Films based on comic properties are a multi-billion dollar industry unto themselves. These movies regularly sit at the top of the yearly box office totals shattering records. And, with each release we hear stories about how the creators of these characters and those whose original stories the films are based on see little of that money for their work. There’s a lot to debate on this, contracts, law, and just general ethics, but no matter your opinion there’s a clear imbalance of power and credit. Public Domain #1 by Chip Zdarsky examines this relatively new phenomenon with a story about the creators of a superhero and the film based on their creation.
The story focuses on the character The Domain, and the two men who created him. There’s the writer who has clearly made money off of the creation, though bitter about his association. Then there’s the artist living a very average life with a family and modest house. While he’s happy and excited more individuals get to experience his creation, he hasn’t received the financial windfall from his work. Then there’s the artist’s sons, one comes off as a screw up while the other is a reporter who’s bitter about the success of his dad’s creation.
Revolving around a movie premiere, Zdarsky delivers a story of family drama and what will be business battles. It doesn’t take sides in the debate and instead gives a rather mixed, though not nuanced, take on the issue within. The characters feel like caricatures missing the complexity of the situation. Each character feels more like a stand-in for a stance instead of fleshed out thought themselves. It’s a complex topic with a lot of history missing the complexity and the history. It’s meta entertainment.
The art is pretty solid. Zdarsky gives each character a lot of personality. We get a sense of who each is just by their look, their clothes, stances, body language, and more. Beyond their actions and words, a shirt at times is all we need to know. A ponytail gives us a hint a character is a bit more relaxed and not uptight in their beliefs. It compounds each character filling a certain role for the story.
While Public Domain #1 is very good, it just doesn’t feel very deep. Its meta commentary is interesting and it could have a lot to say, but so far, it feels like it’s a commentary tackling a subject but without much depth to really examine what it has to say. And in the end, it might not. This could be a unique story using a hot topic for entertainment only, we’ll have to wait and see. But, as a first issue, it delivers an intriguing and unique debut, one to keep an eye on.
Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Chip Zdarsky
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Source: Graphic Policy
