Is there a more inside baseball comic book being published right now than Image Comics‘s Public Domain? Written and drawn by Chip Zdarsky, every issue presents thinly veiled amalgamations of iconic comic book creators battling over the rights to superhero characters with a depth of knowledge known only to those deep in the lore of the industry. And yet, it’s also one of the most entertaining books on the stands right now — all of which is abundantly on display in Public Domain #7.
To take it a step back, the first five issues of the book dealt with Syd Dallas, the co-creator of The Domain, a Superman-level comic book character, trying to get his rights back from the Marvel-style company that owns them. What followed was a pitched legal battle that looped in his sons Miles and David as he battled with his corporate sell-out former partner… Ultimately getting permission to create new adventures for The Domain, while his old company can also create comics based on the character.
If the first arc was set up, the title has been faster, looser, and funnier since coming back from its break, with Zdarsky’s trademark humor on display in every panel. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still emotion there. In this issue in particular, the tension between Syd, his sons, and the no-nonsense editor they bring in for their new company is palpable. And there’s a scene in a bar in the second half of the issue that carries the heft of history with it, while still swerving in surprisingly deep directions.
But — and perhaps this is my personal preference — Zdarsky’s view on comic book creation and the annoying nuances and quirks involved that have nothing to do with making superheroes and supervillains smash up against each other is the stuff that comedy dreams are made of. It’s probably not that funny for anyone in the day-to-day business of making comics, but the outside view is pretty hilarious. It’s also potentially informative for any fans who don’t know how the sausage is made. It is indeed gross and boils down to an infinite number of minute decisions. But Public Domain perhaps also offers a public service to comic book fans curious to know what actually goes into comic book creation.
It’s also the sort of book that sparks a million questions about who Zdarsky is writing about. Is the no-nonsense editor former Vertigo editor Karen Berger? Is the pretentious writer type with wild fifth-dimensional ideas Grant Morrison? What about the extremely muscly comic book artist with a ’90s flair and a modern sensibility? Is that Greg Capullo???
Or maybe it’s none of those people. Maybe Zdarsky is just pulling on types to make a point and emphasize the comedy of the situation. But damn if it isn’t a fun guessing game anyway.
Public Domain #7 is in stores now from Image Comics.