AP Story

“People in the News”, Associated Press, January 25, 2002.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) Writer Neil Gaiman, creator of the “Sandman” comic book series, has sued another comic book creator, alleging fraud, copyright violations and nonpayment of royalties.
Gaiman, author of the novel “American Gods,” claims Todd McFarlane used the characters he created “Angela,” “Cogliostro” and “Medieval Spawn” without his authorization.
McFarlane, who created the comic book and animated HBO show “Spawn,” made headlines in 1999 when he paid $3 million for the baseball Mark McGuire hit for his then-record 70th home run in a season.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court also alleges that McFarlane made a wrongful claim to “MiracleMan,” a comic book series Gaiman co-wrote with Alan Moore.
“This suit is not about the money, it’s about respecting the rights of the creator and keeping promises,” Gaiman said in statement released Thursday.
A spokesman for Tempe, Ariz.-based Todd McFarlane Productions Inc. did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.
Marvels and Miracles, a Wisconsin company, also is a plaintiff in the lawsuit. The company owns the “MiracleMan” rights of Gaiman, Moore and illustrator Mark Buckingham, the original artist on the “MiracleMan” comic books.