I knew I wanted to be an intellectual property lawyer. The judge in Neil Gaiman’s derivative-work lawsuit got to write 14 pages on whether two comic characters resembled ones Gaiman created in the ’90s:
In its earliest versions, the Spawn story revolved around a character, Al Simmons, who died and was recruited as a member of Malebolgia’s army. Wanting to be reunited with his wife, Simmons made a pact with Malebolgia, who returned Simmons to Earth as a Hellspawn. After defendant brought in plaintiff to spice up the Spawn story line, plaintiff conceived of and introduced a new Hellspawn. This one was an Olden Days, or Medieval, Spawn, who was returned to Earth in the twelfth century. As a new Hellspawn, “often time- disoriented, confused and emotional,” responding to “good or noble impulses as easily— or more easily—than they do to ‘evil,’: they are vulnerable and prey to exploitation by any experienced hunter.” Spawn, Issue No. 9, trial exh. 1, at 3. This was the fate of Medieval Spawn. He was dispatched early in Issue No. 9 by Angela, another co-creation of the parties.
It continues in this vein–check it out.
Inspirational Quote:
“A good marriage is that in which each appoints the other guardian of his solitude.”–Rainer Maria Rilke
