Happy 35th Anniversary Challenge of the Super-Friends

[Earth 2 Chris]

^He does seem pretty torqued about it, where as almost every other contemporary DC creator appears to be happy with the character participation program. I know Marv Wolfman, George Perez, and Gerry Conway have stated in interviews they've done quite well with profits from their DC character creations.

Even later creators who have had similarly turbulent times with DC editorial, like Chuck Dixon, have nothing but good things to say about this aspect of company policy. Dixon bought a house from the money made off of Bane appearing in Batman and Robin (1997). I'm sure he did well with all the DKR hoopla too.

So I wonder what the deal is with Isabella?

Chris

[madmarva]

I read that once Nelson took over and moved Levitz out that The WB stopped making payments to creators for use of ideas and characters lifted from the comics to the films because WB wasn't contractually bound to pay them per work for hire agreements.

Evidently Levitz and perhaps Kahn before his were pushing the payments through at their discretion and ideas of fairness.

It's a shame there is no longer a piece of pie for the grunts on the front lines.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Wow, if that's true, that stinks. I know Wolfman and Perez made a boatload of cash from the original Teen Titans animated series. So they may not be making a dime from Teen Titans Go!

As recent as 2005, WB/DC cut Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams each a check for their contribution of Ra's Al Ghul to Batman Begins. They created Ra's BEFORE Kahn's implementation of the participation program, so this was quite unprecedented. What a policy reversal!

Chris

[madmarva]

My understanding is that it was all to do with WB tightening its grip on DC around 2009. It probably had a lot to do with the Superman lawsuits, too. Payments outside of the work for hire agreement might might cede some ownership rights of the intellectual property from DC to the creator or at least produce grounds for such a claim.

I read about this on a blog or perhaps even twitter, not a formal news story where facts were checked and what not. It is a reversal, but if participation payments weren't a contractual obligation but rather a bonus or nice gesture, then I can see the change from a corporate perspective, but it certainly sucks for the creators.

[LadyZod]

I miss the Cartoon Network/Boomerang commercials based on COTS...

"Solomon Grundy wants pants too!"

[The Toyroom]

I read that once Nelson took over and moved Levitz out that The WB stopped making payments to creators for use of ideas and characters lifted from the comics to the films because WB wasn't contractually bound to pay them per work for hire agreements.

Evidently Levitz and perhaps Kahn before his were pushing the payments through at their discretion and ideas of fairness.

It's a shame there is no longer a piece of pie for the grunts on the front lines.

I wish that Paul Levitz was still with the company in that capacity...and I think a lot of creators do as well..

[filmation batman fan]

I'd honestly rather have seen them over the "ethnic heroes", although I understand why they were there. They seem like stereotypes now, but back then they were a genuine attempt to give kids a diverse group of heroes to look up to. Never a bad thing.

I recall seeing a later SF short where Hawkgirl reappeared, and her costume was horribly miscolored. I think she had a purple helmet?!?

Chris

Ah yes. You are referring to the lost episode of 1983 called "An Unexpected Treasure." It was not only her final appearance on the Super Friends, but it was the only time ever in which the Wonder Twins got to work with Hawkman and Hawkgirl. Two boys find a space ship in a government owned property in the desert and get inside, only it takes off on auto pilot. Hawkgirl's look was definitely altered, but her headpiece was not purple, it was totally black. And she went from a red head to having blonde hair in that episode.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Ah okay. Maybe she was one of those retcon Hawk-people DC tried to patch up post-Hawkworld continuity with.

Chris

[madmarva]

^^ Yeah, Levitz was pro creator, which I think is best for the readers. He also wrote most of my favorite JSA stories. It's funny the guy who pushed Levitz out got the ax in the spring and a pro Levitz guy is now in charge of the conglomerate.