§ Ever vigilant Jeff Trexler reports on the latest ruling in the Superman case—the judge is pushing REALLY hard for a settlement.

As I’ve noted before, the judge in the ongoing Superman and Superboy lawsuits has been using his decisions to push the parties toward a settlement. The decision awarding addition material to the Siegels was no exception–Judge Larson may have pushed DC by giving the Siegels Krypton, but he also pulled back from a broader ruling that would have given the Siegels the copyright in Luthor and other key material.

Whatever the implications for copyright and comics history, Judge Larson’s opinions serve as paradigmatic example of judging as case management, as each new major ruling reminds the parties that the court is likely to issue a verdict that will satisfy neither side.


gray horses hope larson§ Over at Comics Comics Dash Shaw and Hope Larson talk about editing and why having a GOOD editor can be a very good thing:

I never got any feedback for Gray Horses. Oni Press was in an, um, transitional place at the time, and my book slipped through the cracks. I sent the script to a few friends, but they weren’t much help, either. That was when I realized that if I wanted a real editor, I’d better jump to a book publisher.

This probably makes it sound like the editorial relationship, for me, is all about my insecurities as a writer, but it isn’t. It’s about making the best books I can, and pushing my stories further. Some editors are able to look at a story and see what you’re trying to say when you can’t articulate it yourself. Some editors are more literary, while others are hyperaware of what the market wants. Some editors pursue structure, structure, structure above all else.

1 COMMENT

  1. Having recently made the jump from the comics industry to book publishers myself, I can relate. It’s great that companies like Oni and Image are so hands-off editorially, but sometimes you can be TOO hands-off.

    My experience with book publishers so far has been a bit of a mixed bag in terms of their expectations and demands. But nothing beats a second pair of eyes that you trust, who’s as committed to the material as you are.

  2. Wow, this is a really great article on Hope and her process, esp. with the editorial process and how it relates and all that! Thanks for linking this! :)