Wolverine ABCs Cover Art by Sean Gordon Murphy (2010) - Cease & Desist!
Artist: Sean Murphy (All)
5 Comments - 1,328 Views - 4 Likes
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Wolverine ABCs
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Artwork Details
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DescriptionWolverine ABCs cover artby Sean Gordon Murphy I first discovered Sean's work on DeviantArt with his "Wolverine ABC's" posts. Periodically Sean posted a new piece featuring Wolverine and related characters beautifully inked, colored and positioned as the next letter in the alphabet. At the end Sean collected all 26 pieces in a small, softcover book. Sean printed around 200 of these books in 2010 primarily to give to editors and industry friends and sold the remaining 40 copies to a few lucky fans at conventions. I was lucky enough to be one of them. Sean signed this cover at the New York Comic Con October 6th, 2022. This piece holds an interesting place in comic history and I am excited to post this in my collection. Sean printed up this book right around the time Gary Friedrich was dealing with the high profile and highly debated Ghost Rider lawsuit with Marvel Comics, which raised issues around ownership as well as printing sketchbooks, posters, etc of Marvel-owned content. Sean was directly impacted and reacted with the following post: Last year I drew the Wolverine ABCs. When it was done, I printed out around 200 sketchbooks of them to hand out to industry friends. I knew enough about copyright law to know that I was in the gray area, even though they were only meant to be given away as gifts. I also gave them to people and editors who worked at Marvel–clearly I wasn’t trying to hide what I’d created. Because I was a pro and because I wasn’t selling them, I figured I’d be fine. After three conventions of EVERYONE telling me I should sell them, I broke down and sold some. At the last show that season, I sold the remaining 40 copies or so. Then Marvel called. I explained that I didn’t have a warehouse of sketchbooks, I only made around 200 (or close to that) and mostly I gave them away. I explained how none of the Marvel editors complained when I handed them one, and my lack of hiding the ABCs should show the innocent nature of my endeavor. I even offered to sign a Cease and Desist, and pay them the money I made selling the last 40. But Marvel wanted the rights to the ABCs–they wanted to own them and pay me nothing. I wasn’t willing to do that, so I got a lawyer. And we eventually came together and agreed to drop the subject if I simply removed them from my site and promised not to make any more sketchbooks. I was in the wrong. I really can’t be angry at Marvel for their actions. They were in the right, even though some things at conventions are tolerated, it’s still technically wrong. My mistake was being a higher-profile artist and making a themed book out of Marvel characters. I was surprised that it led to the threat of legal action, but it’s not my call to make. I apologized to Marvel up and down, and I still feel incredibly stupid for what I did. To be clear, I support Marvel’s decision and I’m happy we worked out an arrangement. I bear them no ill will, and am only telling this story to outline the rights of both the creator and the corporation. I’m not trying to be provocative, only trying to help illustrate what creators need to do to protect themselves. Because I honestly believe that corporations don’t want to go after creators, because it makes them the bad guy. Which they’re often not. My mistake was thinking that it was no big deal … because most people in comics don’t think it’s a big deal. But most people haven’t dealt with Marvel like I have, and that’s what fueled my involvement in this entire issue. Additional links: comicbookinvest.com (2015/02/11) bleedingcool.com (2012/02/19) robot6.comicbookresources.com (2012/02) comicsalliance.com comicbookinvest.com (2015/02/11) Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Matt C
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 4/29/2017
I remember Sean's post on this subject very well. Very cool and rare pickup!
George H 
Member Since 2009
Posted on 4/30/2017
Matt C wrote:
I remember Sean's post on this subject very well. Very cool and rare pickup!This was a memorable one for me as well. Thanks!
Frederic Lorge
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 5/18/2017
Who could have thought at the time that Wolverine would become a teacher ?
George H
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 5/19/2017
Frederic Lorge wrote:
Who could have thought at the time that Wolverine would become a teacher ?Ha! So true. It was some nice foreshadowing to the Wolverine and the X-men issues that followed.
Tyler T
Member Since 2020
Posted on 1/7/2025
The story completely adds to this piece and makes it a part of comics history.
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