The legal battle between Marvel and the estate of Steve Ditko regarding the rights to Spider-Man and Doctor Strange appears to be nearing its conclusion. Attorneys representing both parties have informed the court that they have reached a mutually satisfactory settlement. They expect to file a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice in the coming weeks.
This dispute began in 2021 when Marvel received copyright termination notices from Larry Lieber and the estates of Gene Colan, Steve Ditko, Don Heck, and Don Rico. Several characters, including Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Hulk, and Thor, were involved in these lawsuits. By June, all but one of the cases had been resolved.
The final disagreement revolved around the rights of Ditko’s heirs, who played a significant role in creating Spider-Man and Doctor Strange. The estate sought to regain control over comics such as Amazing Fantasy (which featured Spider-Man’s debut in 1962) and Strange Tales (which marked Doctor Strange’s first appearance in 1963). The termination notices also encompassed any associated characters, story elements, or indicia related to these works.
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