This does not sound like a promising development:
In the past, Marvel and DC exclusives had been quite laissez faire about creator owned contracts. So Jason Aaron could work on Vertigo’s Scalped (even though it’s more of a creator participant deal) without any issue. But with these moves, and the odds that creators are more likely to promote their own owned work than that of a publisher, word has been coming down at DC and I’m told by creators that the latest exclusive contracts are far tighter on creator owned work outside the company.
If true, this sounds like a great way for DC to convince creators who are planning creator owned work at some point to avoid signing with the publisher exclusively, unless there’s going to be an overhaul of the Vertigo deal to make creator-owned projects at that imprint even more of a priority (and, presumably, offer more rights to the creator for signing on). Considering that 2012 has already seemed like a year when “creator owned” has become more of a talking point in both the industry and fandom-at-large – Not to mention that it’s also been a year when DC has found itself under fire for its treatment of creators and creators’ rights with Before Watchmen – this would seem like an amazingly ill-timed move. Here’s hoping it’s one of those rumors that used to be considered “red light”…
June 14th, 2012 at 9:51 am
I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that a number of Vertigo creator-ownish books seem to be wrapping up naturally in the near future – SCALPED, obviously, but also iZOMBIE, SWEET TOOTH, a couple others? They may be using this as a chance to change the rules, so they don’t get into more situations like Jason Aaron being one of the bigger names at Marvel while still producing a creator-participation book for Vertigo.
June 14th, 2012 at 9:56 am
This year has seen me drop as many non-creator titles as i feel I can and replace them with creator owned. Mostly thanks to DC and Before Watchmen.
June 14th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Creatively, this is obviously not good.
But think about it: would you like to contract an employee and have him/her working for other ppl when his/her time should be dedicated to your company?
June 14th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
I guess they are trying their best to get everyone to stop buying their books
June 14th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
As Sam points out, it makes sense from a business standpoint.
However, it seems like one more way DC will push away top talent. You’ve already lost Waid, Rucka, Brubaker, Spencer, and many others, DC! What are you doing?!?!?!?!