Not sure if "congratulations" is the proper term, but in any case you have my highest regard. You've been one of my favorites since Elementals ("Hey, it's that awesome artist from the D&D manuals!") and I eagerly await the third score in your hat trick.
Just found out about the situation, and anything that makes the big comic book heads mad is worth celebrating. I wanted to show my support, so I did make a purchase from your shop. If even a little bit, I hope it helps. I hope your other comic book contracts are regarded more fairly by those you're working with, and I wish you good fortune in your future endeavors.
Does this mean that any cheap-paperback publisher can now reissue all of Fables? Or are the extant work still copyrighted, and only new stories can be published?
Not a copyright lawyer so take this for what it is worth..:
I think that the versions as published are still owned by DC. But the stories and characters are not. Look at it like this. Dracula the novel is public domain. So I could get the original version plus any other edition published before 1926 and do my own edition. Maybe have my wife illustrate it. Now my edition can be copyrighted by me because I created the final text. Any footnotes or forwards and illustrations would belong to me. Now that’s my understanding, but like I said, not a lawyer or legal expert. Though I’ve read a lot about it.
I read your original post about this to my wife and her first reaction was “That is how to be a bad ass boss!” Today she was talking about some ideas that she has to do a Fables webcomic.
The link should work now.
Not sure if "congratulations" is the proper term, but in any case you have my highest regard. You've been one of my favorites since Elementals ("Hey, it's that awesome artist from the D&D manuals!") and I eagerly await the third score in your hat trick.
Huge congrats to you and thank you for the honesty and explanations! It's really been inspiring to see your bravery in making this move ✨✨✨
I've gained new admiration for you by your willingness to stick it up to "the man".
What's become of this to date, Bill? Is DC Comics still saying it's not in the public domain? Are they just going to play he said vs. he said forever?
Check your messages.
Thank you.
Just found out about the situation, and anything that makes the big comic book heads mad is worth celebrating. I wanted to show my support, so I did make a purchase from your shop. If even a little bit, I hope it helps. I hope your other comic book contracts are regarded more fairly by those you're working with, and I wish you good fortune in your future endeavors.
Does this mean that any cheap-paperback publisher can now reissue all of Fables? Or are the extant work still copyrighted, and only new stories can be published?
Not a copyright lawyer so take this for what it is worth..:
I think that the versions as published are still owned by DC. But the stories and characters are not. Look at it like this. Dracula the novel is public domain. So I could get the original version plus any other edition published before 1926 and do my own edition. Maybe have my wife illustrate it. Now my edition can be copyrighted by me because I created the final text. Any footnotes or forwards and illustrations would belong to me. Now that’s my understanding, but like I said, not a lawyer or legal expert. Though I’ve read a lot about it.
I read your original post about this to my wife and her first reaction was “That is how to be a bad ass boss!” Today she was talking about some ideas that she has to do a Fables webcomic.
Yes, total validation aka the response henceforth known as The Denial Cope Answer: "No, we own it all, who cares about your stupid contract!"
I think the shop link isn’t working ;)
It should be now. I repaired it.
Is the store link correct, Bill? I am getting a "server not found" error? Cheers!
Ignore that - it works in the post, so looks like you updated it. Aye, with writers, our weekends are also fun work times. :-)