Comments on: The Problems With Feeling Ownership Of WFH Characters… http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/ The Blog@ Team and prominent comics personalities share what’s on their minds. Thu, 23 May 2013 04:08:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: libra113 http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-811412 libra113 Fri, 17 May 2013 20:43:05 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-811412 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. 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.

]]> By: John Smith 2 http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-677407 John Smith 2 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:30:59 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-677407 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? 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?

]]> By: Ebonvoice http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-677206 Ebonvoice Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:30:00 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-677206 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). 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).

]]> By: TheCrouton http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-676355 TheCrouton Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:41:48 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-676355 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. 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.

]]> By: meh http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-675939 meh Sat, 17 Sep 2011 23:20:47 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-675939 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 . 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 .

]]> By: James http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-675517 James Sat, 17 Sep 2011 01:23:08 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-675517 @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' ;) @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’ ;)

]]> By: James http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-675515 James Sat, 17 Sep 2011 01:14:40 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-675515 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. 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.

]]> By: Herald http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-675419 Herald Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:42:53 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-675419 "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. “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.

]]> By: Charles J. Baserap http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-675400 Charles J. Baserap Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:56:11 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-675400 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. 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.

]]> By: Dominick Glespen http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-675297 Dominick Glespen Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:06:15 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-675297 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. 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.

]]> By: Shawn http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-675239 Shawn Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:13:59 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-675239 Maybe it's Misfit. Gail did create her after all and would be more entitled to feelings of ownership. Maybe it’s Misfit. Gail did create her after all and would be more entitled to feelings of ownership.

]]> By: XavierDust http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-675035 XavierDust Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:55:47 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-675035 I love how Gail saying she was "angry" turned into Gail is "outraged"! You guys are such drama queens. I love how Gail saying she was “angry” turned into Gail is “outraged”! You guys are such drama queens.

]]> By: Gokitalo http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674940 Gokitalo Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:14:12 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674940 WHAT I'VE BEEN PETTING A LIE WHAT

I’VE BEEN PETTING A LIE

]]> By: Gail http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674885 Gail Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:46:39 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674885 Also, the bunnies were imaginary. Also, the bunnies were imaginary.

]]> By: Gail http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674881 Gail Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:36:17 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674881 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. 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.

]]> By: Gokitalo http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674840 Gokitalo Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:40:50 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674840 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. 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.

]]> By: Filthy McMonkey http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674816 Filthy McMonkey Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:54:20 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674816 It's Work For Hire, Vichus. It’s Work For Hire, Vichus.

]]> By: VichusSmith http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674811 VichusSmith Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:38:25 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674811 So I'm the only one who doesn't know what WFH means? So I’m the only one who doesn’t know what WFH means?

]]> By: Darrell D http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674804 Darrell D Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:04:13 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674804 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. 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.

]]> By: Reliant http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674797 Reliant Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:33:17 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674797 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... 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…

]]> By: Claude Parish http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674672 Claude Parish Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:57:21 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674672 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! 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!

]]> By: The Question http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674665 The Question Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:38:06 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674665 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. 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.

]]> By: Juan Hernandez http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674662 Juan Hernandez Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:28:17 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674662 Gail Simon needs to learn when to shut her mouth. Gail Simon needs to learn when to shut her mouth.

]]> By: MeisterLegion http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674661 MeisterLegion Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:14:55 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674661 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! 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!

]]> By: RunnerX13 http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674636 RunnerX13 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:50:03 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674636 No surprised, Dan is all talk, but he's a dick of a business man. No surprised, Dan is all talk, but he’s a dick of a business man.

]]> By: Ziyad http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674631 Ziyad Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:26:58 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674631 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. 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.

]]> By: Herald http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674600 Herald Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:52:11 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674600 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. 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.

]]> By: olh http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674595 olh Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:40:26 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674595 The beginnings of Simone leaving DC for Marvel ala Harras booting her out of the house of ideas before? The beginnings of Simone leaving DC for Marvel ala Harras booting her out of the house of ideas before?

]]> By: M. http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674592 M. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:35:15 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674592 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. 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.

]]> By: catsmeow12 http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/09/14/the-problems-with-feeling-ownership-of-wfh-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-674581 catsmeow12 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:14:47 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=28827#comment-674581 First Barbara steals Steph's book, and now her costume. Another reason why I am not picking up Babs' new series. First Barbara steals Steph’s book, and now her costume. Another reason why I am not picking up Babs’ new series.

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