Marvel settles with family of superhero creator

NEW YORK (AP) — Marvel has settled a lawsuit bound for the Supreme Court that pitted the comic-book company against the family of the artist who helped create such iconic superheros as Spider-Man, Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk.

Heirs of Jack Kirby, who worked at Marvel alongside Stan Lee in the 1960s and died in 1994, wanted to terminate Marvel's copyrights from 2014 through 2019 to comics published from 1958 to 1963. But Marvel argued that since Kirby created the characters while working for Marvel, the characters belong to the company.

After a series of setbacks, the family had been prepared to take the case to the Supreme Court. But both sides announced Friday they had reached a settlement. Terms were not disclosed.

Marvel Worldwide Inc. is owned by The Walt Disney Co.