Comments on: No 70th Anniversary for Superman?

By: Sean D.

Sean D. — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:53:06 +0000

Not doing anything to promote the 70th anniversary didn't shock me. Ignoring the 30th anniversary of Superman the Movie (Never too late to do an adaption folks.) seemed a bigger surprise.

By: Joe S. Walker

Joe S. Walker — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:16:09 +0000

In a situation where every multiple of 25 is an "anniversary" issue (why not every multiple of 10? why not celebrate that most books make it to issue 2?) one less empty event should count as a relief.

By: Bright-Raven

Bright-Raven — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:38:13 +0000

Gee, Brian, do you think you'll want to celebrate YOUR seventieth birthday with an extravaganza, or do you think you'll prefer it to be quiet, with little fuss or muss?

By: Lothor

Lothor — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:47:49 +0000

round-number-issue-number-milesonte
I meant milestone, obviously.

By: Lothor

Lothor — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:39:01 +0000

FWIW (darn little) regarding anniversary celebrations: 5 years is FOREVER compared to some. The Incredible Hulk celebrated the 30th anniversary of the character in issue 393 and then the round-number-issue-number-milesonte in 400.

The copyright situation for Superman is confusing because of (and confused by) the fact that it was not originally made in a work-for-hire situation, unlike Mickey Mouse. That was written about to death recently though, what with the resolution of the most recent lawsuit, so I'll leave it at that.

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:55:12 +0000

i seem to remember reading somewhere that characters owned by a corporation, as opposed to an individual, can be prevented from entering the public domain.

No, they enter the public domain when the copyright expires.

By: bengrimm

bengrimm — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:23:44 +0000

i seem to remember reading somewhere that characters owned by a corporation, as opposed to an individual, can be prevented from entering the public domain.

By: McK

McK — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:43:36 +0000

Actually they do have anniversary specials planned. However, Frank Quitely, Jim Lee, and J.G. Jones are drawing them. Looks like they just may make it out for the 75th, but no promises.

By: hey

hey — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:08:29 +0000

Wutabout Supergirl? It's her 50th next year; I realize that they've already given Kara quite the boost with two comics ... three if you count the new Justice League, and she's making appearances galore ... and I don't mean to be greedy because I'm just happy she's alive and well ... but do you think they'll do anything significant for it?

By: ACFP Junior - JRX

ACFP Junior - JRX — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:04:38 +0000

Here in Brazil, the publisher that have DC publishing license are doing a special collection for this 70th anniversary for Superman (and are planning doing the same for Batman next year). We also had our special 70th anniversary for the first time that DC was published here in Brazil.

By: jazzbo

jazzbo — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:09:53 +0000

Ah, I always forget about the difference between trademark and copyright. I still wouldn't be surprised about another extension in copyright, when you consider all the properties created in the 30s and 40s which are still around today. I know just because Steamboat Willie falls into public domain doesn't mean I can start publishing my own version of Mickey Mouse comics, but there's a lot of big corporations with money at stake in getting copyright further extended. And it's been proven time and time again that enough money can get you what you want from the government. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next 10-20 years.

By: KRose

KRose — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:02:28 +0000

Well, at least they're not celebrating his 70th like they are celebrating the Legion's 50th - by canceling two of their comics and delaying the other into next year.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:02:27 +0000

What, killing Pa Kent wasn't a big enough celebration for you?

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:35:10 +0000

Yeah, they'll keep trademark, but the question was just about copyright, right?

If folks really want a detailed examination, here's my FAQ on the topic:

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/03/30/superman-copyright-faq/

By: Blackjak

Blackjak — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:31:21 +0000

Apologies! I thought the trademark reverted to the Seigel family in 2013... and the copyright went Public domain...
My bad...

By: Matt Bird

Matt Bird — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:16:01 +0000

Brian, you say "no ifs, ands or buts", but actually there's a pretty big "but" (I like big "but"s and I cannot lie): They'll lost copyright but keep trademark, just as Disney will keep trademark on Mickey even if "Steamboat Willie" finally enters the public domain. The best example of this is "Tarzan". I was surprised to discover recently that the first five of the 24 Tarzan novels have now entered the public domain. Lo and behold, the market hasn't been flooded with Tarzan porn and unauthorized sequels, presumably because of trademark. In fact, the ERB estate seems to be going strong and continues to profitably license the character. So everything's cool, right? DC and Disney can relax?

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:02:41 +0000

Would Disney LIKE an extension of copyright?

Sure.

Will they get ANOTHER one?

I don't think so.

There was enough publicity about the last Disney-driven extension that I think that 95 years is the final frontier.

That still gives Disney until 2023, which is pretty darn long!

By: jazzbo

jazzbo — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:53:11 +0000

Mickey Mouse is older than Superman, right? I gotta think Disney would be lobbying pretty hard to change the copyright laws so that they don't have to share Mickey, which would in turn benefit companies such as DC - TimeWarner. I'd be pretty surprised if a change isn't made. I'm sure back when the copyright laws were formed, it was pretty much unthinkable that a company would still be around and using a character that long after its creation.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:44:20 +0000

"If smallville makes it to the 75th that will be a miracle (that would take 13 season by my quick math, which is extremely extremely long for tv)"

Forget Smallville, if the CW makes it to the 75th it'll be a major miracle. After losing Smackdown, they're now regularly getting beaten in the ratings by MyNetwork TV.

By: Grico

Grico — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:37:02 +0000

Yeah probably waiting until 75, but now seems like a good synergy time with Smallville still on. You could have done a legion of super heroes tie in while that was still on as well. If smallville makes it to the 75th that will be a miracle (that would take 13 season by my quick math, which is extremely extremely long for tv)