Comic books are no stranger to meta commentary about themselves, but when it comes to commentary on the industry itself, the best comic to directly address the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of publication is Chip Zdarsky’sPublic Domain.TheImage Comicsseries is about the behind-the-scenes production and drama of the comic industry.
Beginning withPublic Domain#1 by Zdarsky, the indie series follows Syd Dallas, the artist responsible for this world’s most popular comic hero: the Domain. While Syd is proud of his work, he does not receive the fame or financial benefit his former partner does. His sons, on the other hand, see how their father has been taken advantage of by greedy corporations, while also having their own complicated feelings in relation to their father and his work.
WhilePublic Domainisnot another superhero comicin the traditional sense, it iskey reading for any comic fan interested in pursuing a career in this industry,as well as comic fans who want an honest look into the industry.
Chip Zdarsky’s Independent Series Gives Comic Readers a Look into the Industry
The Domain has two creators - artist Syd and writer Jerry - but when it comes to the rights of the Domain, as well as who benefits the most from its comics, toys, films, and more, Jerry reaps it all - or so the world and Syd thought. Legally, Syd owns the rights to the Domain, something he was initially unaware of, thusleading to the main conflictofPublic Domain, which takes to task Marvel and DC-like corporations.Public Domainshows how someone who created one of the most popular comic book characters in the history of the medium can still be screwed over for decades by his co-creator, as well as the company built off of his work.
Zdarsky is well aware of this, pointing out in an interview withCBRhow,“if you’re a company trading on the stock market, you don’t do things because they’re ‘right,’ you do them because it will increase profits for your shareholders.” In that same interview,Zdarsky addresses how there is not really an incentive for these companies to do better, especially when audiences will still see the movies or buy the toys based on these comics.
Zdarsky is no stranger to licensed superhero comics with fan-favorite runs on titles likeDaredevilfrom Marvel Comics andBatmanfrom DC Comics, both available now digitally and in collected editions.
While there is exploitation in the comics industry, as well as corrupt companies, there is still joy to be had in it. One of the beautiful things Zdarsky does inPublic Domainis show how much joy Syd takes in his past work, even if he is not reaping the financial benefits. He is proud of his work, and when he gets the rights back, he is thrilled to be able to write and draw for this character again. Syd is the one being screwed over by this industry, but he is also the character who seems to love it the most. That being said, Syd is also a flawed character whose work has negatively impacted his familial relationships.
Public DomainIs a Work of Fiction Inspired by a Real-World Industry
A Real Side of the Comic Industry
Zdarksy’sPublic Domainis not a one-sided take-down of the industry. Instead,it is a nuanced look into the comic industry- the harsh realities of it and the joy this industry can bring its creators and fans. It is also a comic that is inspired by the real world industry thatZdarskyhas worked in for years, along with colleagues like Ed Brubaker, who has already been put through the system and the way it can exploit creators. It’s also hard not to draw parallels between Syd and Jerry and the legendary Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, for instance.
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Brubaker’s case is just one instance of the comic and film industry not appreciating, as well as taking advantage of, the creators behind the characters and stories that have made so much money.Public Domain, of course, is not a historical account of the comics industry. It is fictional, but it shows a very real industry, including the good and the bad of it. While there is a lot to learn about the industry fromPublic Domain, this celebratedImagecomic still captures what makes aspiring creators want to be a part of comics in the first place.
