Dynamite Entertainment sued over 'Tarzan', 'John Carter'

Dynamite Entertainment is being sued by Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc over the use of its characters.

The complaint, which also involves collectibles maker Dynamic Forces, focuses on the publisher's Lord of the Jungle and Warlord of Mars titles, with the family-owned firm claiming trademark infringement and unfair competition.

Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc, now under the jurisdiction of the author's grandchildren, alleges that the comics were published without permission after Dynamite president Nick Barrucci learned Dark Horse Comics holds the rights to Tarzan and John Carter of Mars novels.

The company claims that Dynamite's titles will "deceive, mislead and confuse the public" and cause "irreparable injury" to Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. It also took issue with the content of the comics, referring to the artwork as "risque nude" and "pornographic".

Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc holds the copyright to Tarzan and John Carter of Mars, as well as the common law rights to several terms associated with recent Dynamite works. While Burroughs's earlier works have become public domain in the US, they remain protected in the UK.

The lawsuit is seeking the recall of comics distributed in the UK, and profits from the "infringing" works, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Dynamite is yet to respond to the allegations.