Comic Industry Start, Including Marvel & DC Comics Contributors, Unite in Lawsuit Against Art Dealer
August 14, 2025
New York, NY — On August 7, 2025, seventeen internationally acclaimed artists and writers, whose work includes credits with Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, the New Yorker Magazine, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics and the Washington Post publications, filed a joint complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Paolo Belfiore, an art dealer, and Cadence Comic Art Inc, his art gallery.
The artists, represented by Polina Ivko, allege in this federal case that Mr. Belfiore and his gallery engaged in systematic fraud and misconduct. According to the court filing, the defendants are accused of violating fiduciary and statutory obligations under New York Art and Cultural Affairs Law by misappropriating funds, failing to provide accurate account statements, commingling trust funds, and withholding unsold art. Artists seek damages, injunctive relief, and accountability for these breaches.
The case is docketed as Cloonan et al v. Cadence Comic Art Inc et al, 1:25-cv-06513-JLR. A copy of the publicly filed complaint is available through the court’s electronic records system (PACER).
The full list of plaintiffs: Pia Guerra, Jill Thompson, David Marquez, Becky Cloonan, Joelle Jones, Elena Casagrande, Tyler Crook, Wesley Craig, Leila Leiz, Rafael Albuquerque, Jenny Frison, Valerio Schiti, Allesandro Cappuccio, Mahmud Asrar, Paolo Villanelli, Yildiray Cinar, and Danai Christina Kilaidoni.
Practice areas: art law, entertainment law, and litigation.