By the time you read this Op-Ed, NYCC 2023 will be over, and all the news organizations and pundits will have dissected every announcement from every creator and publisher. One announcement caught my attention, which compounds similar announcements made earlier this year and during NYCC 2022.
The announcement is a reminder to would-be comic creators that you don’t have to start from scratch when thinking about writing your next comic but are struggling to leverage an IP from one of the mainstream publishers.
What’s the announcement?
Dynamite Comics has licensing rights from WBD to publish comics based on The Wizard of Oz, Jonny Quest, Space Ghost, Thundercats, and more.
I’m personally excited by this news. Dynamite is one of our favorite publishers, but their storytelling quality can be inconsistent. Still, I’m enthused because companies are waking up to the fact that IPs with a strong nostalgia factor and persistent fanbase are simply gathering dust.
For example, Thundercats has a die-hard collector market for their toys. I had a few Thundercats action figures when I was a boy, so I know that comforting feeling of home and simpler times when the Thundercats topic comes up. In all honesty, I had way more He-Man toys, but that’s a story for another time.
The point here is that there are a lot of characters and worlds already built that just need a chance with the right creative team to breathe new life into them.
The Licensing Problem
The licensing isn’t really a problem if you know where to look. Sure, rights holders won’t let you publish anything you want without getting their cut, so you either have to broker a deal or go the easier route.
Create comics using Public Domain characters.
This Op-Ed doesn’t have enough time or legal expertise to untangle some of the complexities of popular characters who may be hitting the public domain in a few years (e.g. Superman and Batman). Public Domain characters can be used by anyone, but you have to check the ownership rights to avoid legal entanglements.
For example, you’re going to have a fight on your hands if you want to make a Superman comic, but nobody will bat an eye if you write a comic starring Captain Battle or Astro-Man (yes, those are real characters available in the public domain).
If you’d like to see a growing list of Public Domain characters, here’s one of many lists to get you started.
https://pdsh.fandom.com/wiki/Public_Domain_Super_Heroes
You Don’t Have to Start From Scratch, But You May Need To Dig
When it comes to creating new comics and finding audiences, the common marketing advice is to look for trends. The announcements by Dynamite, Mad Cave Studios, and more on the horizon suggest a trend of reinvigorating dormant IPs.
If you can’t afford to license a character, check the Public Domain listings and see if one or more established characters strike a chord. Chances are you can find at least one character with a history and personality you can work with to build, expand, and grow into something special.
You don’t have to start from scratch, but you can buy your way to a cool IP or get one for free with a little homework.
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