Neil Gaiman, Todd McFarlane, Medieval Spawn, Angela, and a Legal Battle

In 1993 beloved fantasy and sci/fi writer Neil Gaiman wrote an issue of Spawn (#9) that featured Medieval Spawn and a character named Angela. In the years since, Todd McFarlane, Spawn's creator, has continued to use the characters, and derived characters from Gaiman's creations but hasn't given further payment to Gaiman for their use. In 2004 Gaiman won rights to Angela and just recently won a suit that awarded him part ownership in the three derived characters.

The best part of the whole ordeal is the judge's explanation of the ruling.

Tiffany and Domina are visually similar to Angela and share her same basic traits. All three are warrior angels with voluptuous physiques, long hair and mask-like eye makeup. all three wear battle uniforms consisting of thong bikinis, garters, wide weapon belts, elbow-length gloves and ill-fitting armor bras.

Ha!

Oh, and back in 93, when I was 12, and Angela had her first appearance in Spawn #9, I had two copies of the issue, one to read, and one to collect. God, I was a sucker.

via The A.V. Club.