Originally Posted by
marhawkman
Yeah as the Kingpin in Marvel comics likes to phrase it there's a difference between "associates" and employees.
Employees are people like Mercy working as Lex's bodyguard. She pretty much doesn't do her own thing ever. Associates are cases like Lex working with the Joker or Ra's. Yes, compensation for services rendered may go around, but only on an irregular basis. It's not necessarily an equal partnership, but it's a partnership.