MOON KNIGHT Comic Book Artist Says He Hasn't Been Paid For Mr. Knight's Appearance In Disney+ Series

MOON KNIGHT Comic Book Artist Says He Hasn't Been Paid For Mr. Knight's Appearance In Disney+ Series MOON KNIGHT Comic Book Artist Says He Hasn't Been Paid For Mr. Knight's Appearance In Disney+ Series

We've heard an increasing number of complaints about artists not being compensated for their work when characters they've created or designed join the MCU, and Moon Knight's Declan Shalvey is among them.

By JoshWilding - Feb 14, 2022 05:02 AM EST
Filed Under: Moon Knight

In recent years, it's become clear that many comic book writers and artists are unhappy with how they're compensated by Marvel Studios when characters they've created or designed are used on screen. Somewhat complicating the matter is the fact that creators in the industry are paid on a "work-for-hire" basis, meaning they have no ownership over their contributions to the Marvel Universe. 

That does make sense, but you can also understand why these writers and artists would like more than just a mention in the credits (one creator even said they only received $5000 for a movie that grossed $1 billion at the global box office).

Marvel Comics artist Declan Shalvey recently took to social media to express his excitement over the introduction of "Mr. Knight" in the upcoming Moon Knight TV series. However, he'd later respond to fans by confirming he hasn't been paid and isn't expecting to receive any monetary compensation. 

It's also worth noting that Michael Lark was first to draw Moon Knight wearing a suit in the pages of Secret Avengers in 2011. While it's clearly Shalvey's work that has heavily inspired what we'll see in the MCU, this isn't quite as simple as David Aja's recent Hawkeye complaints.

You can see Shalvey's comments in full below, but it appears this will continue to be a controversial topic. Disney and Marvel Studios have yet to issue any sort of statement about this or past complaints.

Moon Knight premieres on Disney+ on March 30.
 

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bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/14/2022, 5:49 AM
Just pay them ffs, I'd sue their ass
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/14/2022, 5:52 AM
@bobevanz - And you would lose.

Marvel and DC own these characters, regardless of who creates them. Writers and artists know ahead of time that anything they do or create is not going to be owned by them.

Does it suck? Yes. But thats what work for hire means. If it isn't in their contract, then they don't own them and have no control over what Marvel or DC does with them.

This is the entire reason why people like Jim Lee and company created Image Comics all those years ago.
Origame
Origame - 2/14/2022, 5:53 AM
@bobevanz - sadly it's not that easy. Basically when you write for marvel your work is by commission, meaning marvel owns everything you write for them, and can do whatever they want with them without needing to pay.
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 2/14/2022, 6:02 AM
@CorndogBurglar - "This is the entire reason why people like Jim Lee and company created Image Comics all those years ago."

And everything worked out great for comic artists and writers ever since... right?
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/14/2022, 6:11 AM
@Spock0Clock - Nope. I didn't say that at all. Image suffered because there were only a few creations from the original Image comics that people liked. WildCats. GEN13. Savage Dragon. There are more. But the point is even those didn't hit it big. So pretty much all those Image guys ended up going back to work for Marvel or DC.

But all of that is besides the point. The point is, a contract is a contract. I think it sucks. But these days, artists and writers should be learning. They should know that anything popular that they do or create will likely end up in a movie or TV show. So they should all be negotiating with that in mind. That doesn't fix the past before these movies became so big. But that can't be changed now. All they can do is move forward.
Unguviolet
Unguviolet - 2/14/2022, 6:11 AM
@bobevanz - "You don't get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate."
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 2/14/2022, 6:30 AM
@CorndogBurglar - (I was being sarcastic, but that didn't stop you from being on point anyway.)
Dapvip
Dapvip - 2/14/2022, 7:42 AM
@Origame - Correction. Marvel has already "compensated" the artist and writers for their contributions while they're under contract. Once that contract is over with, Marvel can do whatever they want with those characters how they see fit, without needing to "recompensate" for past work.

As fans, I think it's time for us to understand that the system is inherently unfair, and it will never change unless these artists are willing to take a stand. They won't because the industry will continue to regurgitate up-coming talent that are willing to sacrifice future earning potential to be able to put food on the table today.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/14/2022, 7:43 AM
@Spock0Clock - Ah, gotcha lol. My bad man. I didn't realize.
Fares
Fares - 2/14/2022, 7:49 AM
@CorndogBurglar - But Image is still running on the "if you make it, you own it" principle right? That how folks like Robert Kirkman are scoring big?
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/14/2022, 8:02 AM
@Fares - Yep. They certainly are.
Fares
Fares - 2/14/2022, 9:25 AM
@CorndogBurglar - I feel like that's a model that should and will gain more popularity in the future, either resurging with Image or whatever company chooses to adopt it. Especially with what feels like the stagnation of mainstream comics and the rise of artist-owned, singular vision comics and of course Manga.
I can only speak for myself, but as I matured in my journey of reading comics, I became more and more disenchanted with the monthly releasing mainstream titles that will never have a conclusion.
Now I mostly look for stories with a forseeable conclusion, no spin-offs, no crossovers, just one writer and one artist sharing their own vision from beginning to end.
Origame
Origame - 2/14/2022, 5:50 AM
Would've thought marvel would've learned after the drama from starlin.

Also shows none of these companies actually care about the comics. If they did, they'd pay the creators.
Blergh
Blergh - 2/14/2022, 5:50 AM
I'm aftaid he won't get paid at all,
I suppose he signed over the rights to all his artworks and designs under his contract with Marvel.
Origame
Origame - 2/14/2022, 5:57 AM
@Blergh - it's at least possible he could get paid if this gets enough attention. One thing is that marvel doesn't want bad pr. Not guaranteed no, but it's at least possible if we make it clear we aren't happy, and potentially boycotting the show might help too.
Kumkani
Kumkani - 2/14/2022, 5:51 AM
It's nice that he's excited for it (at least that's how I read the first tweet), but it's extremely unfortunate that this stuff continues to happen with no consequences whatsoever.
Typhoon20
Typhoon20 - 2/14/2022, 5:52 AM
That's F'd up.

F Disney honestly. They make so much money would it kill them to reward the creators with a small amount.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/14/2022, 5:59 AM
@Typhoon20 - Yes, screw Disney for the work for hire contracts that Marvel and DC have been using since the 1930's...
BigPhilbowski
BigPhilbowski - 2/14/2022, 6:55 AM
@Typhoon20 - he was already rewarded when he was paid for the work back in the day. It's like a builder wanting a cut of the money you make from selling your house in 10 years time.
Fares
Fares - 2/14/2022, 5:56 AM
At least this self-respecting gentlemen was asked about it and didn't come out complaining like a child, but ugh again with this BS? Do contracts not matter anymore? Do you not get what you negotiate for? I agree that credit is something every contributor should get, but wanting monetary compensation outside of the initial agreed upon deal is nuts.
Origame
Origame - 2/14/2022, 6:00 AM
@Fares - you're acting like they should've known that these characters were gonna be adapted like this. Moon knight has been a very niche comic for a long time, which is why you get the character changing so much with each run. It's very reasonable no one knew a moon knight show connected to the mcu was ever a possibility.
Fares
Fares - 2/14/2022, 6:07 AM
@Origame - It's true, you never know what could happen in the future. Knowing the future is actually an unfair advantage for any person to have, especially in the realm of invention. I'd love to know how the future is gonna look like 50 years from now and get working on a startup, but that's not how the world works. In the position they were in, you can either try to be wise enough and haggle for as much rights as you can, even those that are not reasonably expected to come into play later, or you settle for what you signed on for and learn from it when future opportunities come knocking on the door.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/14/2022, 6:08 AM
@Origame - I get where you're coming from. But in this day and age, comic writers and artists need to start negotiating better. Especially knowing that if they create a popular character or make a well received update to a character, that it will lokelybmake it into a movie or show.

Rob Liefeld has made comments about getting paid for the Deadpool movies. What he means by that isn't clear though. Is he paid for the creation of the character, or is he paid because he helped out with the movie in some way, maybe as a consultant?

Either way, a contract is a contract, regardless of what might happen with your creation at a later date. We see things like this happen all the time. Similar to the guy that created The Witcher and then sold all the rights for pocket change. Now he gets nothing all these years later, now that the franchise has hit it big. It's all about foresight. If you are willing to give up your creations then you have to be willing to not get paid for them when they make it big.
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 2/14/2022, 5:57 AM
The lack of recognition for original CB artists rivals that of stuntmen.

Criminally underappreciated.
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 2/14/2022, 5:58 AM
This is pretty much the deal when you work for the big publishers: you're playing with their trademarked toys, so you don't own the product.

By all means, fans should respect and acknowledge the creators. Support their independent work by buying it if you like them. And it'd be nice if the publishers paid them better, too. But if creators obtain any kind of legal ownership of a comic book character, odds are the publishers will just drop the character entirely rather than deal with the headaches and payouts of writers and artists.

The worlds of Marvel and DC are built on a foundation of a century of exploitation. I love those worlds, but they couldn't have been built any other way.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/14/2022, 6:16 AM
@Spock0Clock - This can all be summed in one way:

"If you are willing to give up your creations then you have to be willing to not get paid for them when they make it big."

The creator of the Witcher is a perfect example of this. He sold the rights to The Witcher for pennies on the dollar back when it was just hos novels that existed. Now look at the franchise. And he isn't getting anything for it.
Chappers
Chappers - 2/14/2022, 12:17 PM
@CorndogBurglar - Great example which I also used but I think he actually did get something in the end, they reached a brand new agreement which worked for all but I dont know the details of it. I'm not surprised CDPR did that though considering they will be making more Witcher games

It's tough in these situations, you can't expect a business to go back 30+ years and pay everyone involved with a character in comics during that time
globaltravels
globaltravels - 2/14/2022, 6:01 AM
Why would they expect to be paid? They’ve already BEEN paid. They don’t own the rights to the character and unless there’s a clause in their contract stating they will be paid royalties, Marvel has absolutely no reason to give them more money.
Chappers
Chappers - 2/14/2022, 6:14 AM
@globaltravels - Same situation with The Witcher games, the writer of the books sold the game rights to CDPR but when the 3rd game became so successful he decided to kick off and try to sue them for more money

I understand both sides in this situation, is it shit? yes, but you also can't expect a business to go back and pay more to everyone involved in the last 20-30 years of comics where you may have drew inspiration from
TheManWithoutFear
TheManWithoutFear - 2/14/2022, 6:19 AM
Clickbait at it's finest.

He expresses excitement at seeing his creation on screen and then when asked if he'd like to get paid he responds 'that'd be nice'. Literally anyone would say that when asked.

This article should be taken down honestly.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 2/14/2022, 6:42 AM
Things have been working in a certain way for decades and i guess it should stay like that for all f*cking eternity.
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