Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway
Encyclopedia
Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway is a fictional law firm featured in the pages of the She-Hulk
comic books - named after Marvel Founders Martin Goodman
, Stan Lee
, under his birth name Stanley Lieber, and Jack Kirby
, using his birth name Jacob Kurtzberg - published by Marvel Comics
. Created by Dan Slott
, senior GLK&H law partner Holden Holliway first appeared in She-Hulk #1 (May 2004), where he hired the titular heroine to be a lawyer for his law firm, but as Jennifer Walters.
As a law firm specializing in superhuman law, they represent superhumans whenever they need any sort of legal help. These cases can run from libel lawsuits (such as the one launched by Spider-Man
against J. Jonah Jameson
in She-Hulk #4) to defending superheroes from damages (such as in She-Hulk #10, where The Constrictor
sued Hercules
for $168,000,000). Their legal cases also run into the outer-worldly territory, such as across time, space, and the mortal plane.
To help with legal precedents, actual Marvel Comics (especially those published with the approval of the Comics Code Authority
) are routinely cited as legal documents. As a result, their library basement consists entirely of comic books, although they were forced to change over to trade paperbacks
when the law offices were destroyed in She-Hulk #11 (March 2005).
Initially representing heroes, the law firm began representing villains, which leads to some conflicts of interest, considering Jennifer Walters's status as a superheroine.
In She-Hulk #21 (2007), the firm name becomes Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Book.
The main offices of the firm are in Timely Plaza (a reference to Timely Comics
) in New York City, which, according to Dan Slott
, is near the New York Supreme Court
.
She-Hulk
She-Hulk is a Marvel Comics superheroine. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1 ....
comic books - named after Marvel Founders Martin Goodman
Martin Goodman
Martin Goodman may refer to:*Martin Goodman , American publisher of pulp magazines, paperback books and comic books*Martin Goodman , British historian*Martin J. Goodman, British author and journalist...
, Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
, under his birth name Stanley Lieber, and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
, using his birth name Jacob Kurtzberg - published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. Created by Dan Slott
Dan Slott
Dan Slott is an American comic book writer best known for The Amazing Spider-Man, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell and She-Hulk. He is the current writer of the twice monthly The Amazing Spider-Man.-Early writing:...
, senior GLK&H law partner Holden Holliway first appeared in She-Hulk #1 (May 2004), where he hired the titular heroine to be a lawyer for his law firm, but as Jennifer Walters.
As a law firm specializing in superhuman law, they represent superhumans whenever they need any sort of legal help. These cases can run from libel lawsuits (such as the one launched by Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
against J. Jonah Jameson
J. Jonah Jameson
John Jonah Jameson Junior is a supporting character of Spider-Man in the .Jameson is usually the publisher or editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, a fictional New York newspaper and now serves as the mayor of New York City...
in She-Hulk #4) to defending superheroes from damages (such as in She-Hulk #10, where The Constrictor
Constrictor (comics)
Constrictor is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. The character is primarily a supervillain, but is often portrayed as a redeeming anti-hero. Constrictor first appeared in Incredible Hulk vol.1 #212 and was created by Len Wein and Sal Buscema.-Publication history:Constrictor...
sued Hercules
Hercules (comics)
Hercules, or Heracles, in comics, may refer to:* Hercules , a long-running Marvel character** Hercules, a trainee member of The Order.* Hercules , a DC Comics character...
for $168,000,000). Their legal cases also run into the outer-worldly territory, such as across time, space, and the mortal plane.
To help with legal precedents, actual Marvel Comics (especially those published with the approval of the Comics Code Authority
Comics Code Authority
The Comics Code Authority was a body created as part of the Comics Magazine Association of America, as a tool for the comics-publishing industry to self-regulate the content of comic books in the United States. Member publishers submitted comic books to the CCA, which screened them for adherence to...
) are routinely cited as legal documents. As a result, their library basement consists entirely of comic books, although they were forced to change over to trade paperbacks
Trade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
when the law offices were destroyed in She-Hulk #11 (March 2005).
Initially representing heroes, the law firm began representing villains, which leads to some conflicts of interest, considering Jennifer Walters's status as a superheroine.
In She-Hulk #21 (2007), the firm name becomes Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Book.
The main offices of the firm are in Timely Plaza (a reference to Timely Comics
Timely Comics
Timely Comics, an imprint of Timely Publications, was the earliest comic book arm of American publisher Martin Goodman, and the entity that would evolve by the 1960s to become Marvel Comics....
) in New York City, which, according to Dan Slott
Dan Slott
Dan Slott is an American comic book writer best known for The Amazing Spider-Man, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell and She-Hulk. He is the current writer of the twice monthly The Amazing Spider-Man.-Early writing:...
, is near the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
.
Personnel Roster
- Goodman, Lieber, and Kurtzberg (first names all unknown), the first three senior law partners of GLK&H. Their names are based on founding members of Marvel Comics, namely Martin GoodmanMartin Goodman (publisher)Martin Goodman born on was an American publisher of pulp magazines, paperback books, men's adventure magazines, and comic books, launching the company that would become Marvel Comics....
(the first publisher at Marvel), Stan LeeStan LeeStan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
(born Stanley Lieber), and Jack KirbyJack KirbyJack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
(born Jacob Kurtzberg). - Holden Holliway. The only regularly seen partner at GLK&H. He is currently on sabbatical while he tracks down his delinquent granddaughter, Sasha Martin (a.k.a. the teen supervillain, SouthpawSouthpaw (comics)Southpaw is a fictional character that first appeared in the Marvel comic She-Hulk. She is Holden Holliway's granddaughter and in the custody of She-Hulk ....
). - Jennifer Walters, also known as She-Hulk, she was recruited at GLK&H due to her experience in the superhuman community. As Holliway hired Jennifer Walters (as opposed to She-Hulk), one of the terms of her employment is that she comes to work in her normal form, a policy that has since been relaxed with Arthur Zix in charge. Now he's gone and after a brief leave she is back on the payroll.
- Arthur Zix. The mysterious lawyer who first appeared in the second She-Hulk series, he is left in charge at GLK&H while Holliway is on sabbatical. He has a much more relaxed approach to law and allows Jennifer Walters to come into work as She-Hulk. He put in changes at the law firm to allow them to start defending the supervillain community. Ultimately revealed to be a disguised RT-Z9 (or simply "Z9"), She-Hulk's robotic recorder and bailiffBailiffA bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
while she works for the MagistratiLiving TribunalThe Living Tribunal is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #157 June 1967 and was created by Stan Lee, Marie Severin and Herb Trimpe.-Publication history:The Living Tribunal debuted in a storyline called "The...
(agents of the Living TribunalLiving TribunalThe Living Tribunal is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #157 June 1967 and was created by Stan Lee, Marie Severin and Herb Trimpe.-Publication history:The Living Tribunal debuted in a storyline called "The...
). A more complete version of his name is "Rigel Type Zeta 9". He appears to be a variant of the RigelliansRigellians (Marvel Comics)The Rigellians, also known as the Colonizers of Rigel, are a scientifically and technologically advanced alien race in the fictional Marvel Comics Universe, devoted towards amassing an empire via colonization. They are native to Rigel-3 the third planet orbiting the star Rigel in the Milky Way Galaxy...
' Recorders. He is now destroyed, having been used by a villain in his attempts to find a safe place to plot his attack on creation. - Augustus "Pug" Pugliese, Jennifer Walters' roommate, colleague, and occasional work-out partner. Holds an unspoken crush on her, although she's married to John JamesonJohn Jameson (comics)John Jameson is a fictional character in publications from Marvel Comics.-Publication history:...
. He took a potion from a witch and now only sees She-Hulk as a friend and is that witch's indentured servant. - Mallory Book, another lawyer at GLK&H. Is antagonistic towards Jennifer Walters for reasons not yet fully understood. She was left using a wheelchair when the law offices were destroyed, although she has since recovered. She is also the Leader'sLeader (comics)The Leader is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #62, and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. In 2009, The Leader was ranked as IGN's 63rd Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.Actor Tim Blake...
attorney during his trial (She-Hulk v.2#19). She now heads up the firm and rehired She-Hulk, provided she work as Jennifer Walters. Her "Ultimate plan" whatever it was, was revealed by RTZ9 as ultimately not important in the great scheme of things and petty. - Stu Cicero, works in the law library basement. He was almost killed by BoomerangBoomerang (comics)Boomerang is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in the Marvel Comics universe and first appeared in Tales to Astonish #81....
, but because of the shift from comics to trade paperbacks, they were thick enough to prevent a weaponized boomerang from stabbing him. He is also in possession of an official No-PrizeNo-PrizeA No-Prize is a faux award given out by Marvel Comics to readers. Originally for those who spotted continuity errors in the comics, the current "No-Prizes" are given out for charitable works or other types of "meritorious service to the cause of Marveldom". As the No-Prize evolved, it was...
from Marvel Comics. He was shot and appeared to be disintegrated by Arthur Zix in She-Hulk #10 (October 2006) upon discovering Zix' true identity. However, he had been merely teleported to Duckworld, pseudo-homeworld of Howard the DuckHoward the DuckHoward the Duck is a comic book character in the Marvel Comics universe created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik. The character first appeared in Adventure into Fear #19 and several subsequent series have chronicled the misadventures of the ill-tempered, anthropomorphic, "funny...
(She-Hulk v.2 #19). Now back he's taken up a job at Marvel Comics. - Awesome AndyAwesome AndyThe Awesome Android, , is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics...
, formerly the Awesome Android, used to be the robotic lackey of Mad ThinkerMad ThinkerThe Mad Thinker is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . He is a genius specializing in evil robotics and usually comes up with very elaborate infallible devious plans that unfold like clockwork....
. He gained self-awareness and is now a general office worker at GLK&H, doing heavy lifting and other menial tasks. He was also responsible for Mallory Book's rehabilitation and developed a crush on her, although he left the firm after she rejected him. He was last seen returning to his creator, his memory apparently wiped by himself. - Two-Gun KidTwo-Gun KidThe Two-Gun Kid is a fictional character, a cowboy gunslinger in the Wild West of Marvel Comics' shared universe, the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:...
, the time-displaced former AvengerAvengers (comics)The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
who was initially brought in as a lawyer, but due to him needing to catch up on over 100 years of changes in the justice system, he decided to focus on more of a bailiffBailiffA bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
-type role, which allows him to keep his guns. - Ditto, the shape-shifting process server, who assumes the form of trusted individuals to serve legal notices. After he gave up the whereabouts of Jennifer Walters to TitaniaTitania (comics)Titania, in comics, may refer to:* Titania , a Marvel Comics villain* Titania , another Marvel Comics villain* Titania , a DC comics character...
, his then-roommate Awesome Andy ceased communications with him. Discovering the murder of Stu by Zix, Ditto has been forced to take Stu's place, despite his lack of knowledge of comics. (In a typical in-joke, when Ditto claims to know nothing of comic continuity, Zix responds "From what I've heard of comics these days, that shouldn't be a problem.") - Sasha MartinSouthpaw (comics)Southpaw is a fictional character that first appeared in the Marvel comic She-Hulk. She is Holden Holliway's granddaughter and in the custody of She-Hulk ....
, who is also known as the supervillain Southpaw. A glimpse into the future reveals that she will become a lawyer herself, influenced by her grandfather. Currently on the run. - Whiz Kid, a superfast courier in the firm's mail room. Currently a member of the LiberteensLiberty LegionThe Liberty Legion is a fictional superhero team in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team was first created in 1976 and set during World War II...
.