Moonstone and Dynamite Both Publishing ‘The Phantom’
While last weekend’s Wizard World Chicago convention didn’t feature much in the way of news, there were a few announcements that had people talking. Among them was Saturday’s announcement by Dynamite Entertainment that the publisher had acquired the rights to Lee Falk’s The Phantom comic strips. The announcement created quite a buzz, as publisher Moonstone Books was under the impression that they still had the license to The Phantom.
Well, according to ICv2, both parties are correct, as neither publisher owns the exclusive rights to the character, and both plan to publish Phantom stories down the road… which should be interesting.
When Dynamite Comics announced that it was publishing a Phantom comic book at Wizard World Chicago, a Moonstone representative contacted by ICv2 was unaware of the changes in the Phantom publishing program. But after the show, Moonstone contacted King Features and discovered that neither Moonstone or Dynamite had an exclusive license, so Moonstone could continue with its publishing program.
Wonder how they're going to keep from crossing swords (sorry, I mean stories). ;-)
If I were Ardden Entertainment I'd lock down those "exclusive rights" to Flash Gordon. And if I was Moonstone I'd be looking for a new business affairs lawyer.
Perfectly consistent with my relationship with King Features. I wouldn't trust those people if they were the only licensing outfit in town.But I was more perturbed about Nicky's misinformation at the Dynamite panel — the stuff about returning The Phantom to his original adventures outside the jungle, and the bullshit about DC making Falk move The Phantom to the jungle because it copied Batman, which was created three years later. The Phantom was ALWAYS based in the jungle, although that jungle was moved from a place that was, vaguely, India to a place that was definitely Africa. Those earliest Phantom stories have been reprinted a great many times and have been available online. They're in comics fans' DNA.
Reminds me of when DC was publishing a Shadow series and Marvel came out with a Shadow graphic novel at the same time.
This is a FANTASTIC idea! King Features can license The Phantom to EVERYBODY who publishes comics. Way to spread the branding, King! Seriously, while I feel for Moonstone and Dynamite, did anyone in their legal camps think it odd that the word "exclusive" wasn't mentioned anywhere near the American publishing rights section of the contract? Maybe Rob Liefeld could spring for a license too. THAT would be interesting. :)