If you’re a fan of comics and a fan of Avril Lavigne at the same time, then you probably have the two-volume “Make 5 Wishes” manga from last year. The story (written by Joshua Dysart with artwork by Camilla D’Errico) is about a lonely girl who comes across a website that will grant you five wishes. After signing up, she receives a small box with a demon inside that grants you those wishes. Avril co-stars in this graphic novel as herself, and as an imaginary version of herself acting as this girl’s playmate and conscience. Cool stuff, huh?

Well, with the two volumes done, hardcore fans and geeks alike can rejoice, because a new Avril-themed comic book is out, written by Gail Simone of Wonder Woman fame, with art by Nelson Garcia. It’s called “Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend: Sleight of Hand… and Heart”, and this time, it’s a story inspired by our wondergirl’s hit single “Girlfriend”. It’s available only at the concert of the current Best Damn Tour or on Avril’s official website, so pick make sure you have your acid-free bags and backing boards ready when you get there!

The roots of this controversy may have started way back in 2004. As every Avril fan knows, she co-wrote most of the songs on “Under My Skin” with fellow Canadian Chantal Kreviazuk, best known for her extremely sappy rendition of “Leaving On A Jet Plane” from the hit “Armageddon” movie soundtrack.

In June of 2007 however, Kreviazuk was interviewed by Performing Songwriter magazine, where she was quoted as saying that Avril “doesn’t really sit and write songs by herself or anything.” She also claimed that she had “sent (Avril) a song two years ago called ‘Contagious’, and I just saw the tracklisting to this album and there’s a song called ‘Contagious’ on it – and my name’s not on it.”

This followed the filing of a suit against Avril by James Gangwer and Tommy Dunbar in May of 2007, claiming that Avril’s “Girlfriend” from her latest album “The Best Damn Thing” bore many similarities to their 1979 song “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”.

Well, our girl must have gotten fighting mad at both claims, because in July of that year she issued a statement that she was contemplating legal action. Well, a few days later, Kreviazuk made a full public apology and retracted the statements she made in her interview. So that was the end of that thorn in Avril’s side, but what about the 70s songwriting duo wanting a piece of the Best Damn pie?

Well, earlier this year they dropped their suit. Legal pressures or a secret settlement? We may never know, but things like this can keep on popping up in the future, like a comparison recently of Avril’s “I Don’t Have To Try” with Peaches’ “I’m The Kinda”.

Peaches however, is pleased as punch at the comparison, and Avril acknowledges that this cutting edge artist is a big influence on her music, so no flame wars there, except for the real die hard haters!