DC Ownership of Characters

[PatrickG]

Heard awhile back that DC bought the rights to Chloe Sullivan from Smallville.

Just curious if this was something unique to the setup with Millar/Gough or if DC generally doesn't own characters created outside of comics.

I've noticed that Luthor's sidekick Otis has never appeared in the comics although there have been a couple of analogues. Also never seen the Nuclear Man (from SUPERMAN IV) or the Atomic Man (from the radio serials).

And yet, I have seen Ben Hubbard and other Smallville characters from Superman the Movie referenced.

Meanwhile, Harley Quinn, Lockup, Renée Montoya and The Wonder Twins, from BTAS and Superfriends, are in the DCU now.

And yet, I've never seen Livewire (the shock jock from STAS), Roxy Rocket, Baby Doll or Calender Girl.

So... Gail? Anybody? What's the deal?

My gut says that it depends on whether or not WB itself produces the movie/show.

Ergo, Millar/Gough produce Smallville and DC must buy the characters. The Salkinds produced Superman the Movie and ergo DC must buy the characters... however, no one will sue them for a little nod just as Deadpool can talk about watching reruns of "Lois and Clark" in his book.

Meanwhile, the WB-produced cartoons (and Hanna Barbara, which is a sister company) are basically fair game? Maybe?

Joe Kelly wanted to use Space Ghost as a supporting character in Superman and was denied primarily because of "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast". So maybe that's a sign that DC at least has the publishing rights if not ownership.

No clue how the 'toon tie-in books work.

Just curious...

[TCJohnson]

Maybe they just used the popular characters. Otis and Nuclearman were never that popular with the fans and I think DC is trying to forget that Superman IV ever happened. Neither were Roxy Rocket, Calander Girl or Baby Doll.

Whereas Harely QUinn had a cult following after her first episode.

[PatrickG]

But was Lockup that popular?

And, I mean, writers have had to create analogs for Otis before. As in, writers have wanted to use Otis but there was apparently a barrier...

[Jeff Brady]

Meanwhile, Harley Quinn, Lockup, Renée Montoya and The Wonder Twins, from BTAS and Superfriends, are in the DCU now.

Montoya was in the comics before BTAS. Chuck Dixon created her, and most of the popular characters from GCPD at the time, except Gordon, Essen, and Bullock.

[MacQuarrie]

According to what I was told, WB owns the characters created for the TV and movie projects, and DC comics has to pay to use them. It's just easier to negotiate between two companies owned by the same corporate overlord. IT's the same as the Blue Beetle JLU situation only in reverse.

[Tad Sivana]

It would be interesting to chart where all the cast of (Supes especially) characters originated...didn't Perry White and Jimmy Olsen come into the Superman family from the radio show? I'm not sure about Lois. Over the years, the texture of the DCU has absorbed many characters or character makeovers from live-action mass-media incarnations of their properties, which seem to be instantly become 'the gospel version' because of their wide coverage....forcing the comics to adjust.
Needless to say, this doesn't always work out, as the 60's Television Batman proved.
This is probably fortunate, as I can remember a disastrous 'JLA Roast' TV special years go where Hawkman, Flash, etc...appeared in clunky outfits (costume budget was very low and the casting director didn't know anybody who went to the gym)and dissed each other with horrible puns and jokes in the same spirit of the Batman Series.
This jokey, juvenile and camp feeling had to have turned people off from reading the comics in a big way.

[PatrickG]

From what I understand, Dixon was basically "tipped off" about Montoya or he somehow submitted the character for inclusion in the cartoon but there was some kind of backdoor deal for her to appear in the comics first. The decision to include her in the cartoon, I'm fairly certain, predates her comic appearance. I think I got that from the first boxed set Batman DVD commentary.

I never understood why but Mac's comment may account for it.

[stealthwise]

Yeah, and what about GUS GORMAN?

http://www.urban.ne.jp/home/ubik/cinema/superman3.jpg

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

I've noticed that Luthor's sidekick Otis has never appeared in the comics although there have been a couple of analogues.

Yeah, plus I've lost count of how many writers or artists over the years have pulled that "Otisburg" gag when showing a highway sign for out of town or something similar.

[Spackling Compound]

http://www.geocities.com/%7E1966/chief438.JPG

What about Officer O'Hara?

[Sean Walsh]

What about Officer O'Hara?

There was an Officer O'Hara in DARK VICTORY I think.

Doesn't end well for the poor bastard, though...

[Drumore]

The whole ownership permissions thing can get confusing. Plus a lot of it is fan speculation without facts to back it up.

Just to add MORE to the rumor mix! LOL

I had later heard the Chloe purchase was just a misinformed rumor.

I believe that Montoya was created by the cartoon, but because of the longer lead time (especially since they began as a DAILY cartoon and needed many more ready from the start) she appeared in the comic first. Don't know what that does as far as her ownership.

I believe the Wondertwins are owned by Hanna-Barbara, and were used in Extreme Justice and Young Justice with permission. Don't know if there is payment involved for something like that or not. But I'm thinking DC DOESNT own them outright because they didn't make action figures of them.

O'Hara in Dark Detective - I suppose if it's used in a minor capacity it's more of just name dropping or homage.

[Starlock]

Wow, it's been quite awhile since I lurked or posted here. Anyway...

Quote by PatrickG:I've noticed that Luthor's sidekick Otis has never appeared in the comics although there have been a couple of analogues. Also never seen the Nuclear Man (from SUPERMAN IV) or the Atomic Man (from the radio serials).


Maybe, not in the comic books, but I vaguely remember Otis was included in some episodes of the Super Friends. Probably the only thing poor Otis would ever appear in other than the first 2 Superman movies.

[Jeff Brady]

Queens in da hizzouse!

(Sorry).

Welcome, Starlock!

[matterconsumer]

Joe Kelly wanted to use Space Ghost as a supporting character in Superman and was denied primarily because of "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast". So maybe that's a sign that DC at least has the publishing rights if not ownership.

No clue how the 'toon tie-in books work.

Just curious...

It may all be in the paperwork.

For example there was an FF cartoon that had Herbie instead of the Human Torch due to the Human Torch being used in a Spidey cartoon.

If the licensing of the character(s) is exclusive to a series then it really doesn't matter who owns what because as long as the contract is in place it will hold.

So regarding Space Ghost they'd have to decide whether they'd prefer to likely lose the ability to continue the Space Ghost show (which they're supposedly doing some episodes) or attach him to Superman where the contract would keep the character attached for the life of the series.

All speculation on my part...

[PatrickG]

'Course, Joe Kelly was eventually able to do a serious Space Ghost mini and there's talk of an ongoing. I doubt Space Ghost will return to Adult Swim or Cartoon Network for awhile since they allowed it...

... Unless they take a page from Kelly's comic and go for a more realistic, darker action show.

I actually wouldn't mind if some of the Justice League/Batman/Static Shock people did a new Space Ghost if JL doesn't get renewed.

Actually, I think I'd be nigh-ecstatic about it.

[Spackling Compound]

. Probably the only thing poor Otis would ever appear in other than the first 2 Superman movies.


Poor Otis, dead and gone
Left me here to sing this song
Pretty Little Girl with the Red Dress on
Poor Otis, dead and gone...
The Doors

Couldn't resist.

[PatrickG]

Goodbye Luthor's rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed itself
Where lives were torn apart
You called out to our country
And you whispered to those in pain
Now you belong to heaven
And the stars spell out your name

O-T-I-S

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along Metropolis' greenest hills
Your candle's burned out long before
Your legend ever will

[LtMarvel]

I first read about DC buying Cloe Sullivan from an inteview with the actress in the Smallville comic book.

Herbie was created because the powers that be didn't want kids to set themselves on fire imitating the character Herbie replaced.

[Spackling Compound]

.

Herbie was created because the powers that be didn't want kids to set themselves on fire imitating the character Herbie replaced.
I was thinking about that very thing when I saw the movie Human Torch action figure in Wal-Mart.

[matterconsumer]

Herbie was created because the powers that be didn't want kids to set themselves on fire imitating the character Herbie replaced.

Kids lived through the "mid-late" 60s with the FF cartoon which had the Human Torch not only on fire but melting things too...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241100/#comment

[LtMarvel]

Kids lived through the "mid-late" 60s with the FF cartoon which had the Human Torch not only on fire but melting things too...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241100/#comment
I know...and kids lived through seeing the frog being placed in the time capsole at the end of that classic Michigan J. Frog cartoon...that didn't stop later censors from deleting the ending when it was shown on Saturday Morning in the 90s....

[MacQuarrie]

Herbie was created because the powers that be didn't want kids to set themselves on fire imitating the character Herbie replaced.
Totally and completely false.

Herbie was created because a separate contract for the Human Torch was in force. The TV movie ended up not being made due to the cost. The script eventually became a lousy thing called "The Power Within" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081365/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnx0dD1vbnxmYj11fHBuPTB8cT1wb3dlciB3aX RoaW58bXg9MjB8bG09NTAwfGh0bWw9MQ__;fc=3;ft=20;fm=1 ) about a daredevil pilot who gains superpowers after being struck by lightning. The film was called "Power Man" in the original ads, but the title was changed by the time it aired.

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/herbieff.htm

H.E.R.B.I.E. became one of the stars of the 1978-1979 Fantastic Four cartoon because at the time, the Human Torch was being considered for a movie with Universal, but an urban legend soon sprang up claiming that the Torch had been removed because the producers were afraid that children would light themselves on fire in emulation. This story has taken on a life of its own, and is generally accepted as the reason why H.E.R.B.I.E. was created. But hey, it inspired one of John Byrne's best stories, so what the hey! (re: Fantastic Four I#285)