JERRY SIEGEL THREAT LETTER Memorabilia
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Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed Threat Letter Over Captain Marvel Lawsuit
threat letter in which Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel details his life of poverty while threatening National executives
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Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed Threat Letter Over Captain Marvel Lawsuit
threat letter in which Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel details his life of poverty while threatening National executives
DESCRIPTION
A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed Threat Letter Over Captain Marvel Lawsuit
threat letter in which Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel details his life of poverty while threatening National executivesThis troubling letter from Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel is a rare artifact from one of the comic industry's most controversial legacies--and also a lost document from one of the industry's biggest lawsuits!
In 1951, Siegel had conducted a poison-pen letter-writing campaign to shame the National Publications (later DC) executives who had left him "destitute" after the company acquired the rights to the Superman that Siegel and artist Joe Shuster sold for $130 in 1938. Two years later, this letter--dated June 18, 1953--shows Siegel using a lawsuit over Captain Marvel in a new bid to shame and threaten National Comics VP Jake Liebowitz.
"For over a year," writes Siegel, "I've been deluged by subpoenas by Fawcett Publications in the National Comics Publications, Inc. vs. Fawcett Publications, Inc. suit." That refers to the what had already become a 12-year legal battle as National claimed Fawcett's Captain Marvel titles infringed on Superman's copyright.
After listing dates on 10 different subpoenas, Siegel takes the opportunity to remind Liebowitz over the creator's lingering bitterness toward the company: "[W]hile I exist in a vacuum and watch Superman's super-goodness and super-wealth on television, pinching pennies so my family can eat, I get subpoena after subpoena after subpoena."
Siegel, who'd casually sign the letter as "Jerry," then wraps things up with a possible implied threat in regards to his possible testimony. "Have you ever tried to picture my life, and the thoughts that go through my head? Think about it." Whether or not Liebowitz considered any of this was soon a moot point, however, with Fawcett agreeing to cease publication of all Captain Marvel titles by the end of the year.
Superman Co-Creator Jerry Siegel Signed Threat Letter Over Captain Marvel Lawsuit
threat letter in which Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel details his life of poverty while threatening National executivesThis troubling letter from Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel is a rare artifact from one of the comic industry's most controversial legacies--and also a lost document from one of the industry's biggest lawsuits!
In 1951, Siegel had conducted a poison-pen letter-writing campaign to shame the National Publications (later DC) executives who had left him "destitute" after the company acquired the rights to the Superman that Siegel and artist Joe Shuster sold for $130 in 1938. Two years later, this letter--dated June 18, 1953--shows Siegel using a lawsuit over Captain Marvel in a new bid to shame and threaten National Comics VP Jake Liebowitz.
"For over a year," writes Siegel, "I've been deluged by subpoenas by Fawcett Publications in the National Comics Publications, Inc. vs. Fawcett Publications, Inc. suit." That refers to the what had already become a 12-year legal battle as National claimed Fawcett's Captain Marvel titles infringed on Superman's copyright.
After listing dates on 10 different subpoenas, Siegel takes the opportunity to remind Liebowitz over the creator's lingering bitterness toward the company: "[W]hile I exist in a vacuum and watch Superman's super-goodness and super-wealth on television, pinching pennies so my family can eat, I get subpoena after subpoena after subpoena."
Siegel, who'd casually sign the letter as "Jerry," then wraps things up with a possible implied threat in regards to his possible testimony. "Have you ever tried to picture my life, and the thoughts that go through my head? Think about it." Whether or not Liebowitz considered any of this was soon a moot point, however, with Fawcett agreeing to cease publication of all Captain Marvel titles by the end of the year.