Our Amazing Sunday Afternoon Update
In which Bill takes questions about the whole DC Comics and Public Domain kerfuffle and even answers a few.
Q: What do you think about DC’s statement of last week?
DC’s statement: “The Fables comic books and graphic novels published by DC, and the storylines, characters and elements therein, are owned by DC and protected under the copyright laws of the United States and throughout the world in accordance with applicable law, and are not in the public domain. DC reserves all rights and will take such action as DC deems necessary or appropriate to protect its intellectual property rights.”
A: Not too much. I find it interesting they’ve finally come out and admitted what I knew all along: which is, in their minds, they think they own Fables and always have.
Q: Has DC Comics contacted you directly since you placed Fables into the public domain?
A: Nope. So far it’s been radio silence from them. I suspect the one public statement they issued was because they had to say something quick to staunch the bleeding from my press release. I expect their next statement, either privately to me, or publicly again, to be a bit more considered and measured. Then again, if I really knew what DC was thinking, at any given time, maybe it never would have had to come to this.
Q: Have you gotten much response from other sources?
A: Yes, so many in fact that I’m still wading through them. If I haven’t answered your direct question yet, or thanked you directly, please know that I’m getting to them as fast as I can. In addition to answering emails and other sources of questions and comments, I’ve also got more work now (none of which is for or with DC Comics, nor will it ever again be) than at any other time in my too, too long career. Please do be patient, and bear with me. In the meantime, since a good fragment of the questions are duplicated, I’m going to try to answer some of them here, collectively. Also please know that I’m heartened and encouraged by all of the messages of support, and you have my sincere gratitude.
Q: Will you be on our podcast?
A: Some. I’ll try to be, even though I’m reluctant to do so because I’m uncomfortable on video. I’d repeat the old canard that I have a face for radio, but even the sound of my recorded voice annoys me, so I’m uncomfortable on radio too. However, I’m aware of my obligations to my readers, so I do intend to accept some of the invitations, regardless of my social reticence. Since there were so many offers to appear on various podcasts and comic shows, there’s no way I’ll be able to be on all of them, or even a reasonable fraction. I’m still working my way through the many terrific offers, and once again, I hope you’ll bear with me while I sort them out, and forgive me if your show doesn’t make the cut.
Q: Will you post your contracts with DC Comics?
A: No. At least not yet. This is going to be a long slog, however it turns out, and the timing of such a big, privacy-killing step isn’t quite there yet.
It’s a pretty bold claim they’re making to own the copyright for, say, Snow White as a character, given the prominence of said character in the American media landscape prior to the existence of DC comics.
It shows in clear print why your actions are exactly right and necessary.
Again, you’ve given thought to how this would go down, and I bet the future communication you’ve conjectured from the ‘Distinguished’ Competition will be strikingly accurate. Hope it won’t cause headaches for you. Congrats on getting so much new work! A win for us all!