"According to multiple sources, when a writer or
artist's work features prominently in a Marvel film, the company's practice is
to send the creator an invitation to the premiere and a check for $5,000,"
The Guardian reports. "Three different sources confirmed this amount to
the Guardian. There's no obligation to attend the premiere, or to use the
$5,000 for travel or accommodation; sources described it as a tacit
acknowledgment that compensation was due."
The report said Jim Starlin, who created Thanos, "negotiated
a bigger payout after arguing that Marvel had underpaid him for its use of
Thanos as the big bad of the MCU." Roy Thomas, who wrote prolifically on
Marvel's X-Men and The Avengers, "got his name added to the credits of
Disney Plus series Loki after his agent made a fuss."
Attention was first brought to the issue in late March, when
comic book writer Ed Brubaker published a newsletter about his "mixed
feelings" when it came to Disney Plus series The Falcon and the Winter
Soldier.
"For the most part all Steve Epting and I have gotten
for creating the Winter Soldier and his storyline is a "thanks" here
or there, and over the years that's become harder and harder to live
with," Brubaker wrote.
Brubaker, who created The Winter Soldier character in 2005
with artist Steve Epting, added that the compensation situation made him feel
"sick to [his] stomach."