Hulk Hogan Wins $35 Million Infringement Lawsuit Against Marvel Comics

Hulk Hogan is perhaps the most iconic professional wrestler of all time.

Hulk Hogan wins court case against Marvel Comics.Photo bythe author (licensed under CC BY 2.0)

His bronzed skin, hulking frame, and signature bandana/handlebar mustache combination entertained 'Hulkamania' fans around the world throughout his storied career.

Spanning over 3 decades, the now 70-year-old superstar, Terry Bollea, has competed in almost every major organization. From WWF to WWE to venturing into unfriendly territory and having his leg intentionally broken, in NJPW, in Japan.

But, perhaps more iconic than Hulk's career is... well, his name.

On an episode of This Past Weekend, Hulk recounts the story of going head-to-head with Marvel comics over the use of the name 'Hulk'. Speaking to host, Theo Von, Hulk explains the original deal Marvel struck with Hulk and WWF owner, Vince McMahon Jr.:

"Right when this Hulk Hogan thing takes off, we get a call from Marvel Comics. [Quoting legal jargon]: 'You're infringing on our mark, reasonably similar, etc.'... So, we went ahead and let them have the name... I only had to pay them one-tenth of 1%."

This was in reference to the Hulk comic book character, from the Marvel universe.

This original deal spanned from 1985-2005, throughout Hulk's iconic rise to superstardom. But, in 2005, the deal ended. And, in order for Hulk to continue using his famous moniker, he had to strike a new deal with Marvel.

"So what happened was, I got a one-year extension and I had to pay them 30% of everything I made. Movies, TV, wrestling, they get 30% of everything."

An egregious amount at the time, considering how profitable the Hulk Hogan name had become, the deal came with one saving grace. A stipulation for Marvel to allow Hulk and Vince McMahon to buy the name back at fair market value -- if they ever decided to sell the rights.

During this time, Marvel and the now WWE were in a legal battle over the intellectual property of Hulk's wrestling matches, with Marvel wanting old matches to be banned from airing on television. In the end, Marvel lost the court proceedings and was ordered to pay the WWE approximately $35 million.

Not wanting to pay the large sum, Marvel offered an alternative. They would sell the rights to Hulkamania and everything that came with it at fair market value. Which, at the time, was around $750,000.

"Vince wanted to buy the name back for me but I said, 'Nah, I got this one.'... So, I bought the name back and now I own everything."

Hey, I'm Hudson! I write about social media, marketing, and modern entrepreneurship. Hit follow for more stories like this one.