Comic News Trifecta: Walking Dead, Buffy, and Marvel Being Assholes

?? Original Walking Dead artist Tony Moore is suing Robert Kirkman for compensation for the Walking Dead TV series and its merchandise, specifically because he’s not getting any. Moore says he was “duped” into signing over his WD interest to Kirkman. I don’t know the particulars here, so I’ll refrain from comment (for once), but apparently Moore and Kirkman were friends from childhood, so it’s all just kind of sad. (Via Newsarama)

? Buffy just got herself knocked up in the Buffy the Vampire Season 9 comics at Dark Horse. This would be more noteworthy if it hadn’t been blown completely away by the news that Buffy also announced she’d be getting an abortion in the latest issue. Yeah, this’ll go smoothly. Feel free to freak out over the news, but not the politics, in the comments. If you can. (Via USA Today)

? I’m not going to put this one better than “Starman” Matt Morrison, who brought it to my attention:

1. The guy who created the demonic, biker version of Ghost Rider for Marvel asked if they’d credit him and give him a slice of the pie when they put out the Ghost Rider movie.
2. Marvel said “Ha-ha! You’re funny.”
3. Creator took Marvel to court.
4. Marvel counter-sued, won and is now trying to take away said creator’s last source of income and deny him the right to sell Ghost Rider merchandise or ever promote himself as having created Ghost Rider.

The judge ruled Gary Friedrich owes Marvel $17,000 for all the Ghost Rider things he’s sold at cons over the year, mainly sketches and signatures. Note that attending cons and selling these things is Friedrich’s main source of income. Note also that this is happening one week before the second major motion picture starring Friedrich’s incarnation of Ghost Rider is released, which even if critically panned will undoubtedly earn Marvel tens of millions of dollars.

Look, maybe Friedrich had no legal right to getting his name on the movie, or any of the film’s profits. But to go after Friedrich’s very limited funds in return? $17,000, a drop in the bucket to a company owned by Disney? A week before a Ghost Rider movie comes out? That’s fucking evil. Well done, Marvel — you’ve finally done something more mercenary and awful than Before Watchmen. I hope you’re happy. (Via CBR)