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Well, everyone is smiling today, pretty much. And now to explain a little: After I read Dave Roman’s very measured and in no way inflammatory post on his live journal, it would be fair to say my blood was boiling. Creator’s rights is — to me — the most crucial issue in comics, for many reasons. I went to the comics search and browse page on the Drunk Duck site, and clicked on the first few comics and NONE OF THEM HAD CREDITS. So, naturally, I thought the worst.

Having now had several VERY polite and constructive private conversations with folks behind the scenes, I learned that by chance I had clicked on comics that are part of the whole “Drunk Duck” community, and that the cartoonists have chosen to have no credits — a choice which is under discussion in the community.

Well sir, to do a 180 here, there’s nothing stupider than not putting your name on your work. Unless you have something to be ashamed of. I know webcomickers are a breed apart, however, so I guess they are free to do their own thing.

I also received the following from Andy Mangels, another Platinum cartoonist from back in the day on the topic of his book SUPER LARRY (above.)

You noted that other Drunk Duck webcomics did not have credits, but mine does (because I asked for them a few months back). It’s SUPER LARRY, WORLD’S TOUGHEST MAN and it’s serialized here.

I actually developed the story and script in 1999 and began writing it then, under a variety of different titles for Platinum. First it was a mini-series, then a graphic novel. It was completed years ago, and earlier this year, Platinum began releasing it as a webcomic (without telling the artist or I). So, eight years later, here it is, and it’s still funny and still relevant.

Interestingly enough, the story went under several names early on, including “The Ultimate” (two years before Marvel’s “ultimate line) and “Superloser”. I came up with the title “Slackerman,” which Platinum liked a lot, but decided to make its own property and devlop it with someone else! Finally, the title became what it is.

I have no real complaints about working with Platinum except a bit of frustration with not always knowing what was going on and thus not being able to effectively promote the work. They paid well, paid on time, sent Christmas cards, and everybody was entirely professional. Editor Lee Nordling in particular was a gem!

Anyhow, you can read more about the project on my website here.


I’m very happy to see that the situation is not as bad as I thought, although it’s clear that Platinum has a HUGE backlog of material, and Drunk Duck is not a very easily navigable site. But in this case, the only thing that would make for a happier ending is for some of these books which were years in development to finally see print! So here’s hoping.

1 COMMENT

  1. Platinum does indeed have a huge backlog of material… because one particular man worked many hours — mostly (all?) unrecognized and unrewarded except by the fact that he got to work with talented writers and artists.

    Oh, I almost forgot…

    that man is Lee Nordling.