The latest trailer for Venom: The Last Dance surprised fans with the appearance of Knull, the god of darkness who created the alien symbiotes. While Knull’s introduction has Marvel fans excited, it also reignited a long-standing debate in the comic book industry: Should comic creators be compensated when their characters make the leap to the big screen?
Knull’s creators, Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman, were just as surprised as the fans when the trailer dropped. Stegman, who drew Venom Vol. 4 #3, where Knull made his first official appearance, took to X (formerly Twitter) with humor but also raised eyebrows when he said, “Yes, I did co-create Knull. No, I didn’t know until today that he was gonna be in Venom: The Last Dance... Yes, I do expect to finally be able to afford that lazy river moat around my house."
Cates, who wrote the comic series, also chimed in with a joke, tweeting an image that simply said “MONEY” with the caption “lol.” While their reactions were lighthearted, it raises a serious question: Should comic creators be financially rewarded when their creations are adapted into massive Hollywood blockbusters?
The issue of compensating comic creators is not new, but it’s become more pressing as comic book movies dominate the global box office. While films like Avengers: Endgame rake in billions, the creators behind the characters often see little to no financial benefit from their work being adapted.
Marvel’s track record on compensating creators has been mixed. Jim Starlin, who created Thanos, had a very public battle with Marvel over the use of his character in the Avengers films. Starlin eventually received a payout, but only after the issue went public. The fact that Stegman and Cates were unaware of Knull’s inclusion in the film until the trailer’s release suggests that comic creators still aren’t always in the loop when their characters make the jump from page to screen.
In contrast, Marvel legend Stan Lee, who co-created many of the company’s most iconic heroes, was a notable exception. Thanks to his legendary status and executive role, he received ample recognition (and compensation) for his contributions to the Marvel Universe. Unfortunately, this level of compensation is far from the norm for most creators.
At the heart of the issue is whether comic creators should receive royalties when their characters or stories are adapted into films, TV shows, or merchandise. In many cases, the contracts signed between creators and publishers like Marvel or DC give ownership of the characters to the company, leaving creators with little say or financial stake in their future adaptations.
However, some argue that without the writers and artists who bring these characters to life, there would be no billion-dollar film franchises. It’s not just about money—it’s about recognition and respect for the creative minds that fuel these stories. The fact that Cates and Stegman didn’t even know about Knull’s inclusion in the new Venom film highlights how detached creators can be from the process once Hollywood gets involved.
One question lingering around Venom: The Last Dance is whether Sony, the studio behind the Venom films, will handle compensation any differently from Marvel. Since Sony owns the film rights to Venom, the situation could be more complex than the typical Marvel Studios release. If Sony chooses to compensate Cates and Stegman fairly for their creation of Knull, it could set a positive precedent for other creators.
