Who will judge the worth of Superman?

DC Comics' Superman.  Art by Alex Ross

On Wednesday, July 8th, Judge Stephen G. Larson of the United States District Court in Los Angeles issued his ruling on a lawsuit between Warner Brothers and the heirs of the Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel concerning the rights to the character and likeness of Superman. The initial verdict claimed that while the Siegel family can continue their legal battles against Time-Warner subsidiary DC Comics, sister company Warner Brothers pictures has done nothing strictly illegal, and is beyond their reach.

The full verdict, however, is somewhat murkier, as Judge Larson’s decision was a 30-page tome that outlined the creation of a team of experts who could cut through the hyperbole of each side and decide impartially what is the current value of the Superman franchise. Specifically, Judge Larson ordered that:

"The Court envisions that the Court-appointed special master/expert will not only submit a report in advance of trial, be subject to being deposed prior to trial, and proffer testimony at trial on the issues in question, but will also, in preparing for such tasks, be afforded the authority to appoint experts and other specialists to assist him or her in performing those duties.

"The Court provides the parties an initial opportunity to stipulate amongst themselves who the said special master/court-appointed expert should be, subject to Court approval. Any such stipulation shall be submitted to the Court on or before July 31, 2009."

Who might these experts be? A possible “dream-team” lineup would necessarily include experts on comic books, film, television, licensing, and copyright law. Here is one suggested list:
 

Comics legend Stan Lee.  
photo from Pow! Entertainment 

Stan Lee:     Although he was the driving force behind DC’s major competitor, Marvel comics, for many years, Stan has worked for DC in his semi-retirement, most notably on the 2001-2002 Just Imagine… line of comics that re-envisioned many of DC’s core heroes. He is also an advocate for creators’ rights and no stranger to the courts, having won a 2005 lawsuit against Marvel for more than $10 million in unpaid profits from films based on characters he helped create.

• Stan Lee's current enterprise, Pow! Entertainment

Neil Gaiman photo by Kimberly Butler

Neil Gaiman:     Author of science fiction and fantasy short stories and novels, graphic novels, comics, and films, Gaiman himself is a noted proponent of creators’ rights. He is major supporter and board member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. He has, however, also produced some of his most acclaimed work for DC Comics.

• Neil's online journal and website

Robert Osborne,
host of Turner Classic Movies 

Robert Osborne:     Osborne is the silver-haired film historian and columnist best known as the host of the Turner Classic Movies network. If anyone could attest to the strength or weakness of Superman’s cinematic franchise, it would be him.…

• Check out Robert Osborne at TCM.

Film maven Leonard Maltin
photo from leonardmaltin.com

Leonard Maltin: —Or possibly this man. Incomparable film critic, film historian, and author, Maltin holds the Guinness World Record for the briefest movie review ever written. In his 44-year career the man has probably forgotten more about films than many of us will ever know.

• See for yourself at Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy.

This possible panel of pop-culture gurus could certainly settle the debate over the Man of Steel, his continuing legacy, and monetary worth. But regardless of whoever WB and the Siegels agree upon, they had better do it quickly. That July 31st deadline will be here before they know it.