In case you didn’t read it by now, the Free Comic Book Day story of Dynamite and the Daredevil character was good. I’m glad to know the Claw is public domain in look and style and can be used. And better yet his name and image are both in the public domain, not like Daredevil who needs a name change if you use him.

I won’t spoil it if you didn’t read it, but it does mention when you read this story that the events take place after the mini-series we are currently reading. So in way you know what the outcome for the series will be and which characters are around. And which ones were not shown and probably it’s easy to guess what happened to them.

It was Free Comic Book Day, the day where the comic shop gives back! I hope you picked up the Dynamite Entertainment issue with a stunning Alex Ross cover of the Golden Age Daredevil and the Claw. It sure seems like Alex Ross is getting a lot of work this past year.

For the quality of his art, it sure seems like he’s producing a lot of pieces. Good for him, and for us to see it.

It was a great issue with some great interior art and story. It also helps to provide a team atmosphere with various Superpowers characters talking at a table. I won’t spoil it.

But overall I thought Dynamite Entertainment had another great showing on their Free giveaway. And I hope you got it.

One question I hear is: Blue Beetle, is he Public Domain?

It’s a bit tricky because DC Comics owns Blue Beetle and you don’t want to mess with them!

Here is what I’ve read and learned: Basically DC Comics bought the rights to Blue Beetle from Charlton Comics.

The Fox Comics version of Blue Beetle / Dan Garrett, the vitamin using hero is public domain.

But the version, of Charlton which was different in origin and powers is owned by DC Comics. As is the Ted Kord version.

So to play it safe, just remember: Base your version on the original Fox Comics version. And forget and cross out any ideas of the DC comics version.

It also goes without saying: Change the name and Don’t call him Blue Beetle. It would avoid any possible legal hassle. Call his hero name something else!

Again, I’m no lawyer or legal representative so get legal counsel if you feel you need it. And always look into it more on your own. I just hope to give some good start tips and plant ideas.

I just want to ask a question, if you are a comic book maker, or hopefully plan to be one day. Are you going to use any Public Domain Superheroes as part of your project?

I plan to, and was a reason I started this website. Because until Project Superpowers came out, I didn’t know there were Public Domain Superheroes. And don’t be fooled: Alex Ross, Dynamite Entertainment, Image comics and others DO NOT OWN These Characters.

And they CANNOT Prevent you from telling your own stories with these characters.

I am no lawyer, so don’t quote me, and of course, consider getting your own legal advice.

But my understanding and research on the issue is this: Once a property is in the public domain. It cannot go back into someones private hands.

With these comic book characters, we logged onto some great heroes. And I don’t think in this day and age, this would ever happen again.

Basically, the work made in the Golden Age, the copyright laws were different. And the rules are not like they were today. A lot of companies went out of business. Or they didn’t bother to register their characters. Don’t forget, comic books were looked down upon then by others. And it wasn’t something people bragged about working in.

But it all adds up to the fact that they are in the Public Domain, and that means they are free to be used by anyone.

But keep this important fact in mind: You must base your version on your own ideas and the only source material you can base it on is the Golden Age original material from the publishers back then.

By this I mean, you can follow strictly this Golden Age material. Or you can spin your own version in a whole new way.

But YOU CANNOT base your stores, ideas, or continuity on that of another publishers version. For example, DO NOT base your Black Terror on the Alex Ross version, in terms of character personality, costume and the elements he brings to it their.

Just stick to the rule of: Basing Your Version on the Original Material. And you cannot go wrong.

Forget Terror Obscura and the Alan Moore version. Don’t even bring it up.

I’d like to mention you can also redesign the costumes, changes the names, the secret identity names, the place they work, the city they live it, it’s all up to you.

Feel free to flex your creative muscle.

But a caution on the look: Stick to the original design and spin your own ideas. Do not copy what Alex Ross has done with his version and decide to make yours look the same way.

Basically I want to mention: Even though it’s public domain, as a publisher, they automatically have created “There Own Version” of that hero. The stories, personality, etc. are owned by them.

Just as Your Version, is owned by you, and another cannot legally base his material, on your version of that hero.

I’d also like to mention names: It pays to check and see what others are doing. I disagree that Marvel Comics has exclusive rights to the Daredevil name, but to play it safe I suggest Changing the name of the Golden Age Daredevil. AC Comics named theirs Red Devil. So don’t use that name either, AC Comics made that up and owns that version.

Personally, Daredevil is not a unique name. Such as Batman or Spider-Man. Like the Matrix movies had Robots called Sentinels. And Marvel Comics has robots called Sentinels. I think the word Daredevil is not unique. Heck, Stan Lee took the name the Golden Ages name to use on his version of Daredevil. Plus both heroes are not alike in terms of a reader being confused as to who they are.

Yet, as I said, to avoid the legal hassle of Daredevil, just change the name. And don’t use that terrible generic Superpowers name Dynamite had for him. They own that name for the character.

In case it wasn’t mentioned, I plan to one day hopefully use these Public Domain Superheroes in stories of mine. I plan to mix it in with my own original creations.

Why not stick to just my own you ask? As I’ve heard other comic creators say, it’s nice to play in others sandboxes. And that’s what these public domain heroes are: A chance to work with someone else’s sandbox. And yet to contribute your own take on the characters.

We may never get the chance to do this with our heroes like Batman, Spider-Man and all the rest. But legally, we can use these characters. And no editor or publisher can restrict us, or limit our imagination and the stories we want to tell with them. The only limits, are those you place upon yourself.
As it is, I’m planning Daredevil, who’ll have a different name my version, as someone who’ll stick close to the original published version in who he is.

The Black Terror though will be quite different from the how he was originally published and his costume altered.

Anyway, feel free to share your thoughts and comments.

Rob

I got my hands on the Image Comic called: Fantastic Comics #24, don’t worry there is no #23 by Image. Basically they picked up the title name and numbering sequence off of the original Fantastic Comics comic book which ended at #23 during the Golden Age of comics.

This is a compilation comic with various self-contained mini stories in it. With various Golden Age characters used. I’m glad it’s a different take and not at all like the Dynamite Entertainment version using Public Domain Superheroes.

It was also nice to see in a story, though not mentioned by name and only background material with no dialog. But I saw the original Daredevil, Green Lama, Fighting Yank and other Public Domain characters in it. It also further shows, that as long as you stick to the original versions and visuals, you can legally use these characters. But I’ll talk more about that in another 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.

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.