Public Domain Superheroes have at last come back in comic books in full force. Thanks to Dynamite Entertainment and Image Comics, these Golden Age greats are returning. This blog is about these characters.

What I like and plan to one day use, and you can use them to, is these Public Domain characters that no one can claim sole ownership of. Because once a property is in the Public Domain, it can’t go back in.

In case your wondering: Yes you can use the Black Terror, Original Daredevil and others in your own books. But you have to stick to the original published incarnations. This’ll be talked about more in a future blog post.

But make No Mistake about it, Dynamite Entertainment and Image Comics CANNOT prevent you from using these characters. You have just as much right as them to use them in your comic books. You just have to stick to the original characters published version. As I said, I’ll get into this more in a future topic.

I’ve read Dynamite Entertainment’s Project Superpowers issues # 0, 1, 2 and without trying to spoil it, I will admit I like the series so far.

Issue 0 was a stand alone issue set in World War II, and stars the Fighting Yank. Overall the issue was great, and the only fault I found was not naming the characters in the story by their given name. By this I mean we see the visual, but at no point do we hear their name or who they are.

In issues # 1, 2 it picks up in the present day and the consequences of issue # 0 are dealt with. Dynamic Man makes key appearances in these issues. As well as the Black Terror and the Golden Age Daredevil.

Their are also nice two page spreads by Alex Ross showcasing a bunch of Public Domain characters by name.

My only fault in this otherwise enjoyable series, is that it seems to only be a setup story. And the characters don’t have enough room to really be fleshed out and developed.

Black Terror only has expressed anger to just about everyone. I hope this is not going to be the personality they give him, because it’s going to get old real fast if he’s only just angry all the time. While Daredevil we have yet to know what he is thinking. Since his story so far is only visual and not his thoughts.

I guess that’s the nature of this series, as a setup point.

And since these characters will continue at Dynamite Entertainment after this storyline, I hope to see issues and stories just devoted to characters solo, and to develop their own identity better.

And I think when they have time, they should develop a profile and story listing these characters specific powers. For instance the Black Terror has had different levels of powers, and I want to know which version Dynamite Entertainment is working with.

Is he Superman level in power, or just a little stronger then the average person.

What are the specific powers of Scarab? I want to know the details and what abilities these characters have.

And those are just examples of a few characters.

Overall the series is good so far, even if the characters don’t have time to develop much cause they are all sharing limited space.

I mentioned creators and creations, in a blog post. Now I’d like to talk Batman.

As you might know, it says Bob Kane created him. Yet, researching the history. It really was a co-creation and a guy named Bill Finger, who wrote the stories and gave ideas, co-created him. And how much influence did Bill Finger have? Well, without him. There would be No Batman as we know him.

And in my opinion Batman, a version only by Bob Kane, would have been a failed concept of a character, long forgotten decades ago as nothing special.

Here is what Bill Finger suggested and helped make in terms of Batman’s creation.

-He suggested the colors for his costume. Such as a gray suit. Kane, had a red suit.
-He suggested the cowl. Kane had a Zorro type mask covering the eyes only.
-Suggested the Scalloped cape. Kane had awkward wings instead.
-Named the Bruce Wayne character
-Made Batman a detective
-Co-created the origin story
-Named the city as, Gotham City
-Helped co-create Robin, Joker, and a bunch of villains

Reading that list: It sure sounds like a co-creation. In fact, most of the creative ideas that you know of as Batman were Bill Finger ideas.

Yet, here is the sad part. He died all but penniless. While his co-creation Batman made millions for Bob Kane.

But while I read, Bob Kane was arrogant and shrewed. I hear remarks from comic professionals, that he was stupid and had no ideas. And he fluked his way into a fortune.

I think it’s wrong to say that. Whatever he lacked, Bob Kane knew his financial situation. And you can’t fluke your way into that many good financial contracts. And as shrewd as he was, it was a good think in a way, cause he was going up against sharks. But he made sure, he got his financial just do in contract. And lived well financially, cause of it. (It’s a shame the Silver Age Marvel creators, did not think in terms of Business Finance. If anything, this case proves creators could have had a financial contract.)

And while some may say: Look, Kane didn’t contribute much to Batman. He didn’t deserve his millions. I disagree, to all of them I say this one important question: Without Bob Kane, would there have been the Batman? Think the situation over and answer honestly. For me, the answer is a resounding No.

His presence, and being there is what helped make Batman. Without him there, there would be no Batman as we know him.

While Kane didn’t create much. He did create. And without him reaching out to Bill Finger, and working together, there would be no Batman.

So he deserves his money. And better him, a co-creator get a financial benefit. Then a corporation to get it all.

But the sad part is, like the companies screwing over the talent and not giving them their financial just due. Bob Kane, never gave his co-creator his just due. He acted like a corporation, and gave his partner nothing financially, in terms of a royalty.

In fact Kane was so business smart, or shrewd, by contract all Batman work has his creators name on it. That of Bob Kane only, and not Bill Finger. So even now, the legacy of Bill Finger is not given its respect and due.

I can only guess why he never gave Bill Finger credit. Maybe it’s cause in him mind, he truly feels he was the sole creator of Batman? And at the least, the initial idea was his. And he approached Bill later. Maybe it was a case of pure Ego, and wanting all the credit? Why have only a co-credit. I’m sure a financial incentive was also there. If he was listed only as a co-creator. Half his income would have to go to Bill Finger, and why share?

I’m not saying it’s right. I can see from the above arguments, especially the financial one, why Bob Kane would resist sharing Batman as a co-creative work.

I can see that. But in terms of living with yourself, I can’t agree.

To do the right thing, cause it’s right, is Important and it matters.

If it were a just world, Bill Finger would have received his financial share and credit of the Batman’s Legacy.

That’s the right think to do, and if your a person of honor, it is what you would do.

But that’s what happened. One of Batman’s creators, got compensated and another of his creators died penniless.

If you are in creative media: If you are creating something, get Legal Advice, read Contracts carefully, and understand your rights before you sign over anything. Also don’t be too forthcoming with creative ideas, without first signing a contract. Or at least, knowing your Legal Rights.

It’s important to think long term and about your rights when creating, especially now, I don’t think there is an excuse. Times back then were different, and most people were not informed about finances and creative media rights. But now it’s different, and you should know. Cause your lack of financial knowledge can end up costing you a possible fortune. And as the saying goes, Always get a contract in writing.

I was watching Family Guy, the Television show and the creator, a guy in his 30’s Seth MacFarlane happened to mention off-hand, how the show made him a millionaire.

I for some reason, probably because I’m reading some issues now, thought about Spider-Man’s creators, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

I was thinking: Family Guy is an animated show, that Seth MacFarlane started. And it is a hit show, and him being a millionaire is great. He earned it, cause he started and created all these characters and concepts.

Now I look at Spider-Man, who is a cultural icon. Yet, WHO makes all the money off this creation? The Marvel Comics corporation. NOT the men, Stand Lee and Steve Ditko who ONLY CREATED the character. Created the majority of his main villains. His supporting cast, and story lines that have been repeated again and again, and even in various media from animated to movies. Basically they created not only Spider-Man, but the world he operates in.

Let’s face it: It is a Billion Dollar idea and creation.

And while Lee, good for him, has made his millions. It’s cause of ALL his Marvel work and co-created characters. Not just Spider-Man. I think for Spidey alone he deserves more money.

But the real shame is Ditko, who gets NO residual income for Spider-Man, cause back then it was a “work for hire” agreement, and the company owns the character. And the creator has NO RIGHTS in terms of financial income, in making the character.

Its just a darn Shame.

In other media, from Animation, and Books, CREATORS are not treated this shabby.

Comic book history, in this respect, is a Shameful Disgrace. Creators, in a just world, Should Benefit FINANCIALLY, from their creative work. It’s only right.

Yet it didn’t happen in comics back then.

And yet, it was BACK THEN, that all the Truly Creative Works and characters appeared.
All the Icons.

——————————-

P.S. I know some will mention, creators now get a Financial Cut, and Royalty, of characters they make. I agree, but wonder, does anyone know, and can post statistics, and what percent a creator gets for his creation? And does it count for all other work and media outside comics?

From what I’ve read and tried to find, it seems from admittedly, little I know. It still seems like a Raw Deal. And compared to other creative media like Books, Animation, or Films. The creators of Comic Book Characters, in terms of Financial restitution, is still a Raw Deal where you get the financial shaft.

And I guess it shows in a way cause: Comic book companies are pretty notorious in being cheap, and not wanting to give financial royalties AT ALL. Much less, to a creator over and over again, for use of their character.

And if this is the case, Which it is. Then it’s pretty easy to assume, the Financial Cut and royalty you make, in comic books, is not much, for a new creation.

Also, it’s No Surprise, the big two, Marvel and DC Comics DO NOT publish titles, (or at least ones that last) with new characters. It’s a rarity, and something not usually done.

Instead, it’s the same old characters again and again recycled in a new comic book series every few years. I wonder why? It’s gotta be the fact that: They don’t have to pay a royalty for them. Cause those characters, are owned by the company and before the Royalty Plan was in place.

And as a creator: If you learned your history, and how past creators got screwed financially, and how you can’t even dictate the direction of your creation. (And editor can overrule you in terms of how the character should develop.) Why would you want to contribute that new character you made?

Makes no sense.

If you got a good idea, and thanks to diversity now in publishing, it’s better to go to a company like Image, and make a book where you own the rights to your creation.

Bottom Line: Spider-Man’s creators got financially screwed, as well as most of the Golden and Silver age creators. And from what I know, the compensation plan, still isn’t great in terms of your contributions creatively. So if you got a great character or idea, it’s probably best to think it over and publish it in a place where you own the rights.

And at the Very Least, read all contracts carefully and think Long, NOT short term, in regards of finances and if you will get your financial just due if you are working for Marvel, DC, or any other company, that would own your creative ideas.

In this day and age, if you don’t know your creative rights, you had better ask and check what is written in the contract. Lack of such foresight, can cost you financially, a million dollar idea.

I hear a lot of arguments about who created the Marvel Universe, was it Stan Lee or Jack Kirby who deserves all the credit?

And I’ve seen passionate Kirby fans argue that: Stan Lee only did dialogue. And Kirby made all the creative ideas.

Even though, it’s established fact Lee gave plot ideas in writing. Later on, over the phone in a conversation, and not a written script.

I don’t think it’s fare to say Stan Lee had no real creative role at all, in Marvel Comics success. And that it’s all Kirby.

Here is why:

If it was a writer just making, one or two books. Giving a plot and dialogue, I could understand the view. Of saying Lee didn’t do much.

But the truth is, after I read the Stan Lee book he wrote about those days.

Excelsior: The Amazing Life of Stan Lee

The guy was a work horse. And DESERVES co-creator credit and his just due in the Marvel Universe.

-Stan Lee had to run the plates, to the presses to make sure the books were published. This is off memory, I got to find the book. But basically it seems, he had the job of bringing the art to the printing presses. This alone, I think qualifies for a full time job.

- He was the editor, who had to control about a dozen books. He had to talk, scout out, and hire talent. As well as place them in various jobs.

- Stan Lee had to write, at the very least, all the dialogue of these books.

- He had to read and answer the mail in the various letter columns for all the books, and write the bulletin pages.

- He had to answer to his bosses and other people, at any given time.

And a few more things I’m forgetting, but were written in the book .

Take all this into account: And tell me honestly, that Stan Lee didn’t create much, or that he was not also largely responsible for Marvel Comics success? It’s not just about making comics. It’s all the other jobs as well, that we the public are not privy to.

He was running at least 3 full time jobs, each in their own right. As an editor, as a guy handling all the letter columns, and bulletin pages. And as a writer.

I can picture it, and it must have been a nonstop pace. Something was always happening.

And as for character credit?

It’s a known fact that he talked with his artists. Plots and ideas went back and forth. Later on the artists, wrote plots without Lee.

But all the establishing stuff, and book concepts and characters to start with were talked over. It was a co-creative work.

And really in my opinion, Stan Lee did create a lot. And yes, he did help to co-create these characters.

His Marvel method, also I think brought the best out of both worlds.

The artist paced the story himself. And had to figure out how to make the panels and what to do, in the visual sense. Yet, at the same time, he had an outline to follow of what to do and where the story needed to go.

The writer had new ideas to work with in the art, and script it coherently to tell a great story.

It was the best of both worlds.

Both Contributed!

That’s how comics should be. An artist and writer, both adding there creative ideas. And the completed whole, is the best of both.

Problem I see with the old world of Full Script method is: The artist really has no creative function and is a Drone. Some artists might like working that way, and easier to do, just follow orders. But if I were an artist, I’d hate it. It is not in my view, too creative.

If you give a full script to 10 different artists, the resulting work would be very similar and almost the same.

In Full Script, the Writer dictates it all. And the Artist, is just a Tool and Replaceable.

In the Marvel method. The artist is helping to co-create. And give those same 10 artists this style, and you’d end up with 10 different stories, with some similarities.

Also an artist naturally knows better how to visually pace a story then a writer, who can’t draw to pace a story using visuals. It’s just the artists nature.

—————————————-

Back to Kirby fans who try to imply Kirby did it all, or at least most of it.

I have to disagree, it was a co-creative work. And while the Marvel Universe you know would be drastically different without Kirby and what he contributed. Which was a huge lot. It’s only fair to acknowledge, in a Kirby only world without Lee, there would not be a Marvel Universe as we know it either.

It was both a Kirby and Lee creation that made the majority of the Marvel Universe. It was a co-creation, and I’m cool with that.