Comic book writer Stan Lee shockingly sued Marvel in 2002 after he accused the company of not paying its dues properly following the usage of his characters.

Perhaps the most famous name synonymous with Marvel Comics is Stan Lee, the great comic book writer and publisher notable for bringing to life the stories of Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, and X-Men. His passing in 2018 left a huge dent in the industry, and fans continue to celebrate his life and legacy by supporting the business he helped establish.

Stan Lee via Hollywood TV / Credits: YouTube

He rose to the ranks as the face of Marvel, and with this responsibility, he expected to receive proper compensation. After all, it’s a very demanding job to always be in the spotlight, attending events and holding interviews. At one point, he and the company went through a rocky patch.

Why Stan Lee filed a case against Marvel

In 2002, Stan Lee’s lawsuit against Marvel made the headlines after he accused the company of not paying him about $20 million. He made a lot of profit from creating X-Men and Spider-Man, and he wanted the enterprise to keep its end of the bargain. He had no malice intentions, although Marvel somewhat misread the allegation as a shameful scheme and lacking in merit.

As per the Dallas Observer, Lee’s contract in 1998 stated that he would make $1 million a year for working 10 to 15 hours a week, including being the face and spokesperson of Marvel. He asserted that he gave 50 interviews following the premiere of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movie. The agreement also stated that he would receive 10 percent in profit made by films and TV shows that featured Marvel characters.

Stan Lee in Avengers: Age of Ultron / Credits: Marvel Studios

The late publisher said that the press misinterpreted his action of suing the company.

People have written it’s like the Colonel suing Kentucky Fried Chicken. It feels funny, but I don’t see it as a lawsuit as much as trying to get to the bottom of what the contract really means, what those words mean.

He was no longer attached to the characters he created. They were important to him, but he admitted that Marvel already owned them, and it did not feel like suing his own children.

In 2005, Marvel announced it had reached a financial settlement with its most famous employee after a lengthy battle, and the judge presiding over the case ruled in Lee’s favor.

Stan Lee’s lawsuit surprisingly set Marvel’s plans in motion

Stan Lee in Captain America: Civil War / Credits: Marvel Studios

Despite the controversy and the financial loss, the lawsuit created wonders for Marvel. The company had a shift in its policies to produce its own films. Since the 1960s, the comic book enterprise always sought other production companies to license its characters for movie and television shows. Ultimately, it gave Marvel full control over its products.

Still, Lee’s death remains one of the biggest losses in the comics industry. He may have had a tumultuous experience with the business side of it, but he loved his co-workers and the company. The lawsuit was merely a reminder of what Marvel had promised to him in the beginning.