For many MCU fans, the next Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness isn’t just a broader look at Marvel’s vast multiverse, it may be their first look at America Chavez. Played by Xochitl Gomez, the gay teenager is incredibly strong and has the power to jump between universes via star-shaped portals. After his first appearance in 2011 Revenge #1 by writer Joe Casey and artist Nick Dragotta, the character has become a fan favorite over the past decade, appearing in his own short solo comics and team-up books like The Ultimate 2 and Young Avengers.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Casey opened up about the feeling of seeing his creation now catapulted to blockbuster status. Like several other comic creators, he wasn’t really properly compensated financially, outside of his pay rates when he created the character with Dragotta. “Marvel paid me nothing for America Chavez,” Casey said, “not just to appear in the strange doctor sequel, but in many anime TV episodes, for the many action figures they made of her, for the video games she appeared in. Apart from Multiverse, the character appeared in marvel rising cartoon series, and has appeared in recent Marvel video games, including Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2, Contest of Champions, and lego marvel avengers.
Once he learned of Chavez’s future on the big screen, Casey reached out to Marvel for paperwork for that compensation, but said it was a “paltry” offer. A specific figure was not given, but previously it was reported that Marvel would only pay comic book creators US$5,000 ($6,941) to adapt their work into blockbuster movies and TV series. big budget, and would offer creators an invitation to the premiere. As of this writing, Casey hasn’t received a counter offer, and while conversations are still ongoing, he definitely feels like Marvel has blocked him.
For Casey, the problem with Marvel is less about him specifically, and more about the premise of the issue, so the publisher can’t do that to other creators. “If I’m in a position where I can afford not to take their insult from an offer, and be able to talk about it, maybe the next guy – where that kind of money could be life-changing – would get a good deal of getting that money. He’s not bitter and he knows what a problem this has been in the comics industry for decades. (Before 2011 he knew about Marvel’s issues and told himself he wouldn’t create a character for the company, but ultimately “couldn’t resist.”) “It’s not about the money, it’s not even about of respect. I would never expect to be respected by a company.
But he hopes that by shedding more light on the matter, like other comic book creators before him, the comic book publisher will give a better deal to its creators whose content they keep mining. “Marvel owns America Chavez, and that’s unchallenged on any level. But there are still systemic flaws in the way creators aren’t respected or rewarded.”
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on May 6.
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