Eisner Award-winning comic creator Chip Zdarsky is currently playing with two of the most popular toys in the Big Two's sandbox: DC's Batman and Marvel's Daredevil. While his work with The Dark Knight and The Man Without Fear is receiving praise from critics, fans, and comic retailers, he recently released Public Domain, a creator-owned comic published by Image that Zdarsky wrote, illustrated, colored, and lettered.
Public Domain is a sharp yet funny commentary on the ongoing clash between creatives and big corporations in both the comics and film industries. To celebrate the release of the limited series' collected edition, CBR chatted with the acclaimed creator about the important topics that are addressed in the series. The end result is a refreshingly open and honest conversation about whether he believes the comic book and film industries are capable of realistic change while also delving into what makes the experience of reading a comic so special.
Public Domain humorously addresses some of the bleakest things that have plagued the industry, particularly when it comes to the treatment of creators. How long have you been wanting to tell this story? Why is now, unfortunately, the right time to have fans read it?
Chip Zdarsky: I've had the idea for a couple of years, but my schedule was so overwhelming that I figured I'd only be able to dig into it in 2023/'24. But then Substack offered me a grant, so I rolled up my sleeves, tore them off, and got to work! Now I'm working on the second and third arcs, like a sucker!
I don't know if this is the right time, necessarily. I probably sailed right by the 'right time' since comic book movies have dominated the cultural landscape for, what, 10-15 years now? I wish I'd been working on this years ago, honestly!
While there are a lot of ugly aspects of this industry, the joy and imagination that comes from reading a good comic offers invaluable escapism and potentially even inspiration. What is it about the experience of reading a comic that makes it unlike any other form of storytelling?
It's the ability to linger -- to really take in what you're consuming. A comic can take you five minutes to read or an hour. You can delve into the details of a panel or just get caught up in the story. It's art made by one person or a small group, which makes it feel intimate, even if it's something as big as Superman or Spider-Man. Comics! They're neat!
Do you think the industry is capable of real change to improve the treatment and compensation of creators?
Why would it change? What's the incentive for giant companies to have better practices? Bad press? We've seen plenty of those stories, and the audience will still pay money to watch the movies and buy the toys. The general public just doesn't care, or if they do care, they don't care enough to deny themselves their entertainment.
Honestly, I could spend hours delving into the roadblocks and possible ways around them, but a lot of it comes down to this: if you're a company trading on the stock market, you don't do things because they're 'right,' you do them because it will increase profits for your shareholders. Once in a blue moon, you have someone within that system who cares about creators and does their best to look out for them, like a Paul Levitz or a Jenette Kahn, but it's getting harder and harder every day for a variety of reasons.
When Miles attends the Eminent Domain press junket on behalf of the National Globe, we hear about other outlets like "Fanball Lickerz" and "Basement Sexual Jedis," which obviously feels like a commentary on the current state of entertainment press versus more traditional press. If you're open to it, I'd love to hear you share your thoughts on the current state of comics press and fandom.
I mean, that was really just a joke about the names! Like, when it comes time to put pull quotes on a book of mine, it always feels hilarious to type out something like, "An insightful look into the interior lives of the characters -Monkeys Fighting Robots.' And that's not even a slag against that crew! It's just a funny disconnect for me as an old-man creator who used to work for newspapers, I guess.
Side note: Can you imagine being the first person to have to put 'Aint It Cool News' on their film poster back in 1998? It must have shattered their mind!
Anyway, for the most part, I tend to ignore comic news sites. Sorry. I get the need for quick, clickbait articles, but what am I going to take away from those as a creator? Why would I click a headline that says, 'This Batman Villain Says The One Thing Batman Doesn't Want To Hear?' Like, there's zero part of me that cares to read an article that just tells me what happened in a couple of panels in a comic that came out this week. Maybe I'm the exception! But in any case, there's nothing for me there.
At this point in my life, I really only care about investigative articles, well-reasoned columns, and in-depth interviews about the history and process. There's not a lot of that out there. But also, there's not a lot of money to be made off of those, hence the scarcity.
Despite comic book characters taking over pop culture, the concept of going to a comic shop and regularly following comics is still an alien concept to a vast majority of moviegoers. Why do you think that is? Do you believe there is more that publishers can do to help inspire these fans to start reading comics?
It's too easy to armchair quarterback these companies when the reality is that the publishing sides are dealing with a ton of problems and variables and are doing what they can to keep the lights on and their bosses happy. I love the people I work with at Marvel, DC, and Image. They love comics, and everyone wants this industry to thrive and are doing their best to make that happen.
But look, I have ideas. Of course, I do! Every comic creator and fan does. There's a part of me that would love to be put in charge of a company and take big swings toward getting more readers into these books, even if I'd likely fail. But that's not going to happen, so all I can do is make suggestions behind the scenes, not in public, and hope some of them get traction.
James Gunn recommending specific collections on social media after announcing the DCU slate has been incredibly refreshing. It finally gives me a little bit of hope for how comics will be promoted with movies -- at least with DC Studios. Do you think there's hope for Hollywood to finally start showing the publishing divisions more support?
Man, James is a real bright spot, isn't he? Years ago, he tweeted some nice words about my Howard The Duck run and was kind enough to answer some questions when I was pitching the movie with Lea Thompson. The fact that he took the time to respond to a comic creator and does the same for others in the comic industry really speaks to his character. He's a fan and uses his platform to spread the word about how great comics can be. I can't think of a better ambassador.
But again, we can't confuse a person with a company. James giving those books shoutouts is great! But these companies are like mini-companies within bigger companies, and having one part help the other in an official capacity isn't as straightforward as you'd think. Behind the scenes, I continually run into situations that I expect to be easy but end up being incredibly hard because they involve other divisions, byzantine agreements, and lawyers.
"Based on the hit comic..." How many studios or networks have already tried to turn Public Domain into a series or movie?
"Hey, kids! You think SUPERHEROES are exciting?! Wait 'til you see how they're MADE!"
Let's say a fan reads Public Domain and wants to help address some of the issues that face the industry. What would you suggest they do?
Call your senator!
I mean, buying Public Domain is a good start. Reading creator-owned works is pretty essential to both supporting creators, the medium, and comic shops. Getting out of your comfort zone can be incredibly rewarding in the type of art and media you consume.
Is there anything else you'd like to say to all the comic fans reading this interview?
Uh, check out Batman #132 and Daredevil #8, in stores now?
Public Domain vol. 1 is on sale now. And yes, Batman #132 and Daredevil #8 are available as well.