Tue Apr 1, 2008 10:31AM10 comments ›
Tue Apr 1, 2008 — by Glenn Hauman
Superman To Be Published By ComicMix In Wake Of Legal Ruling
Reversion of copyright to Siegel estate means new adventures online
Brian Alvey spoiled the news, but now we can finally make the announcement:
In the wake of the recent landmark ruling returning 50-percent copyright ownership of Superman to the estate of Jerry Siegel, the Siegel estate has announced their first deal to publish Superman -- and we're proud to say, it's with us. Starting in time for the San Diego Comic-Con, we will be publishing new Superman stories.
Mike Grell, fresh off of drawing Supes for Action Comics #861 (pictured here) will be drawing the new series, making this the first time in 25 years that he will be drawing a series that he hasn't written himself. He will be starting as soon as he's done with his current commitment to Jon Sable Freelance. Dick Giordano is coming out of retirement to ink the series, alongside veteran inker Frank McLaughlin.
John Ostrander will be writing the initial debut of Superman, detailing how he fell through an interdimensional portal and ended up in Cynosure and Munden's Bar, where the usual confusion reigns until GrimJack intervenes to set things right. From there, he will be crossing over into various other universes (and series) all in an attempt to find his way back to his prime universe.
Mike Gold, ComicMix editor-in-chief, notes: "This will allow Clark to appear in all of our series-- Demons of Sherwood, EZ Street, The Adventures of Simone and Ajax, our recently relaunched Black Ice-- we can even work him into Trevor Von Eeden's upcoming biography of Jack Johnson."
Other talent connected to the ongoing stories will be announced in time for the New York Comic Con, although you'll hear about if first here on ComicMix. And of course, these will be free comics, just like all the rest of our series.
How does DC feel about this? Well, they really can't do anything as long as the Siegel estate pays 50-percent of the revenue earned to DC. Of course, we expect that the Siegel estate may take a few decades splitting the revenues and making sure DC gets its fair share. Turnabout is fair play, after all.
Jump to comments (10) 
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Comments (10)
Elayne Riggs (11:08 AM on Tue Apr 1, 2008)
Damn, I can't top that at all. But at least I have flying penguins over at my blog...
Vinnie Bartilucci (11:24 AM on Tue Apr 1, 2008)
Not since Robert Rodrguiez was annouced to be directing T3 has there been a better announcement.
I remember back in the day I revealed a rumor that DC had lost the rights to Wonder Woman due to a lapse in publishing that allowed the estate to cancel the deal. They announced that they had signed with Marvel, and DC claimed there had been negotiations while the contract was still valid. I posted that on 4/30, and promised more details in "two days".
Two days later, I explained that while DC could not prove a back-room deal, it did give them some latitude in what could and couldn't be used by Marvel. For example, they couldn't use the new (at the time) "WW logo" on her costume. And whan Marvel agreed, DC then said since the initials WW would remind people of that logo, they would have to remove them from the character's name. So marvel would begin publishing Onder Oman in a few months.
Now the sad part was, some people actually called DC and asked if it was true they'd lost the rights to Wonder Woman.
If it weren't for all these morals of mine, I could be a MILLIONAIRE by now, just taking advantage of people's naivete...
Lee Houston, Junior (1:27 PM on Tue Apr 1, 2008)
Although I'm happy for the Siegels, I'm guessing everyone is aware of today's date.
Glenn Hauman (11:12 PM on Wed Apr 2, 2008)
Sure, you say that now. Just remember, last year we ran this piece...
http://www.comicmix.com/news/2007/04/01/ellison-groth-sig...
...and six weeks later, they were in mediation.
Our track record on these things is not to be laughe-- okay, maybe it is to be laughed at. But that doesn't mean we're going to be wrong. No matter what those guys at Oni claim.
Andrew Pepoy (4:38 PM on Tue Apr 1, 2008)
I wonder if Ajax will fit in Beppo's costume? Does Simone get to dress up like Supergirl? Dibs on Super-Turtle!
Ah, if only.....
Glenn Hauman (5:14 PM on Tue Apr 1, 2008)
We're checking with the lawyers now. Best guess is that Simone can dress in his costume, but can't be called Supergirl.
On the other hand, if you want to do the story that says that Simone is the daughter of Clark and Lois, I think we're cool.
R. Maheras (5:37 PM on Tue Apr 1, 2008)
In a related decision, the rights for Krypto and Squeaky the Cat have reverted to Russ Maheras, an eccentric comics dilettante and raconteur from Chicago. Court records show that Maheras inherited the disputed rights from his uncle (twice removed), Ellis Harlanson, who, in 1976, allegedly won them in a Frisbee death match with an unnamed DC public relations executive.
“There was some question as to the validity of the ownership document, which was hand-written on DC stationery and signed with an X,” said Maheras. “But after a thorough legal review, testimony by three independent handwriting experts, a psychic reading, a side trip to Vegas, and corresponding all-night hot-tub party, the judge ruled in my favor.”
When asked what his plans were for the two venerable comics characters, Maheras said he planned to do a 300-issue series, “ala Cerebus.” And while he wouldn’t reveal any specific plot details, Maheras hinted that the storyline would involve, “a Cosmic Hairball, three pool cleaners, a magic dog collar, and an Austrian hoppy-toad named Arnold.”
Anonymous (10:47 AM on Tue Apr 1, 2008)
Nice April Fool's joke.
Anonymous (6:14 AM on Wed Apr 2, 2008)
Interesting post!
Marco M.
Anonymous (6:15 AM on Wed Apr 2, 2008)
Interesting post!
Marco M.
http://www.mellart.com