It seems Erik Larsen, who recently used a lot of Golden Age Public Domain Superheroes in a Savage Dragon storyline, is planning to keep a few around.

As he recently stated in an interview, he plans to use the Golden Age Daredevil to be a regular in the Savage Dragon series.

I heard others in the Dynamite boards complaining, and that Erik is just ripping off the hype by Alex Ross and what Dynamite is doing.

I disagree and think it’s good for Erik, who has just as much right to any of these Golden Age heroes, as we the fans do, as well as other publishers.

Dynamite and Alex Ross DO NOT own these characters. And they sure as heck never created these characters either.

Erik plans to call him Daredevil in the book, and plays up that name saying, just like DC Captain Marvel is called that in the book, but is called Shazam in a published title, he can use it.

I hear what he’s saying, and I suppose it can be done. But in today’s outside media and the material that spins out of comics, I would change the name. Just to avoid any possible legal hassle down the line. And cause we’re not big time publishers who can afford any possible lawsuits.

But an interesting thing of note is I heard a rumor that AC Comics was planning to sue Dynamite, saying they own the rights to the visuals. For example Daredevil and how Dynamite has the same look, as theirs.

I’ve heard no further news on the case, and since Erik is using the same exact version as Dynamite. I guess their is no legal trouble, and anyone can in fact use the original visual and costume of these Public Domain Superheroes.

As it is, my plan is what Erik has done.

That is to use my own original creations in a series. Then to pepper in a few Golden Age heroes. And one of them is Daredevil because the visual is so cool, and I like his powers and reminds me of a Batman type of character.

Also Black Terror and Green Lama are on the list and a reworked Blue Beetle.

I wonder with Marvel seemingly switching to $3.99 an issue, which may be the new standard mark. Then it’s only a matter of time DC will likewise charge the same price.

I wonder, how this will effect future start up companies who want to enter the comic book market? Or more specifically how will they survive in such a market?

Already it’s no secret, across the board comic book prices have been raised, whether it be the single issue comics, or the various trade formats they later produce.

It’s also no secret comic book stores in the direct market have a limited budget on what they can afford to buy. Especially in a market with no return policy.

With pricing being raised, and sure the dealer gets a huge discount off cover price, but still they are paying more per issue. And again, they have a certain budget.

So it’s not hard to imagine if $3.99 is the new set price across the board, that smaller publishers will have their product cut back by the dealer.

I mean who are they more likely to cut out? A Marvel Comic or DC book they know has an established brand name, and more likely get a sale?

Or another publisher where the sale is more dicey to get?

I just think the raised prices, will further help to cut out any books from other companies that are not DC or are Marvel made.

Plus any new start up company will have a huge hurdle to survive in a market where $3.99 may be the new set point.

And as far as production costs involved, I really wonder if any other publisher can soon afford not to charge a similar price or more?