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Public Domain #2
- Writer:
- Chip Zdarsky
- Artist:
- Chip Zdarsky
- Letterer:
- Chip Zdarsky
- Cover Artist:
- Chip Zdarsky
- Publisher:
- Image Comics
- Price:
- $3.99
- Release Date:
- 2022-07-27
- Colorist:
- Chip Zdarsky
For the past decade, superhero movies have swept the world, making an enormous impact on the pop culture landscape. People now swarm movie theatres, buy merch, and proudly flaunt their favorite fandom as production studios eagerly lap up the money. Meanwhile, the creators are often sidelined at PR events and, more times than not, are paid insultingly meager lump sums. Current Batman and Daredevil writer Chip Zdarsky highlights this precise epidemic in the Hollywood community, getting down into the ugly side of show business. Created by Chip Zdarsky in association with Image Comics, Public Domain #2 gives one hapless creator a chance to win back what he deserves.
The previous issue's bombshell revelation has left the Dallas family with a conundrum in Public Domain #2. Syd Dallas, the creator of the superhero comic book The Domain, is content with what he has. But an old contract claiming Syd to be the owner of Domain's rights is dividing his family. His youngest son, Miles, wants to contest Singular Comics' claim on the property, while his other son backs him. Standing at a crossroad, Syd turns to his wife. She wants him to care more for his creations, including his sons. Meanwhile, Miles visits Singular's office with an ultimatum.
Only Chip Zdarsky can make a story about intellectual property so compelling that it starts feeling factual. Steeped in reality, Public Domain #2 shows a multifaceted view of a family torn by something as simple as old paperwork, opening up cracks that run deeper than memories can serve. While the first issue was satirical and made fun of big production houses, the second issue brings a more serious tone and explores the complexities of legal proceedings. Syd may be happy with the love that hardcore fans shower him with, but deep down, Miles feels that Jerry Jasper and Singular robbed his family of fortunes that could have eased their lives. But there is something more that Miles is hiding, something that is driving him to the edge.
As an artist, Chip Zdarsky keeps the panels clean, using just the minimum amount of details so that the readers are not distracted from the engaging drama. He gives every character a distinctive look and a realistic body type that instantly grounds the book. Zdarsky mainly focuses on the faces, taking care of minute features like the eye color or facial hairs and contorting them to his will, creating a range of emotions. Even suppressed feelings make their way onto the surface.
Being a comic book creator working for the Big Two, Public Domain #2 seems like a personal story for Chip Zdarsky that details both the pros and cons of the business. Reports on creators getting duped out of their rightfully earned money while their characters romp about in billion-dollar, multi-movie-spanning productions are unfortunately commonplace. But it stings when an artist shows the reality from their perspective. One cannot help but draw parallels between Syd and Jerry's relationship to what Bob Kane and Bill Finger had during and after their Batman days. With Public Domain #2 ending the way it does, it is no doubt a moment of catharsis.