Comic books are being made into television and feature films more than ever these days. But do the original creators get their due credit? Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals, Daredevil) explores this subject in his new book Public Domain.
Zdarsky originally launched Public Domain digitally via his Substack newsletter to his subscribers. The print edition hit local comic book shops on June 29 via Image Comics. Chip is responsible for writing, inking, coloring and lettering this series.
Public Domain follows Syd Dallas is responsible for pop culture’s greatest hero: THE DOMAIN! But his sons Miles and David have a complicated relationship with both the creation and their creator. Can they convince their dad to fight for their family’s legacy?
The one-man show is perfect for Zdarksy, it allows him to explore his outstanding writing and partner it with his amazing artwork. Public Domain comes from the heart, a true story of what it’s like to be a comic book creator in a world of feature films and television. The ability to tell a fictional story that is based in the read world.
It’s all to familiar story nowadays, the creators not getting due credit for the hard work put into these characters that make big media companies millions if not billions of dollars. The original creators are rarely mentioned outside the comic book world, event though the giant production wouldn’t be possible with their work.
Public Domain is a perfect balance of story and art to truly make you care about the Dallas family and the different takes on the comic book Syd created. When the final word bubble was read and panel was viewed, all I wanted was more.
Zdarksy truly hit it out of the park with this book and it’s nice to see he was able to do so with the backing of Substack and own his creation completely. Plus, the ability to publish the print edition through Image Comics allows more people to get their hands on another amazing book.
Pick up Public Domain at your LCS or read the digital version on ComiXology.
