Ramon is not just "siding" with the little guy because he likes Marvel. Did you not read what he wrote?

The US district court has ruled in the Siegels favour upholding essentially their rights under the copyright act. Period.

To me it is cut and dry. Legally the Siegels have already won. Warner bros refuses to abide by the ruling. WB's is in the wrong.

I hope this ends up costing WB's a lot of money. If it goes Supreme, they will lose and lose big.

I find WB's tactics dispicable! I hope this case gets huge media attention!
DCjohnny - 10/16/2012, 2:45 AM
@pux ..... yeah.. and count me in .........
hush - 10/16/2012, 2:49 AM
Gave up after the first page, I'm not interested in a four page guilt trip.

Congratulations on designing Superman. DC then took your design and made him what he is today. Be grateful.
nuclearpriest - 10/16/2012, 2:55 AM
I love how everyone seems to think that, if Ms Siegel prevails, superman would immediately go to Marvel. Marvel is doing just fine without Superman. If anyone is likely to step up and assume the rights to this character it would either be Boom studios or Todd McFarlane, after all, if Mr. McFarlane would pay 3 million dollars for a now worthless baseball he would surely go hard after Superman, especially after losing Marvelman.
kemuael - 10/16/2012, 3:04 AM
warner bros dc movies are so low in sales they have to sue somebody...well desperate times.
1 2 3 4

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

.