The new "Ghost Rider" movie's ticket sales aren't hot, but the controversy raging in the comic-book community is an inferno.

The story begins in 1972, when the flaming cyclist was created at Marvel Comics by writer Mike Friedrich, editor Roy Thomas and artist Mike Ploog. Comics creators in those days -- and often today -- don't own anything they create for the major publishers, because of a contract called "work for hire." But when the first "Ghost Rider" movie came out in 2007, Friedrich sued Marvel for partial ownership of the character on a technicality -- which would result in a windfall from the movie.

He desperately needed the money. Friedrich, now 69, is unemployed, broke and suffering from a liver ailment. He has been making ends meet by selling signed "Ghost Rider" items at conventions as a paid guest, which according to documents amounted to a total of $17,000.

But ownership of trademark and copyright isn't something that comics publishers take lightly. Both of the major comics publishers make more money from licensing their library of characters than they do selling comic books. Here's the real bugaboo: According to U.S. law, failure to defend a trademark can lead to losing it.

So Marvel -- and parent company Disney -- went after the lawsuit with their own heads on fire, including a countersuit demanding the $17,000. They won. In December, the court threw out Friedrich's suit and ordered him to pay Marvel. Also, his future income was constrained, in that he can sign and sell only "Ghost Rider" material that he buys retail.

The creative and fan community responded. Blogs across the Internet excoriated Marvel, or started petitions for the $17,000 to be forgiven. Steve Niles, creator of "30 Days of Night," led a charge on Twitter and set up a Facebook page for contributions (www.steveniles.com/gary.html). Creators such as Gail Simone ("Batgirl") and Jill Thompson ("Scary Godmother") tweeted encouragement. Longtime creators'-rights champion Neal Adams was one of many who auctioned original art, with proceeds going to Friedrich.

Naturally, there were calls to boycott the new film, "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance." That might have led to the film's disappointing third-place finish on its opening weekend, with $22 million at the box office.

But even if the movie did well, it would still be overshadowed by the story behind the story -- comics creators and fans rising up like a tidal wave to help one of their own.

It's the best superhero story in years.

Go to the "Support Gary Friedrich" Facebook page (www.facebook.com/supportgaryfriedrich) for more.