Latest news with #Shuster
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marvel vs. DC: Superman nominated as 'Ohio's official superhero,' snubs Incredible Hulk's Dayton connections
May 28—A proposal at the Ohio Statehouse would proclaim Superman as the state's official superhero, but DC Comics' "Man of Steel" isn't the only superhero with Ohio connections, including a certain angry green scientist who's from Dayton. Reps. Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon, and Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, are cosponsors of the bill, which would designate Superman as the "official superhero of the state," beginning on April 18, 2033, a year before Superman enters the public domain. "Superman is the first and greatest of superheroes, even though personally I do prefer Batman," said Mathews. "But Superman was created in Cleveland and this summer is a great time to highlight this fact, because the newest movie was filmed primarily in Cleveland and Columbus, highlighting the art deco architecture that's become just as much a character of the DC Universe as Green Arrow, Green Lantern or the others." Ohio isn't the only state to memorialize Superman in some fashion. Kansas — the home of the fictional Smallville, where Clark Kent was raised — inducted Superman into its state Hall of Fame in 2013. Additionally, Metropolis, Illinois, styled as "Super City," hosts the annual Superman Celebration each June. Superman first appeared on the page of Action Comics #1, on April 18, 1938. The character was originally created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, both of whom were born in Cleveland to immigrant Jewish parents. Siegel and Shuster's origins were a major influence on the earliest portrayals of Superman, as were the political and economic conditions of the time, said Jared Whittaker, manager of Super-Fly Comics and Games in Yellow Springs. Superman's earliest adversaries included greedy mine owners, crooked politicians, and labor racketeers. Lex Luthor's first appearance in the comics in 1940 casts him as a war profiteer who wishes to take over the world once Earth's nations have been weakened in conflict. " At the time, you had a very depressed economic state," Whittaker said. "In the very first (issues), Superman is a hero for low-income people. Some of that includes people who are holding common people down." As the world entered World War II, Spiegel and Shuster shifted to portraying Superman as a character that stood up for the defenseless, and even on occasion to Hitler himself, according to the Ohio History Connection. "World War II had a big part in creating fictionalized battles, where the superheroes could go and fight," said Peter Bell, owner of Bell Book and Comic in Dayton. "Captain America was Marvel's symbol of freedom from the Nazis, and so Superman, even though he was not 'American,' but grew up in the US, and he was raised as a US person ... it made sense that Superman was their flagship at the time." Hulk origin story in Dayton Superman, however, isn't the only superhero with connections to Ohio. Bruce Banner, the alter ego of Marvel's The Incredible Hulk, was born in Dayton. Given the choice, Bell said, he would have voted for the Hulk as Ohio's superhero, but "I'm a little biased towards my city," he said. "When Marvel got started, Stan Lee and everybody wrote into our real world," said Bell. "Spider Man's from Queens, Captain America is from New York City too, and they actually used real cities in our country to ground those heroes in our reality. That's one reason why Marvel took off so well, because, 'Oh my gosh, Spider-Man, this is a kid who's just like me.'" The Incredible Hulk was created by the legendary Marvel writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and made his first appearance in his namesake comic in 1962. The series ran for only six issues, but the Hulk went on to appear in other comics, and the Incredible Hulk was relaunched in 1968. Later, in the 80s and 90s, other Marvel writers including Bill Mantlo and Peter David fleshed out Bruce Banner's origins, including establishing his roots as the child of an alcoholic father in Dayton, Ohio. The Hulk returns to Dayton in later issues of the comics, including one where he attempts to infiltrate a facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. As comics matured as a medium, Superman's "truth, justice, and the American way," gave way to darker stories with more complex themes in the broader comic landscape. However, Superman's simplicity makes him the better pick for a symbolic role, said Whittaker. "Superman, for what this is supposed to represent, I guess it's probably better ... being the first superhero, and kind of being this kind of very revered character versus the Hulk. The Hulk isn't bad, but the whole 'gets mad and breaks stuff' thing doesn't really have a lot of the iconic, relatable feel to it," Whittaker said. Other superheroes and comic book characters from Ohio include Black Alice, a teenage superhero from Dayton who appears in Gail Simone's Birds of Prey. Additionally, the cast of Scooby Doo is said to be from the fictional town of Coolsville, Ohio, and secondary character Tommy Glass — appearing in Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque's American Vampire — is from Dayton. "We are excited that Ohio is being shown off. As Superman enters the public domain in 2034, Ohio needs to be prepared to highlight to the whole world that, while the Cleveland native sons of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster have said he was born in Smallville, Kansas, Superman is from Ohio and he's ours," Mathews said.
The South African
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
'Superman' co-creator's files lawsuit to block international release
The estate of Joe Shuster, co-creator of Superman , launched a fresh legal battle to block the international release of James Gunn's highly anticipated Superman reboot. This new lawsuit, filed in New York State Court, targets Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios, seeking to prevent the film's release in key territories. These territories include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and Australia. The estate claims that copyright to Superman reverted to Shuster's heirs in these countries due to their specific copyright laws. These laws differ from those in the United States. This legal tussle is not new. Earlier this year, in January, attorney Marc Toberoff filed a similar suit in federal court on behalf of Shuster's estate. That case was dismissed in April due to jurisdictional issues, but Toberoff has now refiled with the state court. Toberoff is hoping for a different outcome. The New York Supreme Court has ordered Warner Bros. to submit opposition papers by 23 May and scheduled a hearing for 4 June to argue against the injunction. The lawsuit alleges that Warner Bros. has been exploiting Superman's rights without permission or compensation. This is especially so in countries where the rights supposedly reverted to Shuster's estate in 2017 (and in Canada, 2021). The estate is demanding damages and an injunction to stop the film's international rollout unless a licence is obtained. This lawsuit could jeopardise Warner Bros.' global release plans for the movie, which they have scheduled to hit US cinemas on 11 July 2025. Warner Bros. has firmly rejected the claims, stating they 'fundamentally disagree with the merits of the lawsuit'. They are planning to vigorously defend their rights in court. The studio insists that it holds the proper rights to distribute Superman worldwide and that the legal challenge is without merit, according to Pop Verse. This saga is a reminder of how complex copyright laws can impact global entertainment. Warner Bros. plans to proceed with the film's US release as scheduled, but the court's ruling might delay or restrict its international distribution. South African viewers, who often enjoy simultaneous releases with the UK and other Commonwealth countries, may see the film's arrival affected if the injunction succeeds. Marc Toberoff, representing the Shuster estate, said: 'Our position is clear — the rights to Superman in these territories reverted to the estate years ago. We are simply seeking what is rightfully owed.' Meanwhile, a Warner Bros. spokesperson responded. 'We will vigorously defend our rights and ensure fans worldwide can experience this new chapter of Superman.' As the clock ticks down to the movie's release, this legal battle adds a dramatic subplot worthy of the Man of Steel himself. Whether this lawsuit will ground the film's international debut remains uncertain, but it certainly fuels the narrative that Superman's battles extend beyond the screen, now into the courtroom. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Warner Bros fends off Superman copyright lawsuit ahead of new movie
By Blake Brittain Warner Bros. Discovery convinced a U.S. judge to dismiss a lawsuit over rights to the iconic character Superman, lifting a legal headache before the company releases its new "Superman" movie this summer. U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman in New York said on Thursday that his court lacked jurisdiction over the copyright claims brought by the estate of Superman's co-creator, the illustrator Joseph Shuster. The lawsuit against Warner and its DC Comics subsidiary, part of a long-running legal battle over the rights to Superman, had sought damages for the superhero's unauthorized use in the U.K., Canada, Australia and other countries. A Warner spokesperson said the company was pleased with the decision. "As we have consistently maintained, DC controls all rights to Superman," the spokesperson said. The estate's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The estate refiled its lawsuit in New York state court on Friday. Shuster created Superman with writer Jerome Siegel and licensed the character to DC's predecessor Detective Comics. Shuster's estate's lawsuit, filed in January, said that the rights to Superman reverted to the estate under British law in 2017, 25 years after his death. The estate accused Warner of failing to pay royalties to use Superman in countries that follow U.K. law on copyright reversion, which also include India, Israel and Ireland. Furman agreed with Warner on Thursday that the case should be dismissed because it was "brought explicitly under the laws of foreign countries, not the laws of the United States." Warner's new Superman movie, directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet, is scheduled to be released in July. (Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Warner Bros. Wins Dismissal of ‘Superman' Foreign Copyright Suit
A judge has thrown out a lawsuit challenging Warner Bros.' copyright to 'Superman' in 10 countries, finding that the federal courts have no jurisdiction over the dispute. Mark Peary, the nephew of late 'Superman' co-creator Joe Shuster, sued the studio and its DC Comics subsidiary in January, arguing that Shuster's estate had a right to cancel 'Superman' copyrights in the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, and other territories. More from Variety Superman and Krypto the Dog Get Funko Popped Ahead of James Gunn Film 'The Bodyguard' Remake From 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' Director Sam Wrench Set at Warner Bros. Box Office: 'A Minecraft Movie' Builds Big With $58 Million Opening Day - Largest of 2025 In a ruling on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman held that the court has no authority to address the estate's rights under foreign laws. 'The Court concludes that it lacks subject-matter jurisdiction over this case; the case therefore must be and is dismissed,' Furman wrote. Undeterred, Peary filed a nearly identical lawsuit on Friday morning in state court in New York. The state suit seeks an injunction that could, in theory, interfere with the July 11 release of 'Superman,' the franchise reboot directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet. Peary's lawyer, Marc Toberoff, previously sought a federal injunction that would block the film's release in the U.K., Canada, Australia and Ireland unless the Shuster estate were compensated. In throwing out the federal lawsuit, Furman also denied the injunction as moot. The 'Superman' copyright has been the subject of decades of litigation, ever since Shuster and Jerome Siegel created the character and sold it for $130 in 1938. In 2013, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal rejected the Shuster estate's claims, finding that Shuster's sister had signed away all rights after Shuster's death in 1992. Toberoff argued that the 9th Circuit opinion settled the matter with regard to U.S. copyright law, but left the estate's overseas interests unresolved. He argued that under British law, the estate had a right to terminate the copyright in 2017, 25 years after Shuster's death. Toberoff argued that U.S. courts have authority under the Berne Convention, the international copyright treaty, to enforce overseas copyrights. Warner Bros.' attorneys countered that the Berne Convention is unenforceable in federal court. Toberoff has not sought to bring copyright suits in the U.K. or the other territories, which would present various inconveniences. The studio attorneys also argued that the 'Superman' copyright issue has been exhaustively litigated and resolved. The character is due to enter the public domain in 2034. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The 156 dogs removed from an Ogden house are starting to find new homes
The 156 dogs removed from an Ogden house last week are starting to find new homes and owners. The Humane Society of Utah took 45 of the animals from Weber County Animal Services, and as of midday Thursday had found new homes for 22 of the critters. 'People are coming in to adopt,' said Guinn Shuster, director of marketing and communications for the Humane Society, based in Murray. The backstory of the animals — they were found crowded in a home on Jefferson Avenue, repeating a similar episode that happened at the same location in 2012 — seems to have motivated some of the adopters, she said. The Humane Society will still have dogs available in the next week or two, though, she thinks. Meantime, whether the prior owner of the animals, who has not been publicly named, faces repercussions remains to be seen. Ogden police say they've completed their investigation, and representatives from the Ogden City Prosecutor's Office didn't respond to a query on Thursday seeking comment on the matter. The owner was cooperative with authorities when they removed the dogs on April 15 and has relinquished ownership. The remaining 111 dogs will likely be sent to other shelters so they can be put up for adoption, Shuster said, while an adoption event and fundraiser is set for Sunday, April 27, at Scooter's Coffee at 1085 12th St. in Marriott-Slaterville in support of Weber County Animal Services. It will go from 8 a.m. to noon. 'This event isn't just about adoptions, it's about recognizing the shelter's commitment, helping them continue their amazing work and mission, and bringing the community together to say thank you,' said Mark Berger, the Scooter's owner. A statement on the event said that while most of the dogs removed on April 15 aren't yet ready for adoption, 'many other loving dogs and cats are available now.' If they get new homes, it will free up space for Weber Animal Services' ongoing efforts with the influx of canines. Caring for the 156 animals overloaded the shelter's facilities and prompted many workers to do double duty. Melanie Jensen, of the shelter, said the outpouring of support from the community in the wake of the discovery of the dogs has been overwhelming. The shelter particularly needs cat food and other cat items, but welcomes food and things for dogs at Sunday's donation drive. 'Our team and so many volunteers have been working nonstop to care for these animals, and events like this mean so much,' Jensen said. As for the dogs at the Humane Society of Utah in Murray, Shuster said they are all around 10 pounds or less and appear to be poodle and Chihuahua mixes. 'These cuties have been through a lot, and many are a bit nervous about making new friends. They are going to need very special adopters who are willing to work with them and help them to become the best dogs they can be,' reads a Humane Society Facebook post. The Humane Society animals up for adoption are vaccinated and have received medical attention. Some were groomed and 'might have funky haircuts' to deal with hair matting, Shuster said. In 2012, Ogden authorities removed 149 dogs from the same home where the 156 dogs were discovered on April 15.
