2002 Comic Book News Archives
March 8, 2002: DC Comics Sues Wella Corp.
Superman Tarnished by Kryptonite Hair Gel - LawsuitNEW YORK (Reuters) - The Superman trademark will lose its power if hair-care company Wella Corp. keeps selling its glowing green styling gel under the name Kryptonite, DC Comics alleged in a lawsuit on Wednesday.
Manhattan-based DC Comics, one of the best known publishers of comic magazines, alleged Wella's use of the fictitious radioactive rock on its label is "usurping ... the commercial magnetism of Superman" and tarnishing the Kryptonite trademark.
Because Kryptonite gel appeared with a "TM" symbol the public might think there is an association between the gel and the character, giving Wella an unfair benefit from Superman's fame, the lawsuit alleged.
The suit, filed in Manhattan federal court, seeks unspecified damages and a ruling stopping the Woodland Hills, California, company from using the name of the pretend material on any of its hair-care products. The suit also names Wella Corp.'s parent, Wella AG, as a defendant.
DC Comics says Kryptonite, usually depicted as a glowing green substance, holds a particularly prominent place in the character's myth and is immediately recognized by the public.
"As is undoubtedly well-known throughout the world, DC coined the term Kryptonite to represent an element from Superman's home planet, Krypton," the suit said adding that the word was first used in a 1943 Superman radio episode.
"While Superman is virtually invulnerable and can withstand such things as a hail of bullets, he is helpless in the face of Kryptonite radiation," the suit said.
In addition to using the name and color of Kryptonite, Wella classifies the hair gel as "their hair gel product with the strongest hold," the suit alleged.
It said DC Comics became aware of the product in February and sent a letter of protest to Wella, demanding the company stop making and shipping the product. It alleged Wella refused.
A Wella spokesman could not be reached for comment.
2002 Comic News
Listed below are all the Comic News items archived for 2002.- January 3, 2002: Wizard Fan Awards Nominees
- January 8, 2002: New Look for Superman Books
- January 8, 2002: Casey Talks “Adventures of Superman”
- January 11, 2002: Alex Ross Interview
- January 13, 2002: John Buscema Dies
- January 16, 2002: Superman & Savage Dragon
- January 17, 2002: DC Comics Launches 9-11 Mini-Site
- January 18, 2002: Superman Homepage in “Superman #178”
- January 22, 2002: Dan Slott Talks Justice League Adventures
- January 26, 2002: Kurt Schaffenberger Dies
- January 26, 2002: “First Time” for DC Characters
- February 5, 2002: Jeph Loeb Talks Superman - The Secret Revealed
- February 5, 2002: Derec Aucoin Joins Superman Team - Update
- February 7, 2002: New DC Comics President
- February 23, 2002: Paul Levitz Talks “Smallville” Comic Book
- February 26, 2002: Wagner Talks DC Project
- March 5, 2002: Superboy Cancelled!
- March 8, 2002: DC Comics Sues Wella Corp.
- March 9, 2002: New Monthly Superman/Batman Comic!!!
- March 12, 2002: Comics and the Internet
- March 13, 2002: MAD Magazine “Smallville” Issue
- March 14, 2002: Mark Schultz Talks Superman
- March 24, 2002: Berganza Talks Smallville Comic Stories
- April 4, 2002: Bogdanove talks “Superman/Aliens II: GodWar”
- April 11, 2002: SCI FI Joins Free Comic Day
- April 14, 2002: JLA to go Bi-Weekly in August
- April 17, 2002: Daily Planet Crew in Marvel Comic
- April 20, 2002: Mark Millar Talks Superman
- April 21, 2002: DC Comics at WonderCon
- May 9, 2002: The JLA's Obsidian Age
- May 10, 2002: The Physics Behind Comic Books
- May 20, 2002: Superman Comics = Real Life
- May 27, 2002: “Sorry!” Says Superman Editor Eddie Berganza
- May 28, 2002: New Superman Comics Creative Team
- June 7, 2002: Doug Hazlewood Interview and Gallery
- June 16, 2002: “Smallville: The Comic”
- June 19, 2002: Superman's “Ending Battle” in September
- June 20, 2002: Steve Seagle Talks Superman
- July 6, 2002: Superman's “Day of Doom”
- July 7, 2002: Waid Talks “Superman: Birthright”
- July 7, 2002: Superman's Costume Change
- July 7, 2002: No More Superman Comics in Brazil
- July 22, 2002: San Diego Comic Con 2002 Information
- August 4, 2002: Seagle Talks Superman at San Diego Comic Con
- August 8, 2002: Nicolas Cage Selling His Comic Collection!
- August 15, 2002: JLA With Alex Ross and Paul Dini
- September 11, 2002: Superman Comics Back in Brazil
- September 15, 2002: Tom Derenick Draws Superman
- September 19, 2002: Superman 10 Cent Adventure
- September 22, 2002: Man of Steel Cancelled!
- September 22, 2002: Forbes Rates Richest Fictional Characters
- September 25, 2002: Mark Waid Sets the Record Straight
- September 29, 2002: 12-Part “Superman: Metropolis” Series
- October 14, 2002: Nicolas Cage Sells Comic Books for US$1.6 Million
- October 15, 2002: Duncan Rouleau Interview
- November 4, 2002: Berganza Talks Superman in 2003
- November 12, 2002: DC Comics for 2003
- November 14, 2002: Kurt Busiek Talks Superman
- November 15, 2002: Pantheon Books to Publish Alex Ross Book
- November 26, 2002: Nicolas Cage To Sell More Comics
- November 26, 2002: Tom Palmer Talks “Smallville” Comic Books
- November 27, 2002: Superman Comics Return to Brazil
- December 1, 2002: Casey Talks “Adventures of Superman”
- December 4, 2002: Kelly Talks “Action Comics” #800
- December 5, 2002: Joe Kelly Talks New JLA Lineup
- December 11, 2002: Steve Gerber Talks “Superman: Last Stand on Earth”
- December 19, 2002: Supergirl Cancelled!
- December 21, 2002: Eddie Berganza Promoted to Group Editor!
- December 27, 2002: Cavalieri Talks “Superman: Secret Identity”
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