Rob Liefeld Says He’s Suing Marvel Comics

In a series of tweets posted Monday evening, comic book legend Rob Liefeld revealed he is suing Marvel Comics, but did not reveal exactly why.

The announcement comes just as Liefeld latest mutant creation, Major X, was introduced into the Marvel Universe in a highly-successful comic series.

“Had a good long talk with my attorney,” Liefeld tweeted. “Time to hold some feet to the fire for some shady practices over at @Marvel. Good times to come @RobertIger. Gotta shake up that good ol’ boy network that’s been making things up as they go. You have no idea.”

(Note: Liefeld later said he accidentally deleted his initial tweet, but we have a screenshot)

Gotta shake up that good ol’ boy network that’s been making things up as they go. You have no idea.

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 8, 2019

When followers pressed for details, he confirmed it didn’t deal with Deadpool (one of his creations) directly. He then indicated it was a larger issue.

Not DP proper. https://t.co/dc7qcFEGgN

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 8, 2019

More. Stay tuned https://t.co/WC42RsonZB

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 8, 2019

Liefeld revealed that the legal issue involved the comics division of Marvel, based in New York, and not the cinematic division, based in Los Angeles. “And, for clarification, when I say Marvel, I’m not taking the west coast cinematic branch. “New York” as referenced here in 2015 Hollywood Reporter,” he said, with a link to a Hollywood Reporter story.

And, for clarification, when I say Marvel, I’m not taking the west coast cinematic branch. “New York” as referenced here in 2015 Hollywood Reporter. https://t.co/Xfnl4MtWRd

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 8, 2019

Without providing specifics, Liefeld indicated the issue involves creator rights. “As artists we have to protect ourselves from practices that compromise our livelihood,” he said. “I have always championed creators rights and I always will.”

As artists we have to protect ourselves from practices that compromise our livelihood. I have always championed creators rights and I always will.

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 8, 2019

Past Legal Issues

He then relayed a story from 1996 in which Marvel Comics used legal maneuvers to stop him from publishing a competing comic with one of his creations. While they obviously patched things up, this new legal matter may result in the end of their current collaboration.

True story, back in 1996, Marvel filed a motion against me that stated in the complaint that I created a character called Fighting American in order to prevent me from publishing it. It was sent over at 5pm pacific time, 8pm eastern, the case was being heard 9am the next day.

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 8, 2019

We contacted a rep in NYC & flew Matt Hawkins overnight to assist with defending the motion, Fighting American was not created by me but by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby and Marvel had actually published a compendium of the work in 1987. Their attorney was shocked we showed up to oppose

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 8, 2019

The motion was filed in a misleading manner in order to obtain a temporary restraint against my publishing Fighting American. Had the Judge granted it based on the misleading filing it would have taken me months to unwind the ruling and it would have stopped me cold.

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 8, 2019

The Judge ruled against the TRO as we showed Marvel had published a version of the comic they were seeking to stop. Then Marvel filed that Fighting American could not wield a shield as he had not previously. Bottom line, we won that ruling as well. Fighting American went to press

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 8, 2019

Liefeld provided no additional details after his tweets.

Post your thoughts in the comments section below on Rob Liefeld and his possible suit against Marvel Comics. In addition, share this on social media.