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.
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