Public Domain Comics Redux

Or: I want my two dollars!

Hey, there! Periodic reminder that I’m Clay Adams, writer of BLAZING BLADE OF FRANKENSTEIN and DREAMQUEST, co-writer of CARMILLA UNBOUND, and co-editor of the NIGHTMARE THEATER horror anthology. You probably signed up for this newsletter on one of those Kickstarters… or maybe we met at a signing or con? In any event, glad you’re here. Pull up a seat, grab a beverage of your choice, and feast your eyes on the latest news…

I’m eager to get into the debate on public domain comics, but first…

I Want My Two Dollars!

As of this writing, we are TWO DOLLARS shy of hitting our second stretch goal for CARMILLA UNBOUND: 1984, in which we'll unlock a pin-up by original series artist Ismael Canales!

SFW version, but for stretch goal #3…

Frankly… I want my two dollars.

You can help us get there by clicking the button below:

Second, but not least

PRODIGAL SON #1, co-created by Martin Kove and Don Handfield, written by Don and me, with some gorgeous art by Alper Geçgel and Sercan Sarikaya, is in shops now...

Saddle up for the first chapter in this thrilling tale of revenge and redemption!

A twelve-year-old boy teams up with the meanest outlaw in the Old West to exact revenge on the gang that murdered his family in cold blood.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AMP COMICS: linkin.bio/ampcomics/

AMP publisher/not-a-member-of-Talking-Heads David Byrne says:

Haven’t been to my local shop yet, but thanks to Frequent Frier/killer creative George O’Connor, I have seen it in the wild:

In good company at Zenith Comics in Malden, MA

Get it while the gettin's good!

Public Domain Comics Redux

OK, as I said last time out, my missive about public domain comics generated a lot of discussion. So it’s time once again for…

Metropolis Mailbag!

My Kind of Weird’s Anthony Pollock is not a fan of Public Domain comics. He says:

It’s a lack of imagination and is appealing to the lowest common denominator…I see lots of the same rehashed stuff. Very little imagination is going on. A result of Kickstarter culture no doubt.

Obviously, I disagree! I see lots of imagination going on. The world needs more original stuff, for sure, but in a sea of choices, people like their comfort food.

And Kickstarter, like everything else, is subject to Sturgeon’s Law: 90% of everything is shit. But the gems are there if you look for them.

***

Adriano Ariganello gets right to the point:

I think what you're saying without saying it is that Batman (plus Superman and Wonder Woman, for that matter) should be in the public domain so we can play with them.

Wouldja believe we’re about a decade away from a plethora of bad Superman horror? "Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... YOUR WORST F*CKING NIGHTMARE!"

***

Cici Affini says:

I feel like the DCU has been trying to beat us to the punch on that one. 😄 Maybe we'll get some public domain stories about Superman using his powers to publish some hard hitting journalism.

Haven’t you heard, Cici? Journalism is dead! But hear me out…what if it were un-dead?

***

Melissa J Massey writes:

Playing around in the sandbox of public domain characters can be a lot of fun, and great creative exercise. But it's also comforting to know that it's okay to do your own thing too.

Oh, for sure, MJ! It’s more than okay to do your own thing. I’m a big believer in keeping old stories alive. That’s why I don’t mind remakes or sequels…but we need some fresh blood too.

***

And, finally, editor extraordinaire James Powell sez:

Just launch your next damn Kickstarter campaigns already. Give the people what they want, and do it faster, dammit! (We all want more teaser images too. Hint hint.)

I'm working on it! I'm working on it! Next ‘stack. I promise.

One For the Road

At the top, I told you about our second stretch goal for Carmilla. But what was Stretch Goal #1?

You unlocked it before we could announce it:

It's the age-old story of girl meets wolf.

Everyone who backs both CARMILLA UNBOUND: 1984 and Rob Multari’s Night Wolf #1-10 at a physical tier will get a physical copy of this 5x7 print featuring Carmilla and Night Wolf by artist Evan Scale, and digital backers will receive a hi-res digital version.

If you're not familiar with Night Wolf, here's what the critics say about it:

“One of the most innovative, well-written comics out there. Not just indies, but comics.” - Charlie McElvy (Creator, Spider-Squirrel & Trash Panda)

Remember, to snag the crossover print, you need to back both campaigns physically for a 5 x7 print or digitally for a digital version. So if you'd like a little extra swag in your bag, click the image above or...

CLICK HERE TO BACK NIGHT WOLF 1-10

CLICK HERE TO BACK CARMILLA UNBOUND: 1984

(We'll announce our second crossover print next week!)

OK, just got some AMAZING layouts from Fabio Ramacci in my inbox that I need to review for a long-simmering project that’s ready to boil…

Later, skaters!

-Clay