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Superman creators Siegel and Shuster, who sold their iconic character’s rights for just $130 have finally been credited by DC Comics, as the Man Of Steel celebrates his 75th anniversary.
Here we can see the uncashed cheque the pair were handed by DC Comics for the character, which resulted in one of the largest legal fights in comic history.
The credits, published in Justice League #19, now include the words: ‘Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster by special arrangement with the Jerry Siegel family.’
After the creators received the original cheque in exchange for the rights over ‘the Man of Steel’ from Detective Comics in 1938, the duo struggled to gain crediting rights and a share in the soaring profits that the franchise made.
Both creators lost their jobs and were reported to have suffered financial destitution because of the ensuing legal battles over Superman’s ownership rights.
Only many years later, in the 1970s through help from DC insider Neal Adams, did the comic book creators gain some success in receiving comic book credits and royalties.
The recent victory came after a series of lawsuits and settlements that appeared to give Warner Bros, DC Comic’s owner, decisive control over Superman’s rights in January.
But a recent federal judge’s ruling has since stated that a 2001 agreement, which gave the creators credit was legally binding.
As of April 2013, the 75th anniversary of Superman’s first appearance in Action Comics #1, new DC Comics publications featuring Superman have published their creators’ credit.”
In 2012 the cancelled $130 check sold at auction for $160,000.