Tony Isabella On Black Lightning's New 52 Debut

[Free-Man]

Can you blame him? Think of what DC could have had if they had these issues with Tony dealt with? Would Black Lighting be on level with Batman and others? Would we have a trilogy of BL movies like Marvel has with Blade?

Since part of Blade's appeal was that he was a vampire hunter, no?

DC wasn't good about utilizing more obscure properties outside of comics until this decade anyway. So no, chances are even if DC had the licensing rights or whatever cleared up, he would not have had all that much exposure.

[bretmaverick2]

I'm sure that Isabella's feels like he's been wronged with this character... but man, he sure likes to bitch about it every time he gets the chance.

Actually, he DOESN'T.

The reason he comments is because news sites, fans, etc. continue to ask him about it. He very soon after the recent BL/BD arc was announced declined to make much of a comment. BUT THEN people kept posting assumptions about what he thought. And he was put in a position of needing to clarify his thoughts on the situation so that he wouldn't be misrepresented.

Further, Tony had agreed to a deal with BL that was different from the standard 'work for hire' contracts at that time. Thus he should expect that he and his character should be treated differently.

As to Trevor - he did great artwork on the original series. But he provided the visuals for the character. He didn't create the character. That was a revision by DC to lessen Tony's ownership/partnership of the character.

Is the first artist that drew an image of Sherlock Holmes or Dracula based on what was written about the characters co-creators?? I don't really think so.

[Darrell D.]

I'm sure that Isabella's feels like he's been wronged with this character... but man, he sure likes to bitch about it every time he gets the chance.

I don't begrudge a creator talking about his character when asked. I'm not sure why anyone would.

[Fate's Faith]

Personally, I'd preferred to never see Black Lighning ever again just so Isabella could sleep in peace since he feels he's going on forty years being screwed.

[paulski]

I don't begrudge a creator talking about his character when asked. I'm not sure why anyone would.

I don't. My point is, all I seem to ever hear from the guy is him complaining about what DC are doing with the character. This is no different.

[Mr. Holmes]

I don't begrudge a creator talking about his character when asked. I'm not sure why anyone would.

If the creator is like Bob Kane, I would.

[Godisnowhere]

Actually, he DOESN'T.

The reason he comments is because news sites, fans, etc. continue to ask him about it. He very soon after the recent BL/BD arc was announced declined to make much of a comment. BUT THEN people kept posting assumptions about what he thought. And he was put in a position of needing to clarify his thoughts on the situation so that he wouldn't be misrepresented.

Further, Tony had agreed to a deal with BL that was different from the standard 'work for hire' contracts at that time. Thus he should expect that he and his character should be treated differently.

As to Trevor - he did great artwork on the original series. But he provided the visuals for the character. He didn't create the character. That was a revision by DC to lessen Tony's ownership/partnership of the character.

Is the first artist that drew an image of Sherlock Holmes or Dracula based on what was written about the characters co-creators?? I don't really think so.

Why are you comparing comic characters to characters in novels? Perhaps you should compare Black Lightning to Superman? Dc apparently took advantage of the creators of both. I could be wrong. Maybe Isabella has some scribbled drawings of black lightning somewhere proving he came up with the visual design of BL. In a highly visual medium. The person designing the initial look should get credit too.