Jack Kirby Characters: Avengers, Spider-Man, & X-Men Bring End to Marvel's Estate Settlement!

The estate of comic book legend, Jack Kirby, known for co-creating such popular characters, such as Avengers, Spider-Man, and X-Men, has ended a long feud with Marvel Comics. The estate settlement just comes days before the U.S. Supreme Court would have intervened on the matter. 

Writer Stan Lee co-created the popular Marvel superheroes with Kirby during the 1950s to 1960s. In the dubbed "Marvel Method," Lee came up with dozens of scripts, which were then illustrated by the Silver Surfer creator. Though Lee was a Marvel employee, Kirby was a "work for hire," which meant the artist had no rights to the list of characters that made it to the Hollywood big screen. 

In a joint statement from Marvel and the Kirby heirs, "Marvel and the family of Jack Kirby have amicably resolved their legal disputes and are looking forward to advancing their shared goal of honoring Mr. Kirby's significant role in Marvel's history,"

The Hollywood Reporter mentions that Marvel and the family of Jack Kirby have settled their legal dispute. With the case finally put to an end, the terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. We can only speculate that Kirby's estate got something in return, such as money, the promise of credits, or the return of original art.

This would have been a different turnout if the Supreme Court came onboard. Deadline theorizes Marvel/Disney would have gone into turmoil especially with this summer's hit sci-flick, Guardians Of The Galaxy. The popular Groot character, voiced by Vin Diesel, is also a Kirby creation. 

After a long-running legal battle, the estate of Jack Kirby and Marvel have settled in court. Readers, what do you think of this dispute?