Diamond Galleries’ Scoop writes about an extensive collection of documents from the initial 1947 legal battle between Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and National Periodical Publications that’s being offered for sale by Esquire Comics.
The several hundred pages include trial exhibits, such as correspondence between Siegel and the publisher, contracts, legal briefs, and what Scoop says is “apparently the original Superboy script introducing the character.”
The above document is particularly interesting. It’s a 1941 invoice for payment from Siegel to the legendary Jack Liebowitz, co-founder of what would become DC Comics. In addition to a request for prompt payment so that Siegel and Shuster “can quickly clear up our current debts,” the invoice includes a complaint about Adventure Comics artist Chad Grothkopf:
“I note in the May issue of Adventure Comics that Chad has again neglected to place my name on the Federal Men Release. Chad has deliberately disregarded your instructions so many times don’t you think it would be best to turn the feature over to another artist. I’d prefer it very much.”
(Via Forbidden Planet International blog)
August 1st, 2007 at 11:38 am
An interesting (and tragic) saga. I highly recommend Gerard Jones MEN OF TOMORROW.
August 1st, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I second the recommendation for MEN OF TOMORROW, a very entertaining and informative read.
The 1942 letter shown in Scoop’s article is particularly interesting, it shows Siegel arguing in favor (the letter is addressed to Jack Liebowitz) of keeping Superman’s identity a secret from Lois Lane. I go into more details at my blog.