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Public Domain
Public Domain, Volume 1: Past Mistakes
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?
This fun and heartfelt series written and illustrated by Eisner-winner CHIP ZDARSKY (Sex Criminals, Daredevil) explores a WILD, ALTERNATE WORLD where comic book creators aren’t properly acknowledged or compensated for their creations!! Crazy, I know!!
Collects PUBLIC DOMAIN #1-5
This fun and heartfelt series written and illustrated by Eisner-winner CHIP ZDARSKY (Sex Criminals, Daredevil) explores a WILD, ALTERNATE WORLD where comic book creators aren’t properly acknowledged or compensated for their creations!! Crazy, I know!!
Collects PUBLIC DOMAIN #1-5
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 24, 2023
17 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
About the author
Chip Zdarsky
868 books851 followersChip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.
Source: Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
January 10, 2023
The Domain is the flagship superhero character of entertainment behemoth Singular Comics, whose movie adaptations are box office hits, making the company and the character’s original writer, Jerry Jasper, rich and famous. Except for the original artist, Syd Dallas, who lives a modest life and goes largely unrecognised for his contributions to the character’s enduring success. Until one day he discovers a long-forgotten contract that says that he owns the rights to the character…
Chip Zdarsky’s Public Domain tells a sadly oft-repeated story in the world of superhero comics whereby the creators of major characters get a pittance for their work while publishers like DC and Marvel who own the IPs reap billions. Siegel and Shuster’s Superman, Bill Finger’s Batman, Jack Kirby’s… entire Marvel Universe! The list goes on. They all got fucked over unfortunately.
This comic is a love letter to classic superhero comics and their lesser-known creators, as well as a critique of the modern superhero movie and comics business. I’m down with all of that, so I wanted to like this book more than I did though ultimately I found it a little too contrived and underwhelming.
It’s weird that Syd doesn’t remember signing a contract confirming he owns this character that he loves so much. “The Domain” is such a clunky name for a character too - it’s entirely because Zdarsky wants to make it the title of his series. Zdarsky so wants us to feel positively towards certain characters that he goes too one-dimensional in his portrayals so Syd is too damn saintly for his own good, and Jerry is far too evil - it’s weak characterisation.
The story ultimately didn’t do much for me. It goes the predictable route with the lawyers sitting around a table talking and I just wasn’t that taken with how that ended up playing out - again Syd, the Ned Flanders of comics, was too damn nicey nice. And while his son Dave is a fun dude who’s playful, his other son Miles’ whole gambling addiction thing was dull. I just didn’t care.
A lot of stuff conveniently falls into place, particularly in that final part where the weird fanboy turns out to be… well, I won’t spoil things here, but everything works out, and the love for comics and comics creation is underlined once more. Which is fine but it’s sentimental and again just not that entertaining to read about either.
Given that Zdarsky’s a big name at Marvel, and now DC, I do wonder how much of the behind-the-scenes stuff is made up or whether he’s seen/heard some things. Jerry Jasper is clearly meant to be Stan Lee - but was Stan really that awful away from the cameras? Is Marvel/DC corporate so slimy? Are the actors who play these icons so cynical? Still, I enjoyed the jabs at the MCU and it’s good to see Zdarsky drawing comics again - I may not be a huge fan of his writing but I do like his art a great deal.
As much as I’m in favour of justice for comics creators (and it occasionally happens, like for Jack Kirby’s family - unfortunately years after he died, but still), it didn’t make for a particularly compelling narrative in Public Domain, Volume 1: Past Mistakes.
Chip Zdarsky’s Public Domain tells a sadly oft-repeated story in the world of superhero comics whereby the creators of major characters get a pittance for their work while publishers like DC and Marvel who own the IPs reap billions. Siegel and Shuster’s Superman, Bill Finger’s Batman, Jack Kirby’s… entire Marvel Universe! The list goes on. They all got fucked over unfortunately.
This comic is a love letter to classic superhero comics and their lesser-known creators, as well as a critique of the modern superhero movie and comics business. I’m down with all of that, so I wanted to like this book more than I did though ultimately I found it a little too contrived and underwhelming.
It’s weird that Syd doesn’t remember signing a contract confirming he owns this character that he loves so much. “The Domain” is such a clunky name for a character too - it’s entirely because Zdarsky wants to make it the title of his series. Zdarsky so wants us to feel positively towards certain characters that he goes too one-dimensional in his portrayals so Syd is too damn saintly for his own good, and Jerry is far too evil - it’s weak characterisation.
The story ultimately didn’t do much for me. It goes the predictable route with the lawyers sitting around a table talking and I just wasn’t that taken with how that ended up playing out - again Syd, the Ned Flanders of comics, was too damn nicey nice. And while his son Dave is a fun dude who’s playful, his other son Miles’ whole gambling addiction thing was dull. I just didn’t care.
A lot of stuff conveniently falls into place, particularly in that final part where the weird fanboy turns out to be… well, I won’t spoil things here, but everything works out, and the love for comics and comics creation is underlined once more. Which is fine but it’s sentimental and again just not that entertaining to read about either.
Given that Zdarsky’s a big name at Marvel, and now DC, I do wonder how much of the behind-the-scenes stuff is made up or whether he’s seen/heard some things. Jerry Jasper is clearly meant to be Stan Lee - but was Stan really that awful away from the cameras? Is Marvel/DC corporate so slimy? Are the actors who play these icons so cynical? Still, I enjoyed the jabs at the MCU and it’s good to see Zdarsky drawing comics again - I may not be a huge fan of his writing but I do like his art a great deal.
As much as I’m in favour of justice for comics creators (and it occasionally happens, like for Jack Kirby’s family - unfortunately years after he died, but still), it didn’t make for a particularly compelling narrative in Public Domain, Volume 1: Past Mistakes.
July 29, 2025
Not too shabby.
Sounded like a somewhat boring premise for a comic book, but I ended up enjoying the oddball family dynamic.
You've got this aging comic book artist whose son wants him to fight for the rights to a comic book superhero that he co-created. The character, Domain, is making big money for the publisher and the writer (who seems like a Great Value Stan Lee), and his wife and sons (especially his oldest) think it's crap that he's not getting paid for his contributions.
It doesn't sound like you could make that into a comic, but...you know what? Zdarsky pulls it off.
You get sucked into the dynamic of the family, and this voyeuristic look at the ugly side of the comic industry.
I'm interested enough to keep reading.
Recommended.
Sounded like a somewhat boring premise for a comic book, but I ended up enjoying the oddball family dynamic.
You've got this aging comic book artist whose son wants him to fight for the rights to a comic book superhero that he co-created. The character, Domain, is making big money for the publisher and the writer (who seems like a Great Value Stan Lee), and his wife and sons (especially his oldest) think it's crap that he's not getting paid for his contributions.
It doesn't sound like you could make that into a comic, but...you know what? Zdarsky pulls it off.
You get sucked into the dynamic of the family, and this voyeuristic look at the ugly side of the comic industry.
I'm interested enough to keep reading.
Recommended.
December 8, 2022
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but it's brilliant!
Told from the perspective of the sons of a comic book artist, it follows some family drama and the strange (and brutal) ecosystem of the comic book industry. It's entertaining, satirical, and engaging.
ARC through NetGalley
Told from the perspective of the sons of a comic book artist, it follows some family drama and the strange (and brutal) ecosystem of the comic book industry. It's entertaining, satirical, and engaging.
ARC through NetGalley
June 21, 2023
A riff on the Stan Lee - Jack Kirby split takes a domestic drama angle focusing on fathers and sons.
Miles Richard Dallas is the son of a comic book artist who got squeezed out of the merchandising and movie money for the iconic hero he co-created. Miles' brother is a loser goof, and his own life is no better as he's in the midst of a slowly unfolding trainwreck of his own making. But things may turn around when their father is given evidence of a legal document that shows he may be owed more for his work than he thought.
In many ways, this low-key, slow-paced first volume feels like it's all set-up -- the pilot episode -- but it did draw me along and makes me interested to see what comes next with these characters.
Miles Richard Dallas is the son of a comic book artist who got squeezed out of the merchandising and movie money for the iconic hero he co-created. Miles' brother is a loser goof, and his own life is no better as he's in the midst of a slowly unfolding trainwreck of his own making. But things may turn around when their father is given evidence of a legal document that shows he may be owed more for his work than he thought.
In many ways, this low-key, slow-paced first volume feels like it's all set-up -- the pilot episode -- but it did draw me along and makes me interested to see what comes next with these characters.
January 27, 2023
This is so good. Literally anyone who reads this will like it. It’s funny, smart, clever, relevant, and very well done. A page turner. I’m not even going to say what it’s about. It’s a damn good comic book and you should read it.
July 11, 2025
I confused the brothers a few times. The focus on superhero comics created decades ago made this a pretty clear metaphor for Marvel and DC.
I found the balance of banter and support between the brothers refreshing and realistic. I liked the running joke of the cow van. I liked the focus on a family unit but with a supportive new faces. I love the wife and mom, Candy, and her staunch support while also having zero interest in the comics.
I found the balance of banter and support between the brothers refreshing and realistic. I liked the running joke of the cow van. I liked the focus on a family unit but with a supportive new faces. I love the wife and mom, Candy, and her staunch support while also having zero interest in the comics.
February 12, 2023
A look into the mostly fucked up world of writers and artist who work on comics for a living and then get screwed over by the big wigs.
In the words of Donald Glover "This is America"
But really I'm sure it happens world wide. When Brubaker, one of the most talented writers I've ever gotten the chance to read, creates a character such as Winter Soldier, and then those movies and TV shows featuring said character do millions upon millions and billions, and he can't even get into the premier because security doesn't know who he is...it's fucking sad.
So this is the story of a guy who wrote a character called Domain and over the years the character became a smashing hit in the box-office with movies and such, and he's given a few grand anytime a movie comes out despite it doing hundreds of millions and then one day thanks to a fan, he finds out he might own the rights to the character. So with the help of his family, which is one dysfunctional ass family, they begin to start a new company.
It's a great mix of humor, real life events, mixed with some wonderful family drama. I mixed Zdarsky art a lot from Sex Criminals and he doesn't miss a beat. On top of that his writing is as sharp as ever and highly entertaining. This first volume is honestly a must read for fans of comics in general. A 4.5 out of 5.
In the words of Donald Glover "This is America"
But really I'm sure it happens world wide. When Brubaker, one of the most talented writers I've ever gotten the chance to read, creates a character such as Winter Soldier, and then those movies and TV shows featuring said character do millions upon millions and billions, and he can't even get into the premier because security doesn't know who he is...it's fucking sad.
So this is the story of a guy who wrote a character called Domain and over the years the character became a smashing hit in the box-office with movies and such, and he's given a few grand anytime a movie comes out despite it doing hundreds of millions and then one day thanks to a fan, he finds out he might own the rights to the character. So with the help of his family, which is one dysfunctional ass family, they begin to start a new company.
It's a great mix of humor, real life events, mixed with some wonderful family drama. I mixed Zdarsky art a lot from Sex Criminals and he doesn't miss a beat. On top of that his writing is as sharp as ever and highly entertaining. This first volume is honestly a must read for fans of comics in general. A 4.5 out of 5.
May 30, 2023
*More like 3.5 stars than 3.*
In true Chip Zdarsky style, this was witty and amusing enough to garner a chuckle at times.
The ending felt a bit like a rushed happily ever after and it felt at odds with the realistic start and grim middle of the story that was all steeped in the unfairness of reality. Don’t get me wrong, I love to see an underdog win, but when the win seems to come as easily and fittingly as this one did, it ended up undermining the whole realisticness of the story that made it appealing in the first place.
Overall, I just felt as though there was more that could’ve been done with the story. The way it started out was great as a lot of the storyline and dialogue were commentary on the treatment of real life comic creators given the short end of the stick when their creations became billion dollar blockbusters. About halfway through, the story became more about family ties which was still relatively interesting, but the last part of the story entered fantasy land and used a forced gambling debt insert into the storyline to hijack any hope of further commentary on the unfairness of company settlements and creator rights in the comic industry.
So this was an admirable attempt at a love letter to comic creators, especially because this was published on Substack first and included a list of comic IP that Zdarsky owns at the book.
In true Chip Zdarsky style, this was witty and amusing enough to garner a chuckle at times.
The ending felt a bit like a rushed happily ever after and it felt at odds with the realistic start and grim middle of the story that was all steeped in the unfairness of reality. Don’t get me wrong, I love to see an underdog win, but when the win seems to come as easily and fittingly as this one did, it ended up undermining the whole realisticness of the story that made it appealing in the first place.
Overall, I just felt as though there was more that could’ve been done with the story. The way it started out was great as a lot of the storyline and dialogue were commentary on the treatment of real life comic creators given the short end of the stick when their creations became billion dollar blockbusters. About halfway through, the story became more about family ties which was still relatively interesting, but the last part of the story entered fantasy land and used a forced gambling debt insert into the storyline to hijack any hope of further commentary on the unfairness of company settlements and creator rights in the comic industry.
So this was an admirable attempt at a love letter to comic creators, especially because this was published on Substack first and included a list of comic IP that Zdarsky owns at the book.
July 11, 2024
Well, this one's a little on the nose.
The story of an aging comic book creator and his kids as they attempt, with various degrees of success, to go up against the comic book company that owns the rights to his characters. It's a solid story, the characters are neat (the mom had me laughing every time she showed up), and there's some villainous roles that border on caricature, but I get what Zdarsky was going for. A comic about making comics, and all the problems that come with it.
The story of an aging comic book creator and his kids as they attempt, with various degrees of success, to go up against the comic book company that owns the rights to his characters. It's a solid story, the characters are neat (the mom had me laughing every time she showed up), and there's some villainous roles that border on caricature, but I get what Zdarsky was going for. A comic about making comics, and all the problems that come with it.
March 23, 2023
At the start this mostly felt like a kick in the groin to the comic companies who screwed over the rights of their writers and artists...
However as the story developed....it became much more than that.
A family comes together...and where it's headed looks interesting..
And if you've ever wanted to punch a movie star..this book is for you!
However as the story developed....it became much more than that.
A family comes together...and where it's headed looks interesting..
And if you've ever wanted to punch a movie star..this book is for you!
May 4, 2023
In what feels like a Sex Criminals spin-off, Chip Zdarsky gets very meta. The plot of Public Domain: former comic artist gets screwed over as giant conglomerate that bought the rights to his comic punches out pale imitations for huge profit. Artist's son is outraged, artist not so much. Corporate fuckery mixed with familial growth.
It's great stuff! While not your typical comic book read, Public Domain is nonetheless compelling and powerful. I mean, who doesn't love to root for the little guy? Zdarsky throws in a few smart twists to keep you on your toes even as the plot rarely veers from the expected. Zdarsky's art is well suited to a low-action series like this. I'm curious to see where the series will go from here - this first volume felt kind of sufficient.
It's great stuff! While not your typical comic book read, Public Domain is nonetheless compelling and powerful. I mean, who doesn't love to root for the little guy? Zdarsky throws in a few smart twists to keep you on your toes even as the plot rarely veers from the expected. Zdarsky's art is well suited to a low-action series like this. I'm curious to see where the series will go from here - this first volume felt kind of sufficient.
January 17, 2023
Originally published on the digital platform Substack, Public Domain centers on the Dallas family, who are trying to live their lives as the father Syd toils away on his comic book “The Domain”, spawning a franchise of movies, toys and games without Syd seeing much return from it. When Syd’s two sons, Miles and Dave, discover that their father still technically owns “The Domain”, they wonder if they should convince him to fight for their family’s legacy.
Please click here for my full review.
Please click here for my full review.
March 23, 2025
Well this was a pleasant surprise. A superhero comic where the heroes are comic artists and the villains are publishing house directors. Sound like a stretch? It’s not. Zdarsky’s fun, snappy dialogue makes this story a breeze to enjoy.
4/5
4/5
June 13, 2024
Enjoyed this, but not sure I'll continue.
It definitely reads like a 'screw you!' to the big publishing companies, and Miles is a pretty horrendous protagonist. Dad is very wholesome, but the brother is the real star here I think. He's a great character doing interesting things.
The story was a little bland for my tastes - lots of ideas but not a lot of action. Also not as funny as I hoped.
I did enjoy reading it, but nothing has captivated me enough to add the next one to my list.
It definitely reads like a 'screw you!' to the big publishing companies, and Miles is a pretty horrendous protagonist. Dad is very wholesome, but the brother is the real star here I think. He's a great character doing interesting things.
The story was a little bland for my tastes - lots of ideas but not a lot of action. Also not as funny as I hoped.
I did enjoy reading it, but nothing has captivated me enough to add the next one to my list.
March 25, 2023
I made it through about half of this. Basically, this is about the son of a Stan Lee-esk comic creator who isn’t getting paid because of an archaic, exploitive contract he made back in the day. Then, after the largest movie premiere ever (supposedly), the assistant to the man who owns the rights to the property finds documentation that the rights may belong to the creator after-all. All the while the main son guy is pissed off and broke and making terrible decisions.
And I just did not care.
It’s a very plodding, low stakes, and features pretty boring art. Probably a novel about something like this, I would be interested in. But this just failed to keep my attention, unfortunately.
And I just did not care.
It’s a very plodding, low stakes, and features pretty boring art. Probably a novel about something like this, I would be interested in. But this just failed to keep my attention, unfortunately.
March 7, 2023
4 1/2 - Un autre très bon Zdarsky. Pour tous les fans de comics. Je dirais un genre d’hommage à Kirby et ses droits d’auteurs perdus.
January 20, 2023
A FUN AND WELL WRITTEN COMEDY/DRAMA, GIVING THE COMIC BIZ A NICE BREAK FROM THE USUAL THEMES/GENRES.
I was lucky enough to catch this series as a tik-tok recommendation, and I can’t believe more people aren't talking about this. The series shows Miles Dallas, who is a 30 year old journalist, being assigned with the job to interview Blake Powers, a movie star who is starring in the latest superhero blockbuster, The Domain. Miles doesn’t want to do the job, and feels like the only reason he was assigned it was because his father, Syd Dallas, is the co-creator of the original comics the billion dollar movies are based off. Miles is pretty ticked off as he knows his dad doesn’t own the rights to any of what he’s created, and doesn't get a penny from the movies or merchandise. After getting really riled up at his interview he ends up punching the movie star, Blake Powers. He gets arrested, and is bailed out by his brother Dave. The two reminisce and go to the airport to pick up their father from a red carpet event (in which he is never acknowledged), and after all three are together, Syd gets a text message with a picture of an old document and on that document it shows that Syd Dallas owns The Domain.
Chip Zdarsky is both writer and artist on this series and to start with his writing, I think it was brilliant. The whole story is an obvious meta take on the underappreciated creators in the comic industry. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster being ripped off by DC for the creation of Superman, Stan Lee taking more credit than he deserved compared to Jack Kirby at Marvel, Bob Kane being credited for the creation of Batman, leaving Bill Finger unnoticed for almost 80 years and so many more. It’s a story we’ve all witnessed before only in real life, and in the exact medium this story is being produced. I think that sense of familiarity is what makes this story so enjoyable to me, and the added comedic themes only make it more of a blast to read. The comedy isn’t anything over the top and is written really well. It’s not just dumb nonsense, it’s small details that some of the best comedy show writers implement. The characters are also really well done, and in cases like Syd and Dave, super likable and easy to root for. That’s not to say that Miles isn’t a good character but he is written to be a bit more difficult and has room to grow within himself. From reviews I’ve seen on this series this meta comic industry type story has been done before and a lot of people then take credit away from Zdarsky, and although I can’t speak on how true it is since I’ve not read those other series’s, I think Zdarsky still writes a great book. It goes in a direction that I didn’t expect, and also from the same reviews I was just mentioning, they too said that was the unique aspect of Zdarsky’s storytelling.
This was my first time seeing Zdarsky’s artwork (outside his covers for ‘Spider-Man: Life Story’) and I found it to be alright. It wasn’t anything crazy. but for the story it didn’t need to be.
Overall; This was a very pleasant change of pace for my reading and I love how Zdarsky writes this series. This first volume ends on a really high note and leaves me excited for the future issues/volumes.
I was lucky enough to catch this series as a tik-tok recommendation, and I can’t believe more people aren't talking about this. The series shows Miles Dallas, who is a 30 year old journalist, being assigned with the job to interview Blake Powers, a movie star who is starring in the latest superhero blockbuster, The Domain. Miles doesn’t want to do the job, and feels like the only reason he was assigned it was because his father, Syd Dallas, is the co-creator of the original comics the billion dollar movies are based off. Miles is pretty ticked off as he knows his dad doesn’t own the rights to any of what he’s created, and doesn't get a penny from the movies or merchandise. After getting really riled up at his interview he ends up punching the movie star, Blake Powers. He gets arrested, and is bailed out by his brother Dave. The two reminisce and go to the airport to pick up their father from a red carpet event (in which he is never acknowledged), and after all three are together, Syd gets a text message with a picture of an old document and on that document it shows that Syd Dallas owns The Domain.
Chip Zdarsky is both writer and artist on this series and to start with his writing, I think it was brilliant. The whole story is an obvious meta take on the underappreciated creators in the comic industry. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster being ripped off by DC for the creation of Superman, Stan Lee taking more credit than he deserved compared to Jack Kirby at Marvel, Bob Kane being credited for the creation of Batman, leaving Bill Finger unnoticed for almost 80 years and so many more. It’s a story we’ve all witnessed before only in real life, and in the exact medium this story is being produced. I think that sense of familiarity is what makes this story so enjoyable to me, and the added comedic themes only make it more of a blast to read. The comedy isn’t anything over the top and is written really well. It’s not just dumb nonsense, it’s small details that some of the best comedy show writers implement. The characters are also really well done, and in cases like Syd and Dave, super likable and easy to root for. That’s not to say that Miles isn’t a good character but he is written to be a bit more difficult and has room to grow within himself. From reviews I’ve seen on this series this meta comic industry type story has been done before and a lot of people then take credit away from Zdarsky, and although I can’t speak on how true it is since I’ve not read those other series’s, I think Zdarsky still writes a great book. It goes in a direction that I didn’t expect, and also from the same reviews I was just mentioning, they too said that was the unique aspect of Zdarsky’s storytelling.
This was my first time seeing Zdarsky’s artwork (outside his covers for ‘Spider-Man: Life Story’) and I found it to be alright. It wasn’t anything crazy. but for the story it didn’t need to be.
Overall; This was a very pleasant change of pace for my reading and I love how Zdarsky writes this series. This first volume ends on a really high note and leaves me excited for the future issues/volumes.
January 22, 2023
3.5*
Interesting start. Will be interesting to see where it goes from here.
Interesting start. Will be interesting to see where it goes from here.
July 22, 2024
Chip Zdarsky desenvolve em Domínio Público uma espécie de "A Vingança dos Nerds" contra as grandes corporações que estiveram por trás de todos os acordos e contratos assinados entre artistas e empresas que se aproveitaram dos criadores. Também estão ali os Bob Kanes e os Stan Leeses que se aproveitaram de seus parceiros dupla de criação para se alçarem a um status muito maior do que mereciam. E, claro, também está ali aquela paixão indescritível pelos quadrinhos que destrói os sentimentos de qualquer um que não se torna um dominador da cadeia produtiva dessa indústria vital. Porque apesar de perderem tudo, de estarem sendo desprezados pelos outros, os criadores de quadrinhos ainda, lá debaixo da terra do poço, comendo dejetos, ainda querem produzir quadrinhos. E isso é uma constante em qualquer história que fale dos percalços de se fazer quadrinhos. Domínio Público é mais um lembrete a todos de que o mercado e a cena de quadrinhos é ingrata e ainda assim você quer amá-la e fazer parte dela.
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November 10, 2022The co-creator of popular superhero the Domain, after a lifetime of being thrown crumbs by the corporation which made a fortune from his ideas, finds out that legally, he owns it after all. Assuming he can bring himself to fight for what's right, in exactly the way his creation would but he never really has. Complicating matters are his two sons, neither of whose lives have quite gone to plan. The time-frame doesn't really work – he's in his seventies, which puts him in the comics field a bit late to create the sort of universally recognised Superman, Spider-Man types the Domain is obviously intended to represent, and equally you can't push the modern setting back too far because the whole premise hinges on the discrepancy between modern superhero ubiquity and the modest cheques of yesteryear. Plus, it can sometimes be a bit Garth Marenghi when it comes to subtext, not least in the scene where his long-suffering wife tells him he needs to fight for his creations, both his sons and the Domain. But it's great to see Zdarsky drawing again, on his own series this time, and it's not like comics are awash with black comedies about intellectual property, which is ironic when you could say that's exactly how the industry should be described. I also enjoy the element of biting the hand that feeds, given Zdarsky is currently writing for both Marvel and DC too. Most of all, though, while Zdarsky's darker work can be hit and miss, the guy's comedy chops have never been in doubt, as when the more artistically inclined son changes medium: "This is pretty fun! Kind of like tattooing, but I don't have to slow down and the paper doesn't yell at me!"
June 13, 2023
Chip Zdarsky is one of the preeminent comic book creators today. Mainstream fans started noticing about the time he worked on Spectacular Spider-Man. Recently he’s been writing Daredevil and Batman simultaneously (a kind of Frank Miller fever dream). So I’ve been keeping tabs on him (my favorite work of his would be Batman: The Knight, another take on the origins that covers the training and the psychology of what drove Bruce Wayne onward). Public Domain is a riff on Jack Kirby and/or Steve Ditko, the modern version of Bob Kane and Bill Finger, the creators of Batman. Kirby and Ditko were Stan Lee’s most famous collaborators and never get the kind of attention Lee always gave himself as creators of Marvel’s most famous characters. Three decades ago comic book creators were pitching epic battles for greater recognition and control of their work. This is the basis for Alan Moore’s disgruntled relationship with the medium. This is what led to Image, and creators like Jeff Smith operating almost solely on their own. Zdarsky’s version is fairly simplistic but it covers a fictional version pretty well.
August 9, 2023
I enjoyed this critical look at the way comic creators were/are ripped off by companies. It is reflective of the story everyone should know about Superman and his creators. Creator rights and the disputed ownership of “creations” is a tricky subject and I don’t know much about the legal guidelines then nor now.
But this is more than a satirical examination/expose in that the characters in the family involved have diverse personalities and surprise the reader with their decisions and actions. For me, it became more a story about family.
But it won’t stick with me for long. (And I cannot determine if its designation as Volume 1 means there will be more story. I would think not as it ends quite nicely.)
But this is more than a satirical examination/expose in that the characters in the family involved have diverse personalities and surprise the reader with their decisions and actions. For me, it became more a story about family.
But it won’t stick with me for long. (And I cannot determine if its designation as Volume 1 means there will be more story. I would think not as it ends quite nicely.)
November 1, 2022
Maybe Zdarsky's best work yet -- a glimpse at the movers, shakers, has-beens and never-weres of the modern comic industry that feels deeply empathetic and true while also effortlessly being one of the funniest books in years.
July 26, 2023
This is a great story about comic books and the conflicting struggles about telling "superhero stories". This tale brings to life the people behind the publication of the stories.
November 2, 2024
Esse gibi conta a história da família Dallas. Milles Dallas é um jornalista de entretenimento, e aparentemente não está muito feliz com sua profissão. Ele recebeu a pauta de entrevistar o protagonista do mais novo filme do Domínio, um personagem de histórias em quadrinhos que está em todo lugar e tem uma legião de fãs, mas isso não é algo que ele gostaria de fazer. Acontece que o pai do Milles, Syd, é o desenhista que ajudou a criar o personagem pras histórias em quadrinhos, e não ganha nada do lucro que seu personagem gera. E Milles, depois de descobrir um documento que pode mudar tudo, declarou guerra a poderosa editora dona dos direitos do Domínio e recuperar o que é da sua família por direito. Domínio Público conta a história desse desenhista que só estava preocupado em contar boas histórias e receber o salário do mês, numa época em que histórias em quadrinhos não eram essa fonte de dinheiro pro mundo do entretenimento. O Zdarsky é um excelente contador de histórias, apesar do que sua passagem por personagens do mainstream pode indicar. E ele desenha muito bem, foi assim que ele começou a ficar conhecido. Em Domínio Público ele junta seus belos desenhos com um tom de sarcasmo que esse tipo de obra necessita. Os paralelos que podemos fazer com histórias que realmente aconteceram são inúmeros, e esse primeiro volume foi um grande começo.
July 22, 2024
I never was a fan of Zdarsky. For some reason, I think he's one of those creators who is just full of themselves, so I usually avoid anything with his name on it. But since this was already on my desk, I gave it a shot... and it was a pleasant surprise!
I am wondering if Zdarsky had to wait until our pal Stan kicked the bucket because this is a direct shot at the greedy publishers and the a-holes who just went along with it while screwing other creators in the process. I am inclined to see where it goes next, as the first volume was entertaining.
The story revolves around the family of the original creator of the biggest and the most popular superhero. Both of his adult sons are more or less failures, but seeing their dad not getting a cent from all the movies, merch, and shit doesn't really sit well with them. And when they came across an interesting document, things are set in motion.
I am wondering if Zdarsky had to wait until our pal Stan kicked the bucket because this is a direct shot at the greedy publishers and the a-holes who just went along with it while screwing other creators in the process. I am inclined to see where it goes next, as the first volume was entertaining.
The story revolves around the family of the original creator of the biggest and the most popular superhero. Both of his adult sons are more or less failures, but seeing their dad not getting a cent from all the movies, merch, and shit doesn't really sit well with them. And when they came across an interesting document, things are set in motion.
May 19, 2023
I read this as it was being released in single issues, but months later and I still think about this book by the great Chip Zdarsky.
A wonderful and hard tale about the rights and ownership of creating superheroes and utilizing them in movies, shows, etc.
This made me feel bad for creators and wishing these things were better for them. Creators of comics deserve better and more.
That being said, this isn't a dark read by any means, it's quite fun actually and each issue makes you want to keep reading. If anything this is about hope and not letting anything stop you from doing what makes you happy.
A wonderful and hard tale about the rights and ownership of creating superheroes and utilizing them in movies, shows, etc.
This made me feel bad for creators and wishing these things were better for them. Creators of comics deserve better and more.
That being said, this isn't a dark read by any means, it's quite fun actually and each issue makes you want to keep reading. If anything this is about hope and not letting anything stop you from doing what makes you happy.
January 29, 2024
I thought this was a decent story. I like that it is a contained arc. There are references to the overall comic industry and how creators own their stories in this book. One thing that I had trouble with was distinguishing the flashbacks from the current story. Although I thought there were a couple amusing parts, I don't know if I'd continue reading the story. I feel like I got enough out of it from this volume.
Read for a graphic novel book club
Read for a graphic novel book club
April 27, 2025
I worry Chip Zdarsky has got me hooked an another series yet again.
Full of commentary on the state of the comics industry at the moment, whilst still being funny and having an engaging story at its centre. Audibly upset to find out I'd run out of pages and will be on a quest to aquire the next volume as soon as possible.
Full of commentary on the state of the comics industry at the moment, whilst still being funny and having an engaging story at its centre. Audibly upset to find out I'd run out of pages and will be on a quest to aquire the next volume as soon as possible.
March 29, 2023
A comic about comics written and drawn by Chip Zdarsky? I mean, that's right in my wheelhouse. This is funny, dark, bitter, and hopeful. You won't like everyone, but you'll like everyone, if that makes any sense. I hope we get more of this series.
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