If you’re concerned that DC’s plans for Watchmen 2 sound a little like a bad idea, maybe you want to take a look at this online petition to stop the project:
We, the undersigned recognize the rights of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons as co-creators of Watchmen, and we strongly object to DC’s continued marketing of this property against the intent of the original contract and the wishes of one of its creators. Further, we abhor DC’s frequent attempts to knowingly act in opposition to Moore’s wishes, and their attempts to profit off of Watchmen merchandise without paying royalties to the work’s creators.
Until such a time as DC Comics can make things right with Moore and reach an accord in which he approves of and endorses further Watchmen sequels, we ask DC to act ethically and in the spirit and intent of the original contract and cease any plans to create derivative works without the permission and approval of the creators, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. We further ask that all writers and artists refuse to work on any derivative works related to Watchmen until DC, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons are all in agreement on the creation of new Watchmen properties.
The petition is up at Change.org, a great site that usually uses its powers for important social issues (Forcing Bank of America to drop its proposed debit card fee, asking JC Penney to improve fire safety regulations in foreign locations, preventing corporations from buying state parkland they’ve contaminated, and so on), and was created by noted comics commentator and curmudgeon Alan David Doane, who announced the petition in traditionally subtle manner on his Trouble With Comics blog. To date, 31 people have signed the petition since it was launched yesterday; I look forward to seeing how many more will sign in the next few days, and what effect (if any) they’ll expect it to have on DC. For that matter, I wonder how long it’ll be before we see similar petitions protesting both DC’s use of Superman and Marvel’s use of all of the Jack Kirby creations, considering both estates are claiming at least co-ownership of those characters, something that seems at least as “ethically dubious” as Watchmen 2.
December 28th, 2011 at 10:27 am
There is a difference between being denied royalties and refusing to receive royalties as a matter of principal.
December 28th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Goes to show, people will get outraged over AN-Y-THING.
Of you don’t want it, don’t buy it. Done deal.
Me? Darwyn Cooke can illustrate a prequel to the V for Vendetta, starring Superman, and I would buy it. The talent on this project is too good.
December 28th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
One could feel differently if DC hadn’t in fact tried to make a deal with Moore a few years ago where they’d return the rights to the original graphic novel to him (and Dave Gibbons) if he’d write a sequel or prequel. But Moore still holds a grudge against people who aren’t even at DC any more over some real slights perpetrated against him more than 20 years ago. Dave Gibbons has no problem with new material, so who’s right? The fact that DC has waited 25 years to exploit The Watchmen with new material doesn’t exactly make them sound rapacious.
December 28th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
I’m still waiting for my watchmen saturday morning cartoon series. all we got was that awesome opening and then nothing.
December 28th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Doesn’t bother me at all. It just feels a bit late to really do pre or sequels. perhaps a few years back when the movie hit, it would have had an amazing cross-platform/ new readers opportunity. That said, DC has learned a lot of cool things with the new 52. So they may surprise us all.
I just wish they wouldn’t have turned Captain Atom into Dr. M. in his new series. Turning an original character into the make-alike character inspired by him just seems a bit… meh?
December 30th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
We the undersigned protest the exploitation of the property, but have all seen the movie!