It was just yesterday that Dan Didio talked about the amount of ownership creators were feeling about their New 52 books… Something that everyone else in DC editorial might have done well to remember before announcing that Birds of Prey #4 would guest-star Batgirl. Which lead to this tweet from Batgirl writer Gail Simone:
And, when former Batgirl writer Bryan Miller asked why Babs was apparently wearing Stephanie’s costume, Gail replied:
Thankfully, Gail admitted that this was all “just trivial stuff, in the end. No worries,” but still: It might serve as a heads-up to DC editorial to check with creators before using their characters in future if you really want to keep that ownership mentality up…
September 14th, 2011 at 10:56 am
Wow, you know a transgression by DC must be really bad for Gail to break her usual consistent apologist stance toward the company.
September 14th, 2011 at 10:59 am
The odd thing is, I remember Simone also recently tweeted that she had a cool idea for a miniseries, but couldn’t do it because the characters weren’t available.
Leaving aside how fictional characters can have such busy schedules, why keep creators from using characters in some instances, and give them free rein to use the leads from other people’s books in others?
September 14th, 2011 at 11:01 am
Also, this kind of makes me wonder how much of the big picture DC writers are making up as they go along. I mean, this is supposed to reveal a major status quo change about Barbara’s relationship to the Birds of Prey and Simone’s only just finding out about it now?
September 14th, 2011 at 11:27 am
Yes, DC really needs to make one of the few big name writers it has left angry.
September 14th, 2011 at 11:44 am
I CAN’T WAIT TO READ HOW BARBARA GORDON GOT THE USED OF HER LEG AND WHY SHE DECIDE TO RETURN TO HER BATGIRL ID. IT WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE THE WRITER WILL TELL WHAT HAPPENED TO HER ORACLE’S ID. ORACLE WAS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTED DC CHARACTER. SHE WAS ABLE TO HANDLE BIGGER FOE. WILL STEPHANIE RETURN TO HER SPOILER’S ID.I HOPE THAT GAIL WILL ABLE TO USED ORACLE IN FUTURE OF BATGIRL OR BIRD OF PREY. GOOD LUCK TO THE FUTURE. YOUR TRULY CHARLES DAVID HASKELL
September 14th, 2011 at 11:52 am
Well this is just bad choice on the editorial part, if DC is trying to tie everything together, how could they mess this up?
September 14th, 2011 at 11:54 am
What about the possibility that the Batgirl appearing on that cover is Stephanie Brown in a red wig, and not Babs? This still wouldn’t excuse for DC’s failure to get “parental consent” from Simone, but could explain why they didn’t think it necessary in the first place.
After all, why should Dick, Jason, Tim and Damien all make it through the DCnU’s shredder, but not Stephanie and Cassandra (just when we were finally loving them, at that!)?
September 14th, 2011 at 11:55 am
Simone’s not really an apologist. She’s just not polarized like so many fans so it’s not either screw DC or DC is the greatest company ever.
September 14th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Happy to see Batgirl interact (and maybe even join) the Birds of Prey….but this should never have happened without consulting Gail as the writer of the Batgirl comic. It’s DC’s right to make the decision whether Gail likes it or not, but if they talked with her about it she could at least make it make sense with the plan she has for the character. Come on DC – don’t make stupid decisions like that.
September 14th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
I would love to know why DC gave Gail Fury of Firestorm instead of having her write Birds of Prey, especially since they have seen fit to put Batgirl in issue 4.
September 14th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Dear DC,
Please give charles david haskell A JOB WRITING ONE OF BOOKS. IT WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT HE DOES WITH ONE OF CHARACTERS.
September 14th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Robert,
You used Plurals in your sentences. Re-read the passage. there are no plurals used. Please rewrite and submit your work again.
September 14th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Of course, Savant was appearing in Suicide Squad today, so that’s another BoPer who’s kinda just somewhere else as a surprise. (Admittedly, the character was such a cypher in the story, that it may not even be considered the same Savant…and he had a helmet. Would Savant even WEAR a helmet?)
September 14th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Repeat after me:
DC does not care about female characters.
DC does not care about female creators.
DC does not care about female readers.
Anyone who is capable of being surprised by this sort of thing has been living under a rock since at least 2003 or so.
September 14th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Before anyone gets too deep in the “female creator” bag, DC pulled this stuff with Morrison and McDuffie on Justice League frequently. Remember that Morrison got stuck with blue Superman, dead Diana, and more? Gail doesn’t own Batgirl anymore than Carmine Infantino. She should be happy she has a job. A lot of people don’t.
September 14th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Gail is a BIG reason why I’m buying the new Batgirl series (and I say this as a person who grew up loving Babs as Batgirl).
Not having Gail is a big reason why I’ve not had interest in reading Birds of Prey’s new relaunch.
I know Barbara isn’t “her character,” and I have a full understanding of what Work For Hire means. But if DC wants to keep any of the goodwill they are receiving simply by her presence, they need to start treating her with the same respect as a creator as they give people like Jim Lee and Geoff Johns.
Further, if Gail takes a bit of the voice she’s used on books like BoP or Secret Six somewhere else and does her own thing with it, I would buy that. M’just saying.
Either way, I’m not calling sexism here… Just a stupid, stupid move on Editorial’s part. Hope they start getting their act together, quickly.
September 14th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
why did I subconciously replace “charles david” with “eddie”?!?!
September 14th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
They didn’t even get the costume correct… How could editorial let them send out a cover with the wrong costume this early in the game. They’ve made it very clear that Cully had a costume turn for ever character in the 52 relaunch so they should have gotten the colors right…
And yes I know it will get corrected before the issue hits the stands, but it still seems like a lazy editor across the board… First not to ask Gail about using Batgirl and then to have the wrong outfit…
September 14th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
First Barbara steals Steph’s book, and now her costume. Another reason why I am not picking up Babs’ new series.
September 14th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Do we know that is Babs, though? I think Steph is still alive and well, and maybe this issue will show Stephanie transition from Batgirl back to Spoiler or something else entirely.
I’ve enjoyed DC’s output this past week and I’m putting a lot of faith in DC for now, so I hope they don’t screw the pooch for this relaunch.
September 14th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
The beginnings of Simone leaving DC for Marvel ala Harras booting her out of the house of ideas before?
September 14th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
John Smith said:
“Repeat after me:
DC does not care about female characters.
DC does not care about female creators.
DC does not care about female readers.
Anyone who is capable of being surprised by this sort of thing has been living under a rock since at least 2003 or so.”
Amen to that, especially the female characters part. Everyone from Cass Cain to Mary Marvel to Wonder Woman has been utterly obliterated by these people. It’s IDIOCY.
September 14th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
i think doing this without the writer bodes badly because she would have helped with the transition. This isnt a good pr move.
plus it might be early to do something like this as we dont really know if the DCnU is a longterm succes and would be better if you did thid next year.
instead of barbara it might be best if spoiler appeared instead just for change of pace and to put fans at rest.
September 14th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
No surprised, Dan is all talk, but he’s a dick of a business man.
September 14th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
The Batgirl on issue #1 of BATGIRL – Bab’s: BLUE eyes
The Batgirl on issue #4 of BIRDS OF PREY – Steph: in Steph’s costume, wearing a red-wig, GREEN eyes!
September 14th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Gail Simon needs to learn when to shut her mouth.
September 14th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Gail Simone is freaking annoying.
it’s her right to be annoying, but she did not create Barbara or Oracle so her feelings of outrage are misplaced.
September 14th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
This incident is just another piece of evidence in the file of how DC slapped this relaunch together at the last minute. Who needs to think? Just print the stuff and they’ll buy it!
September 15th, 2011 at 5:33 am
I must be getting ready for the fanboy retirement home, because this doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I like the idea of Batgirl popping up in Birds of Prey and like the idea it took Simone and Miller by surprise even more…
September 15th, 2011 at 6:04 am
I can understand writers feeling some sort of ownership of corporate characters, but if you are gonna play in someone else’s sandbox, you have to expect this kind of thing.
Best to simply create and own a sandbox, where this wouldn’t happen.
September 15th, 2011 at 6:38 am
So I’m the only one who doesn’t know what WFH means?
September 15th, 2011 at 6:54 am
It’s Work For Hire, Vichus.
September 15th, 2011 at 7:40 am
Don’t entirely agree, The Question. Yes, Gail didn’t create Barbara/Batgirl/Oracle, but if she’s writing an ongoing series starring the character, then it only makes sense for DC to tell her when things like this are going to happen.
I’m seeing a growing contrast between DC’s and Marvel’s handling of creators these days. Marvel creators (writers and editors alike) seem to have a more open and collaborative relationship, while DC appears to be moving in the opposite direction. That lack of communication and collaboration could end up hurting DC in the long run.
@Realist- true, but the circumstances there are a little different. If you’re doing a team book like JLA, it makes sense that most of the big character developments are going to occur in the characters’ individual titles. Here, it sounds like we’re going to see the reverse; Barbara’s doing something huge in a title that isn’t her own AND the person writing the Batgirl solo book didn’t even know about it.
September 15th, 2011 at 9:36 am
Just for the record, I totally agree that I’m annoying and need to shut my mouth and all that stuff. WELL OBSERVED!
DC has every right to use their characters the way they wish and in the books they want, that was never in question. There’s a lot more to this story, but in general as a matter of common sense and common courtesy, the writer of a solo book is informed when that character appears in another book. It’s good for everyone to coordinate.
These things happen, it’s just a drag to find it out on Twitter, that’s all.
September 15th, 2011 at 9:46 am
Also, the bunnies were imaginary.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
WHAT
I’VE BEEN PETTING A LIE
September 15th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
I love how Gail saying she was “angry” turned into Gail is “outraged”! You guys are such drama queens.
September 16th, 2011 at 5:13 am
Maybe it’s Misfit. Gail did create her after all and would be more entitled to feelings of ownership.
September 16th, 2011 at 8:06 am
DC doesn’t care about female characters? Let’s see – there’s Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Batgirl, Birds of Prey, Catwoman, Supergirl, Voodoo…
Now quick – name all the Marvel books with female leads.
September 16th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Dominick, Marvel tried a few times and has a She-Hulk mini right now along with Heroes For Hire, did an entire month spotlighting Women of Marvel in which they did one shots for female characters, gave X-23 an ongoing, elevated the heck out of Valeria Richards, just recently had to cancel Spider-Girl, Spider-Woman, and Ms. Marvel due to sales (but at least they gave them a shot), had a female led Young Allies after a female Nomad starring mini, had to cancel Black Widow also due to low sales, but still gave her a shot.
In other words, I’ll see your Straw Man, and raise you facts.
September 16th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
“Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Batgirl, Birds of Prey, Catwoman, Supergirl, Voodoo…”
Most of whom have been mishandled in recent years in one way or another, some more horribly than others. *points to Cass Cain Batgirl*
I, for one, am not impressed.
September 16th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
I don’t think editors should have to ‘check’ with creators about using a character. They are DC’s property.
But they should at least have the common courtesy to let them know.
September 16th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
@Dan – your suggestion to Robert makes no sense. Otherwise it would read:
Please give charles david haskell A JOB WRITING ONE OF BOOK. IT WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT HE DOES WITH ONE OF CHARACTER.
Um, no. Robert is correct. Although it should be ‘INTERESTING’
September 17th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
It’s not even just about common courtesy , even if important . If you write an ongoing book about such an involved character , you should be at least informed of what’s done to it in other books , for the sake of doing your job well enough .
September 18th, 2011 at 8:41 am
With both Gail Simone and Bryan Q Miller both unhappy, and looking at the comments of both and at what the writer of the issue has said, I wonder is this is Stephanie Brown instead of Barbara Gordon, and the ‘plot twist’ that will pull the rug out as claimed by writer Duane Swierczynski, I wonder if they will turn Sthepanie Brown rogue or ‘bad’, OR kill her off. I hope I’m completely wrong on this.
September 20th, 2011 at 4:30 am
If I were writing a solo book, with the empowerment of “sense of ownership” seemingly established by your boss, then find out that “your character” is guest-starring in a book you’re NOT WRITING, that would also raise my hackles.
DC wants to establish a unified continuity with their DCnU, but doesn’t have the forethought to communicate with the character’s writer? This suggests one of two possibilities: A) the “unified continuity” thing is a bunch of cow pies, or B) they’re going to let the character’s writer go.
Either scenario would piss me off, but I’m hoping the answer is “A”. (at least, that’s what the mystery chick near the end of Flashpoint #5 implies).
September 20th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Charles J. Baserap Says:
“Dominick, Marvel tried a few times and has a She-Hulk mini right now along with Heroes For Hire, did an entire month spotlighting Women of Marvel in which they did one shots for female characters, gave X-23 an ongoing, elevated the heck out of Valeria Richards, just recently had to cancel Spider-Girl, Spider-Woman, and Ms. Marvel due to sales (but at least they gave them a shot), had a female led Young Allies after a female Nomad starring mini, had to cancel Black Widow also due to low sales, but still gave her a shot.”
This is it…if Marvel has been printing these books, but no one’s buying them, and thus Marvel has to cancel them, who’s really to blame?
May 17th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Oh may we please, please use a character we own and have owned for decades lady we pay a regular salary to.
Just not seeing that happening in the real world with anyone.
Writers are paid to write their little corner of the world and the people who run the company run the entire world they’ve created. It’s their call what characters show up where, when and how.
Yes, it should all jibe and a little heads up helps that but they are not required or obligated to ask permission. Something like “hey character X, which you write, is appearing in comic Y in a month here are the details” is in line but even that isn’t law.