By Special Arrangement with the Jerry Siegel Family

So Superman's original costume was back this week in the non-continuity Adventures of Superman digital comic, and there was much rejoicing.
But wait... what's that credit in the corner?
THAT'S a new one. At first I wondered if the red overwear was back ONLY thanks to a "special arrangement" because the Siegel Family own the rights to the original costume. It would have played into the conspiracy theory that the things phased out of the Superman comics (and before that, the Superboy comics) were to avoid paying some kind of reparation to Jerry Siegel's estate or because the rights were in a legal tangle. The costume, Lois Lane... could it be?

But no, it's not a red pants thing. I checked and the first appearance of that credit is actually in Superman #19:
And that's pantsless as it gets. So just an effect of a recent court decision then...

Comments

Matthew Turnage said…
Yeah, I think that was part of the settlement agreement that the Siegels signed off on a few years back before Toberoff came on the scene and started the litigation up again. For some reason, even though DC argued they already had an agreement in place they weren't complying with all the terms of the agreement during the interim (such as including this notice on all their Superbooks). I think the recent ruling supporting their claim the agreement from a few years ago was enforceable on the Seigel's side made them realize they needed to start living up to their end.

I first noticed it before Superman #19. My collection's not handy for me to check, but I think it was first in either Superboy #19 or Supergirl #19.