This is all rather interesting!
REBELLION BUYS CLASSIC COMIC ARCHIVE (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-37177877?SThisFB)
The news breaks at last!
Can't wait to get my hands on Scream, Action, Battle, Buster....
Yeah - very excited for this :)
I am just coming round after a brief faint.
Is this as good as I imagine? What characters could re-emerge in addition to the ones referred to in the BBC article?
That is great news! Who do I need to lobby to get a reprint of Durrell's Palace made?
Excellent news! :)
I never could quite get my head round all the legal delineation issues regarding IPC/Fleetway etc.
Presumably anyone featured in "Albion" would be excluded?
Quote from: Prodigal2 on 25 August, 2016, 10:56:56 AM
I never could quite get my head round all the legal delineation issues regarding IPC/Fleetway etc.
Presumably anyone featured in "Albion" would be excluded?
If I'm reading the news correctly (and remembering the legal ins-and-outs correctly), you're looking at:
Rebellion now own every IPC character/comic published from 1970 (don't recall the month, but I'm sure there was a cut-off early in the year) to date, with the exclusion of perhaps some creator-owned works and things like the strips that originated in the New Eagle which are, AFAIK, all still owned by the Dan Dare Corporation.
Also excluded are - unless the legal situation has changed since I last checked - a number of specifically-named characters (I think it was 26, including characters like the Leopard of Lime Street) who remain with IPC (now Time Inc. UK/Time, which gives you your link to DC Comics, as DC are a subsidiary of Time now).
Any IPC comics pre-1970 belong to IPC/Time, so something like Valiant or Tiger and their strips would probably be off the table as they launched pre-1970, again unless there's some legal changes in the last few years.
It will give Rebellion access to an ENORMOUS archive of material and is a fantastic move for fans of classic British comics. I must admit to a small pang of jealousy at Robo-Keef's enviable position - what a treasure trove to choose from! - but seeing a big publisher behind this material who is prepared to actually use it is brilliant.
Obviously retro-content is of most interest to the BBC but does anyone know if Crisis and Revolver counts as part of the 'Fleetway' archive? Because if 2000AD now owns them - that would be great...*starts drooling at Third World War digital collection*
Oh my. That is brazen, to say the least, and very exciting regarding potential collections. Scream and Action are obvious ones for 2000 AD fans, but even stuff like Oink has plenty of potential. I'd happily buy a digital collection of the entire lot, given the chance. I imagine print opportunities for some of this stuff are fairly limited, but then again I've heard a lot of people say they'd love to get their hands on some of this archive material.
Anyway, a huge thumbs-up to the Kingsleys and Rebellion. Funny to think that people were concerned about a games dev buying 2000 AD all those years ago. (I recall claims they'd mine the comic for games and not really give two hoots about anything more.) As it turns out, this one company has not only saved 2000 AD from extinction but is now about to give a huge chunk of British comics a possible second life. Top stuff, everyone involved!
Nice one, Rebellion. Good to know there's a sufficient market for reprints.
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 11:20:51 AM
Any IPC comics pre-1970 belong to IPC/Time, so something like Valiant or Tiger and their strips would probably be off the table as they launched pre-1970, again unless there's some legal changes in the last few years.
Drat, so no Look and Learn then (Hoping for a Trigan Empire reprint...)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AP,_Fleetway_and_IPC_Comics_publications
Quote from: Pyroxian on 25 August, 2016, 11:30:50 AM
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 11:20:51 AM
Any IPC comics pre-1970 belong to IPC/Time, so something like Valiant or Tiger and their strips would probably be off the table as they launched pre-1970, again unless there's some legal changes in the last few years.
Drat, so no Look and Learn then (Hoping for a Trigan Empire reprint...)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AP,_Fleetway_and_IPC_Comics_publications
The legal situation may have changed in the last few years, but that's my understanding. I'm sure Rebellion will clarify which titles are included at some point, but I think sticking to "anything launched post-1970 by IPC" is a reasonably safe assumption for now.
I wonder where Hookjaw sits in this deal, what with Titan having recently licensed the strip for its new upcoming Spurrier/Boyle title...
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 25 August, 2016, 11:36:39 AM
I wonder where Hookjaw sits in this deal, what with Titan having recently licensed the strip for its new upcoming Spurrier/Boyle title...
Yeah, wondering how it affects the Titan reprint GNs - maybe I should quickly buy the Charley's war ones I'm still missing...
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 11:20:51 AM
Quote from: Prodigal2 on 25 August, 2016, 10:56:56 AM
I never could quite get my head round all the legal delineation issues regarding IPC/Fleetway etc.
Presumably anyone featured in "Albion" would be excluded?
If I'm reading the news correctly (and remembering the legal ins-and-outs correctly), you're looking at:
Rebellion now own every IPC character/comic published from 1970 (don't recall the month, but I'm sure there was a cut-off early in the year) to date, with the exclusion of perhaps some creator-owned works and things like the strips that originated in the New Eagle which are, AFAIK, all still owned by the Dan Dare Corporation.
Also excluded are - unless the legal situation has changed since I last checked - a number of specifically-named characters (I think it was 26, including characters like the Leopard of Lime Street) who remain with IPC (now Time Inc. UK/Time, which gives you your link to DC Comics, as DC are a subsidiary of Time now).
Any IPC comics pre-1970 belong to IPC/Time, so something like Valiant or Tiger and their strips would probably be off the table as they launched pre-1970, again unless there's some legal changes in the last few years.
It will give Rebellion access to an ENORMOUS archive of material and is a fantastic move for fans of classic British comics. I must admit to a small pang of jealousy at Robo-Keef's enviable position - what a treasure trove to choose from! - but seeing a big publisher behind this material who is prepared to actually use it is brilliant.
AC that's a beautifully succinct and clear exposition.
Thank you sir.
Quote from: Pyroxian on 25 August, 2016, 11:30:50 AM
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 11:20:51 AM
Any IPC comics pre-1970 belong to IPC/Time, so something like Valiant or Tiger and their strips would probably be off the table as they launched pre-1970, again unless there's some legal changes in the last few years.
Drat, so no Look and Learn then (Hoping for a Trigan Empire reprint...)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AP,_Fleetway_and_IPC_Comics_publications
Don't those nice folks at The Book Palace (http://www.bookpalace.com/acatalog/About-Us.html) currently have the rights to that?
Excellent news, though it's a shame about the Tiger properties, as it means no Hot Shot Hamish/Mighty Mouse, Death Wish, Jet Ace Logan, Billy's Boots, Johnny Cougar/Splash Gorton... although Roy Of The Rovers is a Tiger character, and that article seems to suggest he's Rebellion's property now.
Girls comics will likely be the best starting point for reprint, as there's a lot of stuff in Jinty that pre-empted the YA dystopian genre by decades and stands a good chance of finding an audience outside retro comics fans.
Quote from: Professor Bear on 25 August, 2016, 12:14:19 PM
Excellent news, though it's a shame about the Tiger properties, as it means no Hot Shot Hamish/Mighty Mouse, Death Wish, Jet Ace Logan, Billy's Boots, Johnny Cougar/Splash Gorton... although Roy Of The Rovers is a Tiger character, and that article seems to suggest he's Rebellion's property now.
Girls comics will likely be the best starting point for reprint, as there's a lot of stuff in Jinty that pre-empted the YA dystopian genre by decades and stands a good chance of finding an audience outside retro comics fans.
IIRC, Roy - like Dan Dare - was spun off legally years ago, so is separate from Tiger.
Wow, just wow. There is potentially a lot to get excited about here. Just read the news when looking at the BBC website at lunch and dashed straight over to see I'm late to the party!
Clearly a lot to still learn, how this will all be used, what they own and what they'll see. It'll also, as a couple have mentioned, be interesting to see how this affects stuff that's doing the rounds elsewhere. What will happen to Hookjaw, what about the Battle reprints from Titan and more
Based on what Amstor Computer says does 2000ad own Doomlord now??? Do they?? DO THEY??? And if so can we have a complete collection please pretty please with extra please sauce....
... I need to calm down but very happy to learn that such a great achieve now rests with a company that really seems to value and know how to use this stuff. With a doff of the cap to MaryandDavid for keeping the flame burning for so long I give a mightly HOOORRRAAAHHHHH in anticipation of what might come of this.
Here's to the future of thrills of the past.
Doomlord should still be with the DDC, as it started in New Eagle which they seem to own (stuff like Death Wish or Thirteenth Floor aside).
Maybe one day?
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 12:54:25 PM
Doomlord should still be with the DDC, as it started in New Eagle which they seem to own (stuff like Death Wish or Thirteenth Floor aside).
Maybe one day?
Damnit in my celebratory haste I missed the key work 'exclusion' in you post. Teach me to get all excited... mind still exceptionally exciting news.
Quote from: Tjm86 on 25 August, 2016, 12:03:39 PM
Quote from: Pyroxian on 25 August, 2016, 11:30:50 AM
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 11:20:51 AM
Any IPC comics pre-1970 belong to IPC/Time, so something like Valiant or Tiger and their strips would probably be off the table as they launched pre-1970, again unless there's some legal changes in the last few years.
Drat, so no Look and Learn then (Hoping for a Trigan Empire reprint...)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AP,_Fleetway_and_IPC_Comics_publications
Don't those nice folks at The Book Palace (http://www.bookpalace.com/acatalog/About-Us.html) currently have the rights to that?
Looks like it - but £70 a book, and 12 in the series is out of my price range.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 25 August, 2016, 12:56:20 PM
Damnit in my celebratory haste I missed the key work 'exclusion' in you post. Teach me to get all excited... mind still exceptionally exciting news.
It is indeed! I don't envy their repro droid though - fresh lube and an extended coaching session from Tharg will be in order, I think!
Really excellent news. Rebellion have really shown in the last few years they they can package and sell classic British material so I', looking forward to a deluge of it!
13TH floor Case Files Keith? ;)
Huge congratulations to everyone involved!
Now, how the hell do I afford this? The mailing costs alone... Keith, I stand ready to helm your North American office. It's the only way to keep shoes on my children's feet!
They can't do 13th Floor case Files until they get the Sweeny Toddler Case Files out of the way.
Quick Robo-Keef, commission Mr Bolland esq to draw the cover for the first deluxe hardback immediately!
(Sweeny - first appearance 1973!)
Quote from: Dash Decent on 25 August, 2016, 01:53:09 PM
(Sweeny - first appearance 1973!)
Also working out dates - Frankie Stein - first appearance 1973 - yay!
Grimly Feendish - first appearance 1964... aww :(
Fantastic news, although I suspect that actually figuring out and negotiating exactly what they've got the rights to is going to take months of work - good luck, Robo-Keef!
Gutted if Leopard from Lime Street not in this deal, likewise Billy's boots - which originated in Scorcher in the 70's prior to merger with Tiger. But generally this is fantastic news :)
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 01:08:39 PM
It is indeed! I don't envy their repro droid though - fresh lube and an extended coaching session from Tharg will be in order, I think!
Might be why they're looking for a new one...
http://jobs.rebellion.co.uk/vacancies/245/RebJobs/junior_graphic_designer/
Quote from: Lobo Baggins on 25 August, 2016, 02:08:55 PM
Also working out dates - Frankie Stein - first appearance 1973 - yay!
Grimly Feendish - first appearance 1964... aww :(
Fantastic news, although I suspect that actually figuring out and negotiating exactly what they've got the rights to is going to take months of work - good luck, Robo-Keef!
I think Frankie might be an odd case, but I can't recall the details - David?
Quote from: Marbles on 25 August, 2016, 02:09:09 PM
Gutted if Leopard from Lime Street not in this deal, likewise Billy's boots - which originated in Scorcher in the 70's prior to merger with Tiger. But generally this is fantastic news :)
At the moment, I'd just err on the side of caution and assume most stuff post-1970 is potentially in and wait for something more official from Rebellion - the bits and pieces I've read over the years could be out-of-date now, and there may be more in the deal than it seems.
Frankie Stein first appeared in Wham! In the 60,s
We need a family tree somewhere...
Quote from: maryanddavid on 25 August, 2016, 02:18:10 PM
Frankie Stein first appeared in Wham! In the 60,s
That was it! Down the Tubes has an article up on the acquisition, and there's an explanation of the situation as it seems to be currently understood at the end:
QuoteAs we've stated many times here on downthetubes (your best source on this is our interview with former Time UK, then IPC staffer Andrew Sumner), IPC and Egmont cut a deal on classic comic character owner ships some time back. For the most part, any character published before January 1970 by Fleetway Editions is owned by Time UK (previously IPC). So titles like Lion and strips such as "Trigan Empire" are owned by them.
Comics such as Thunder, Battle, Misty and characters such as Roy of the Rovers – one exception to the "1970" rule, along with Buster comic and some of its characters – were, until now owned by Egmont, because for the most part they were first published after 1970.
The Dan Dare Corporation owns Dan Dare, some – but not all – original Eagle characters, and most characters published in the 1980s Eagle, although ownership of some will, I imagine be a matter of discussion, given later comic mergers.
DC Thomson has its own massive library of comic titles and characters, including Beano, Sparky, Commando, Bullet, Bunty, Judy, Jackie, Warlord and more.
If you're at all confused by the situation, then you're not alone. During licensing discussion I once had with Egmont, their lawyers weren't even sure what characters or comics they owned – Starlord being one example that they thought was theirs, which of course had merged with 2000AD.
The confusion also led to problems for the team on TOXIC some years back when they sought to revive Frankie Stein – only to discover IPC owned that brilliant Ken Reid creation, because the character was created before 1970, even though his adventures continued in various titles well beyond that year.
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 02:21:49 PM
Quote from: maryanddavid on 25 August, 2016, 02:18:10 PM
Frankie Stein first appeared in Wham! In the 60,s
That was it! Down the Tubes has an article up on the acquisition, and there's an explanation of the situation as it seems to be currently understood at the end:
QuoteAs we've stated many times here on downthetubes (your best source on this is our interview with former Time UK, then IPC staffer Andrew Sumner), IPC and Egmont cut a deal on classic comic character owner ships some time back. For the most part, any character published before January 1970 by Fleetway Editions is owned by Time UK (previously IPC). So titles like Lion and strips such as "Trigan Empire" are owned by them.
Comics such as Thunder, Battle, Misty and characters such as Roy of the Rovers – one exception to the "1970" rule, along with Buster comic and some of its characters – were, until now owned by Egmont, because for the most part they were first published after 1970.
The Dan Dare Corporation owns Dan Dare, some – but not all – original Eagle characters, and most characters published in the 1980s Eagle, although ownership of some will, I imagine be a matter of discussion, given later comic mergers.
DC Thomson has its own massive library of comic titles and characters, including Beano, Sparky, Commando, Bullet, Bunty, Judy, Jackie, Warlord and more.
If you're at all confused by the situation, then you're not alone. During licensing discussion I once had with Egmont, their lawyers weren't even sure what characters or comics they owned – Starlord being one example that they thought was theirs, which of course had merged with 2000AD.
The confusion also led to problems for the team on TOXIC some years back when they sought to revive Frankie Stein – only to discover IPC owned that brilliant Ken Reid creation, because the character was created before 1970, even though his adventures continued in various titles well beyond that year.
1970 is the critical year, and sadly it's not quite as simple as January of that year, because Adam Eterno debuted in October 1970, but belongs to IPC. There was an excellent interview with IPC's Andrew Sumner back in 2005 when the Albion miniseries from Wildstorm temporarily revived several of the characters detailing the breakdown of who owned what. I'm not sure that as a new poster I can include a link to another site, but if you search for his name, Albion and IPC, you should find the interview (there are two, but the relevant one is titled Comics and Crumpets volume three). The most relevant text is this bit:
Quote from: Andrew SumnerIPC and Egmont Fleetway finally agreed respective ownership of intellectual property rights in the mid 1990's. Which is why the (mostly terrible, except for Peter Hogan's Steel Claw) 2000AD Action Special, which was published in 1992 was a complete mistake. Fleetway didn't know at that time that they didn't own the rights to those characters.
"The short answer is that IPC Media own all of the classic 1950's and 1960's IPC characters (and I'm talking about adventure characters, humour characters, sporting characters and the girls' comic characters), Andrew reveals. "That includes the intellectual property rights for every company that it absorbed along the way (Odhams, Amalgamated Press, etc) – including magazine brands, comic characters, registered logos, etc.
"The actual ownership rights work like this," Andrew outlines. "With one or two specified exceptions (which I'll get to in a moment), IPC Media owns every IPC comic character created before 1970. Egmont-Fleetway owns every IPC character created after 1970. So, IPC owns Lion, Valiant, Pow, Tiger, etc and all their respective characters, while Egmont-Fleetway owns Cor!!, Action, Battle and all their respective characters.
"The exceptions to this pre-1970 ownership threshold for IPC are 26 specifically-named characters (including the Leopard of Lime Street and a bunch of humour characters such as Buster himself) that featured in Buster — which was still being actively published by Fleetway when the IPC/Fleetway agreement was made. So the creation date does not apply to these characters and they are owned by Egmont-Fleetway.
"The other small exceptions are Dan Dare and Roy of the Rovers, who have both been sold off to other concerns a long time ago (a chronic mistake by a previous IPC administration, in my opinion)."
In terms of the previously mentioned Look and Learn and Trigan Empire, the other Down the Tubes interview with Andrew (titled Albion Man) clarified
QuoteDOWNTHETUBES: IPC recently sold rights to Look and Learn but you retained the rights to some key strips, such as Trigan Empire. What was the reason for this?
Andrew: Trigan Empire is a valuable slice of steady-earning intellectual property for IPC, we'd be crazy to sell the rights on to a third party. As I've said before, if I could nip back in a time machine and undo the work of a previous administration, I would never have sold off Dan Dare and Eagle.
The Albion guys found my website helpful when they were doing their research for the series, so Andrew and I communicated a few times, which is when he confirmed that Adam Eterno remained with IPC, and he also clarified who this referred to:
QuoteThe exceptions to this pre-1970 ownership threshold for IPC are 26 specifically-named characters (including the Leopard of Lime Street and a bunch of humour characters such as Buster himself) that featured in Buster — which was still being actively published by Fleetway when the IPC/Fleetway agreement was made. So the creation date does not apply to these characters and they are owned by Egmont-Fleetway.
QuoteHere's the list of the 28 Buster characters owned by Egmont Fleetway, not IPC:
Buster
Buster and the Big One
Wonder Worm
Rent-A-Ghost Ltd
Clever Dick
Faceache
Football Madd
Ivor Lott and Tony Broke
Chalky
Tomboy
Bluebottle and Basher
Mummy's Boy
X-Ray Specs
The Winners
Jack Pott
Toys of Doom
Back-Tracker Jack
Thunderbolt the Avenger
Galaxus the Thing From Outer Space
The Skid Kids
The Wizard of Football
Crabbe's Crusaders
Fishboy Denizen of the Deep
Pete's Pocket Army
Marney the Fox
Sammy Brewster's Secret Ski-Board Squad
The Leopard from Lime Street
Astounding Adventures of Charlie Peace (but this does NOT include rights to the Charlie Peace character, who was a real bloke and therefore in the public domain)
So anyone on that last list is presumably now included in the rights Rebellion has purchased.
Quote from: loki on 25 August, 2016, 03:31:11 PM
1970 is the critical year, and sadly it's not quite as simple as January of that year, because Adam Eterno debuted in October 1970, but belongs to IPC. There was an excellent interview with IPC's Andrew Sumner back in 2005 when the Albion miniseries from Wildstorm temporarily revived several of the characters detailing the breakdown of who owned what. I'm not sure that as a new poster I can include a link to another site, but if you search for his name, Albion and IPC, you should find the interview (there are two, but the relevant one is titled Comics and Crumpets volume three).
Here you are (and thanks for the info!)
Comics and Crumpets Vol. 3
http://downthetubes.net/?p=12052 (http://downthetubes.net/?p=12052)
Albion Man
http://downthetubes.net/?p=12054 (http://downthetubes.net/?p=12054)
This forum needs a thanks button...
Quote from: Pyroxian on 25 August, 2016, 03:54:28 PM
This forum needs a thanks button...
It's at Amazon UK, under the "send all future Rebellion collections to..." button ;)
Additionally, while I remember: IPC own the Odhams characters, such as Rubberman and Johnny Future/Missing Link, but not the ten characters who were introduced in Pow Annual 1971, a weird affair that included all new stories of all new characters rather than pre-existing characters or reprint strips from any prior Odhams title. That's not confirmation that they are included in the rights Rebellion now has (though they may be), but just that they weren't among those IPC owned.
Quote from: Will Cooling on 25 August, 2016, 11:23:45 AM
Obviously retro-content is of most interest to the BBC but does anyone know if Crisis and Revolver counts as part of the 'Fleetway' archive? Because if 2000AD now owns them - that would be great...*starts drooling at Third World War digital collection*
I'm guessing it includes Revolver apart from Dare; Crisis was by Fleetway but most of it appears to be creator-owned. I don't suppose the deal includes licensed stuff, either - so no Sonic the Comic or the Action Force bits of Battle Action Force.
Quote from: Lobo Baggins on 25 August, 2016, 04:05:02 PM
I don't suppose the deal includes licensed stuff, either - so no Sonic the Comic or the Action Force bits of Battle Action Force.
If it does include them, but they'd probably have to renegotiate rights from the other parties.
Quote from: Lobo Baggins on 25 August, 2016, 04:05:02 PM
Quote from: Will Cooling on 25 August, 2016, 11:23:45 AM
Obviously retro-content is of most interest to the BBC but does anyone know if Crisis and Revolver counts as part of the 'Fleetway' archive? Because if 2000AD now owns them - that would be great...*starts drooling at Third World War digital collection*
I'm guessing it includes Revolver apart from Dare; Crisis was by Fleetway but most of it appears to be creator-owned. I don't suppose the deal includes licensed stuff, either - so no Sonic the Comic or the Action Force bits of Battle Action Force.
In terms of Action Force, when comics are done for licensed properties, while the ownership of the characters usually belongs to the licensor, the licensee often retains ownership of the actual stories. For example:
When Dark Horse lost the license for Star Wars to Marvel, Marvel gained the rights to do new stories including ones using new characters who were originally introduced in the Dark Horse comics, because those characters belonged to Lucasfilm (in turn now owned by Marvel's owner, Disney). However, Marvel had to individually purchase the files for any Star Wars stories Dark Horse had produced if they wanted to do a reprint.
It all depends on original contracts, so it varies from case to case, but it is possible that while Rebellion couldn't republish Action Force because they are owned by Hasbro (I think) and licensed to IDW (as GI Joe), the same could be true for IDW, because the individual stories may have belonged to Egmont. If (and it is only if) this is the case, then neither can reprint without the other. That's why neither Marvel nor IDW can currently reprint Micronauts or Rom (main characters owned by licensor, but story and other elements owned by Marvel). Crucially, it also holds true for Godzilla and Master of Kung-Fu (which includes the licensed Fu Manchu), both of which did get/are getting reprints, because the different rights holders worked out a deal.
Quote from: Pyroxian on 25 August, 2016, 04:23:33 PM
Quote from: Lobo Baggins on 25 August, 2016, 04:05:02 PM
I don't suppose the deal includes licensed stuff, either - so no Sonic the Comic or the Action Force bits of Battle Action Force.
If it does include them, but they'd probably have to renegotiate rights from the other parties.
Or, what he said.
Great news, good to hear that so many British comics of the 70s and 80s are now with a company who will actually do something with them!
Quote from: sheridan on 25 August, 2016, 07:10:30 PM
Great news, good to hear that so many British comics of the 70s and 80s are now with a company who will actually do something with them!
It would be interesting, and perhaps a little worrying if the answer turns out as it appear to, if it turned out that Rebellion was actually making more money off of tooth than its games.
I just realized this means Rebellion now owns The Amazing Three from Jackpot: the Blue Wizard, Oakman, and Tanya who showed up in Zenith Phase III. Somebody get a script to Steve Yeowell to draw, soon, please. I love those characters.
Quote from: Grant Goggans on 25 August, 2016, 07:59:11 PM
I just realized this means Rebellion now owns The Amazing Three from Jackpot: the Blue Wizard, Oakman, and Tanya who showed up in Zenith Phase III. Somebody get a script to Steve Yeowell to draw, soon, please. I love those characters.
"Before Zenith..."
Quote from: Pyroxian on 25 August, 2016, 08:14:24 PM
Quote from: Grant Goggans on 25 August, 2016, 07:59:11 PM
I just realized this means Rebellion now owns The Amazing Three from Jackpot: the Blue Wizard, Oakman, and Tanya who showed up in Zenith Phase III. Somebody get a script to Steve Yeowell to draw, soon, please. I love those characters.
"Before Zenith..."
:lol:
Well played.
Quote from: Pyroxian on 25 August, 2016, 08:14:24 PM
Quote from: Grant Goggans on 25 August, 2016, 07:59:11 PM
I just realized this means Rebellion now owns The Amazing Three from Jackpot: the Blue Wizard, Oakman, and Tanya who showed up in Zenith Phase III. Somebody get a script to Steve Yeowell to draw, soon, please. I love those characters.
"Before Zenith..."
Arf. You could save time and call it Nadir from the start.
Quote from: Marbles on 25 August, 2016, 02:09:09 PM
Gutted if Leopard from Lime Street not in this deal, likewise Billy's boots - which originated in Scorcher in the 70's prior to merger with Tiger. But generally this is fantastic news :)
Don't be gutted about the Leopard - he is ours!!!!!!
QuoteDon't be gutted about the Leopard - he is ours!!!!!!
Brill :-)
Any chance of you being in a position to lay out exactly what Rebellion have once the dust is settled a bit? There's a hell of a treasure trove there!
That will happen - not really my place at this stage.
Quote from: Robo-K33F on 25 August, 2016, 10:44:37 PM
That will happen - not really my place at this stage.
No worries - will be fascinating to see what's all part of the archive!
Don't be gutted about the Leopard - he is ours!!!!!! :D
It's like following your favourite soccer team and a rich Russian is signing loads of quality players!
2000AD now own The Leopard from Lime Street?
That's f*#&ing zarjaz!
Quote from: Robo-K33F on 25 August, 2016, 10:30:36 PM
Don't be gutted about the Leopard - he is ours!!!!!!
B R I L L I A N T!
Humorous strips aside, this is the story I would most like to see collected outside of the 2000AD stable.
And just to get in first, it's completely unlike Spiderman:
The main character is called Billy.
He lives in England.
Erm....
Leopard from Lime Street was a strip I remember from my Buster reading days. Has anyone read it recently does it stand up to the memories that surround it. It looks glorious regardless and I'm very excited to see it again as and when.
Brilliant news. Can't wait to hear more info.
Obviously it's early days but presumably this will likely halt anymore Hook Jaw miniseries from Titan.
Stak! This is the most wondrous news.
Between this & Titan, Stevie need never ever purchase an America comic ever again. Stevie will PM you his PIN number, Robo-K33f.
Buster was the second greatest British weekly EVAH.
Both hands up in the Oort Cloud in agreement with Indigo Prime suggestion of a Compleat Oink too.*
As luck would have the first issue of Tammy was cover dated 6 Feb 1971.
Is it too early to start clamouring for a Fiends of The Eastern Front / Salves of war Orpahn Farm crossover courtesy of John Smith & Jim Burns?
*Fingers crossed that IP issues with the Dan Dare Corporation doesn't preclude the inclusion of Ham Dare ;)
So where does this leave Hibernia Press? If they won't be able to republish any more of this old stuff, Rebellion could do a lot worse than subcontract some of the work to them, as they've always done a fantastic job with the repro and editing .
I'm interested to see what rebellion would do with Charleys War. The titan hardcovers are really good...
Quote from: Dandontdare on 26 August, 2016, 08:45:54 AM
So where does this leave Hibernia Press? If they won't be able to republish any more of this old stuff, Rebellion could do a lot worse than subcontract some of the work to them, as they've always done a fantastic job with the repro and editing .
David at Hibernia Press was one of the first people that I contacted after the deal was signed. We have a great relationship with him (he has just recently written an excellent feature that will be included in the 2nd Dan Dare book) and I'm sure that we will be collaborating further in the future.
See, this is the reason why it's so great to have a company like Rebellion owning this stuff. \o/
Quote from: Robo-K33F on 26 August, 2016, 09:36:51 AM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 26 August, 2016, 08:45:54 AM
So where does this leave Hibernia Press? If they won't be able to republish any more of this old stuff, Rebellion could do a lot worse than subcontract some of the work to them, as they've always done a fantastic job with the repro and editing .
David at Hibernia Press was one of the first people that I contacted after the deal was signed. We have a great relationship with him (he has just recently written an excellent feature that will be included in the 2nd Dan Dare book) and I'm sure that we will be collaborating further in the future.
Fantastic.
Quote from: loki on 25 August, 2016, 03:31:11 PM
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 02:21:49 PM
Quote from: maryanddavid on 25 August, 2016, 02:18:10 PM
Frankie Stein first appeared in Wham! In the 60,s
That was it! Down the Tubes has an article up on the acquisition, and there's an explanation of the situation as it seems to be currently understood at the end:
QuoteAs we've stated many times here on downthetubes (your best source on this is our interview with former Time UK, then IPC staffer Andrew Sumner), IPC and Egmont cut a deal on classic comic character owner ships some time back. For the most part, any character published before January 1970 by Fleetway Editions is owned by Time UK (previously IPC). So titles like Lion and strips such as "Trigan Empire" are owned by them.
Comics such as Thunder, Battle, Misty and characters such as Roy of the Rovers – one exception to the "1970" rule, along with Buster comic and some of its characters – were, until now owned by Egmont, because for the most part they were first published after 1970.
The Dan Dare Corporation owns Dan Dare, some – but not all – original Eagle characters, and most characters published in the 1980s Eagle, although ownership of some will, I imagine be a matter of discussion, given later comic mergers.
DC Thomson has its own massive library of comic titles and characters, including Beano, Sparky, Commando, Bullet, Bunty, Judy, Jackie, Warlord and more.
If you're at all confused by the situation, then you're not alone. During licensing discussion I once had with Egmont, their lawyers weren't even sure what characters or comics they owned – Starlord being one example that they thought was theirs, which of course had merged with 2000AD.
The confusion also led to problems for the team on TOXIC some years back when they sought to revive Frankie Stein – only to discover IPC owned that brilliant Ken Reid creation, because the character was created before 1970, even though his adventures continued in various titles well beyond that year.
1970 is the critical year, and sadly it's not quite as simple as January of that year, because Adam Eterno debuted in October 1970, but belongs to IPC. There was an excellent interview with IPC's Andrew Sumner back in 2005 when the Albion miniseries from Wildstorm temporarily revived several of the characters detailing the breakdown of who owned what. I'm not sure that as a new poster I can include a link to another site, but if you search for his name, Albion and IPC, you should find the interview (there are two, but the relevant one is titled Comics and Crumpets volume three). The most relevant text is this bit:
Quote from: Andrew SumnerIPC and Egmont Fleetway finally agreed respective ownership of intellectual property rights in the mid 1990's. Which is why the (mostly terrible, except for Peter Hogan's Steel Claw) 2000AD Action Special, which was published in 1992 was a complete mistake. Fleetway didn't know at that time that they didn't own the rights to those characters.
"The short answer is that IPC Media own all of the classic 1950's and 1960's IPC characters (and I'm talking about adventure characters, humour characters, sporting characters and the girls' comic characters), Andrew reveals. "That includes the intellectual property rights for every company that it absorbed along the way (Odhams, Amalgamated Press, etc) – including magazine brands, comic characters, registered logos, etc.
"The actual ownership rights work like this," Andrew outlines. "With one or two specified exceptions (which I'll get to in a moment), IPC Media owns every IPC comic character created before 1970. Egmont-Fleetway owns every IPC character created after 1970. So, IPC owns Lion, Valiant, Pow, Tiger, etc and all their respective characters, while Egmont-Fleetway owns Cor!!, Action, Battle and all their respective characters.
"The exceptions to this pre-1970 ownership threshold for IPC are 26 specifically-named characters (including the Leopard of Lime Street and a bunch of humour characters such as Buster himself) that featured in Buster — which was still being actively published by Fleetway when the IPC/Fleetway agreement was made. So the creation date does not apply to these characters and they are owned by Egmont-Fleetway.
"The other small exceptions are Dan Dare and Roy of the Rovers, who have both been sold off to other concerns a long time ago (a chronic mistake by a previous IPC administration, in my opinion)."
In terms of the previously mentioned Look and Learn and Trigan Empire, the other Down the Tubes interview with Andrew (titled Albion Man) clarified
QuoteDOWNTHETUBES: IPC recently sold rights to Look and Learn but you retained the rights to some key strips, such as Trigan Empire. What was the reason for this?
Andrew: Trigan Empire is a valuable slice of steady-earning intellectual property for IPC, we'd be crazy to sell the rights on to a third party. As I've said before, if I could nip back in a time machine and undo the work of a previous administration, I would never have sold off Dan Dare and Eagle.
The Albion guys found my website helpful when they were doing their research for the series, so Andrew and I communicated a few times, which is when he confirmed that Adam Eterno remained with IPC, and he also clarified who this referred to:
QuoteThe exceptions to this pre-1970 ownership threshold for IPC are 26 specifically-named characters (including the Leopard of Lime Street and a bunch of humour characters such as Buster himself) that featured in Buster — which was still being actively published by Fleetway when the IPC/Fleetway agreement was made. So the creation date does not apply to these characters and they are owned by Egmont-Fleetway.
QuoteHere's the list of the 28 Buster characters owned by Egmont Fleetway, not IPC:
Buster
Buster and the Big One
Wonder Worm
Rent-A-Ghost Ltd
Clever Dick
Faceache
Football Madd
Ivor Lott and Tony Broke
Chalky
Tomboy
Bluebottle and Basher
Mummy's Boy
X-Ray Specs
The Winners
Jack Pott
Toys of Doom
Back-Tracker Jack
Thunderbolt the Avenger
Galaxus the Thing From Outer Space
The Skid Kids
The Wizard of Football
Crabbe's Crusaders
Fishboy Denizen of the Deep
Pete's Pocket Army
Marney the Fox
Sammy Brewster's Secret Ski-Board Squad
The Leopard from Lime Street
Astounding Adventures of Charlie Peace (but this does NOT include rights to the Charlie Peace character, who was a real bloke and therefore in the public domain)
So anyone on that last list is presumably now included in the rights Rebellion has purchased.
Charlie Peace!!
I am on the verge of a involuntary bowel movement.
I remember reading about Leah Moore and John Reppion pitching a post Albion Charlie Peace time travel story where he goes back to his Victorian version to try and reason with him.
If we really don't have Charlie then please don't tell me as I am on Fantasy island here.
Quote from: Mute77 on 26 August, 2016, 09:07:30 AM
I'm interested to see what rebellion would do with Charleys War. The titan hardcovers are really good...
Except for the missing poppy on the third volume! Let's see - the briefly touted box set? The French version with colour pages? An artists edition (I know, seriously wishful thinking). The Centenary of the end of the First World War would be a nice time to do something special but yeah, Titan did set the bar quite high.
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 02:15:28 PM
Quote from: Lobo Baggins on 25 August, 2016, 02:08:55 PM
Also working out dates - Frankie Stein - first appearance 1973 - yay!
Grimly Feendish - first appearance 1964... aww :(
Fantastic news, although I suspect that actually figuring out and negotiating exactly what they've got the rights to is going to take months of work - good luck, Robo-Keef!
I think Frankie might be an odd case, but I can't recall the details - David?
Quote from: Marbles on 25 August, 2016, 02:09:09 PM
Gutted if Leopard from Lime Street not in this deal, likewise Billy's boots - which originated in Scorcher in the 70's prior to merger with Tiger. But generally this is fantastic news :)
At the moment, I'd just err on the side of caution and assume most stuff post-1970 is potentially in and wait for something more official from Rebellion - the bits and pieces I've read over the years could be out-of-date now, and there may be more in the deal than it seems.
Frankie Stein is owned by Time UK - Egmont tried to revive him for TOXIC but ran foul of ownership. No idea why if post 1970. There are some grey areas.
Quote from: Prodigal2 on 26 August, 2016, 10:44:35 AM
Quote from: loki on 25 August, 2016, 03:31:11 PM
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 25 August, 2016, 02:21:49 PM
Quote1970 is the critical year, and sadly it's not quite as simple as January of that year, because Adam Eterno debuted in October 1970, but belongs to IPC.
I've truncated your post, but there still seems to be some confusion around Adam Eterno and the other characters who first appeared in Thunder. Noting that Andrew Sumner made the claim about Eterno in 2005, here's what happened later.
In 2007, I started talking to Egmont about possible digital comic reprints of some of their characters and the lists I was sent then by their legal department and in 2008 form the basis of this new article on what Rebellion now owns: http://downthetubes.net/?p=33494
At the time, aware of the "January 1970" agreement, I asked about THUNDER because of its publication date (and because I like Adam Eterno). After some toing and froing, a representative of IPC confirmed that Egmont owned THUNDER and associated characters.
So as far as far as I'm aware, unless there was a subsequent change, Eterno is owned by Rebellion.
Quote from: johnfreeman on 26 August, 2016, 12:45:49 PM
[quote author = loki]1970 is the critical year, and sadly it's not quite as simple as January of that year, because Adam Eterno debuted in October 1970, but belongs to IPC.
I've truncated your post, but there still seems to be some confusion around Adam Eterno and the other characters who first appeared in Thunder. Noting that Andrew Sumner made the claim about Eterno in 2005, here's what happened later.
In 2007, I started talking to Egmont about possible digital comic reprints of some of their characters and the lists I was sent then by their legal department and in 2008 form the basis of this new article on what Rebellion now owns: http://downthetubes.net/?p=33494
At the time, aware of the "January 1970" agreement, I asked about THUNDER because of its publication date (and because I like Adam Eterno). After some toing and froing, a representative of IPC confirmed that Egmont owned THUNDER and associated characters.
So as far as far as I'm aware, unless there was a subsequent change, Eterno is owned by Rebellion.
[/quote]
As your information is more recent, you probably have the right of things. Besides, I want an Adam Eterno collection, and Time were clearly not rushing to put one out, so it works out better on a purely personal level if Rebellion have the rights to the character.
Quote from: Robo-K33F on 26 August, 2016, 09:36:51 AM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 26 August, 2016, 08:45:54 AM
So where does this leave Hibernia Press? If they won't be able to republish any more of this old stuff, Rebellion could do a lot worse than subcontract some of the work to them, as they've always done a fantastic job with the repro and editing .
David at Hibernia Press was one of the first people that I contacted after the deal was signed. We have a great relationship with him (he has just recently written an excellent feature that will be included in the 2nd Dan Dare book) and I'm sure that we will be collaborating further in the future.
Just want to join the chorus of approval for this post. Well played all concerned and I do hope David can be involved in whatever way is practical.
Quote from: johnfreeman on 26 August, 2016, 12:34:02 PM
Frankie Stein is owned by Time UK - Egmont tried to revive him for TOXIC but ran foul of ownership. No idea why if post 1970.
Frankie Stein originally appeared in the 1960s, so he stays on the IPC Media side of the line.
Rebellion, we also need a collection of the Bad Time Bed Time stories.
Thanks!
Just to add my wish list....would love a collection of Scream.
Many thanks to Rebellion for keeping Hibernia involved in this. Thoroughly decent of them, and the right thing to do.
(Oh, and thanks for buying all those comic rights as well!)
Now, wheres my complete Oink! collection, Rebellion?
I did wonder where that left Hibernia, but they were one of the first to post a celebratory reply on a facebook thread, so that put my mind more at rest.
Just want to doff my hat to Rebellion for this, bloody amazing news!
Now, bungle The Amazing Three, Triman and Leopard of Lime Street in to one volume, slap "From the Pages of Grant Morrisons ZENITH..." and watch copies fly off the shleves!
Wow, great news.
I'd be all over complete Scream & Oink collections.
Quote from: Link Prime on 26 August, 2016, 07:11:13 PM
Scream & Oink
Ah, the great merger that never happened :)
Quote from: Link Prime on 26 August, 2016, 07:11:13 PM
I'd be all over complete Scream & Oink collections.
Ah, the fetishist's compendium.
Any FQP contributor worth their creative onions is thinking up a Doomlord pitch right now.
Doomlord's owned by the Dan Dare Corporation.
...and I seem to remember one of the co-editors of Oink! saying on Facebook that although Egmont owned the rights to the title "Oink!", at least some of the characters remained the copyright of the creators themselves. That might complicate reprints if true.
Quote from: M.I.K. on 26 August, 2016, 08:41:11 PM
Doomlord's owned by the Dan Dare Corporation.
How the
fuck did that happen?!
They own the rights to the bulk of new Eagle. When I was trying to cobble together a feature on Computer Warrior for Retro Gamer many moons ago, it was Dan Dare Corp. that I had to try and secure permission from for reprint.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 26 August, 2016, 09:26:59 PM
They own the rights to the bulk of new Eagle. When I was trying to cobble together a feature on Computer Warrior for Retro Gamer many moons ago, it was Dan Dare Corp. that I had to try and secure permission from for reprint.
Yup. Pretty much anything that first appeared in New Eagle is DDC. Strips like Thirteenth Floor or Monster which moved there with the Scream! merger were with Egmont but are now, obviously, with Rebellion.
That sadly means that the dream of a Complete Saddle Tramp dies here... ;)
There goes the dream of a Joe Soap hardback.
Walk or Die Dead?
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 26 August, 2016, 09:20:52 PM
Quote from: M.I.K. on 26 August, 2016, 08:41:11 PM
Doomlord's owned by the Dan Dare Corporation.
How the fuck did that happen?!
Indeed.
That's a right pain, sucked into the black hole of comics. Thank grud for Hibernia at least.
A re-imagining of Sid's Snake.
Drawn by Pete Wells if Simon Davis is not available.
I want a proper collection of roy of the rovers :)
Quote from: Steve Green on 27 August, 2016, 09:53:01 AM
A re-imagining of Sid's Snake.
Drawn by Pete Wells if Simon Davis is not available.
Just set the internet on fire and cut out the middle man.
Quote from: JOE SOAP on 26 August, 2016, 09:56:06 PM
There goes the dream of a Joe Soap hardback.
We could always cobble together a collection of your most insightful posts.
Maybe get Adi Shankar to finance it.
Quote from: M.I.K. on 26 August, 2016, 08:41:11 PM
Doomlord's owned by the Dan Dare Corporation.
NUUUUUUUUU!
Oh well. I guess I'll just wait until DDC does something with it.
Quote from: Hawkmumbler on 27 August, 2016, 10:10:48 AM
Quote from: Steve Green on 27 August, 2016, 09:53:01 AM
A re-imagining of Sid's Snake.
Drawn by Pete Wells if Simon Davis is not available.
Just set the internet on fire and cut out the middle man.
:D
Quote from: Professor Bear on 27 August, 2016, 11:30:48 AM
NUUUUUUUUU!
No, no, no - you're not doing it properly!
It's pronounced NII!
Quote from: M.I.K. on 26 August, 2016, 08:41:11 PM
Doomlord's owned by the Dan Dare Corporation.
I'm sure Hibernia released a Doomlord collection. If Hibernia can organise it, then I'm sure Rebellion could if they wanted to - thought it sounds like they've got more than enough material to work with for the foreseeable future.
Quote from: Lobo Baggins on 27 August, 2016, 01:02:19 PM
Quote from: Professor Bear on 27 August, 2016, 11:30:48 AM
NUUUUUUUUU!
No, no, no - you're not doing it properly!
It's pronounced NII!
No, no, no. Hold your head like this, then go "Waaah!" Try it again.
Quote from: Dash Decent on 27 August, 2016, 01:03:29 PMI'm sure Hibernia released a Doomlord collection. If Hibernia can organise it, then I'm sure Rebellion could if they wanted to - thought it sounds like they've got more than enough material to work with for the foreseeable future.
Yup - David put out a collection of the first illustrated strip, "The Deathlords", with art by Heinzl (according to my info, this was actually Alberto Giolitti, with some possible assistance from other members of Studio Giolitti) back in 2006.
Another Doomlord collection would be wonderful (I know David wants to get Doomie's photostrips out there too, and I've done some work on figuring out how best to approach the repro) but that really depends on the DDC giving permission. In the meantime, we managed to squeeze a neat Doomlord one-off into the Eagle Adventure Special earlier this year - it's not quite the "Books of Nox Vol. 1" everyone wants, but it's something!
There was a Gobots / Robo-Machines strip in New Eagle, wasn't there? Does Dan Dare Corporation somehow own that, too?
The Gobots franchise was eventually bought up by Hasbro and is currently part of the Transformers franchise, so Robo Machines is likely a licensing nightmare.
Hasbro don't seem to care much about sites like Blood For The Baron (http://www.bloodforthebaron.com/) hosting their old 1980s licensed strips from the UK like Action Force and Zoids, though, so that's probably the only way you'll see those old comics.
Quote from: Grant Goggans on 27 August, 2016, 01:23:38 PM
There was a Gobots / Robo-Machines strip in New Eagle, wasn't there? Does Dan Dare Corporation somehow own that, too?
Yeah, there were quite a few licensed strips - Robo-Machines, MASK, the various Computer Warrior tales tied in to real-life games etc. - but I can't imagine that the DDC are in a position to give permission to reprint them on their own. At best, anyone wanting to reprint, say, the Computer Warrior tales would have to get approval from the DDC who would probably say they own the strip artwork etc., and from the companies who currently hold the rights to the videogames. That could mean that anyone wanting to reprint Computer Warrior would likely have to deal with the DDC, Activision Blizzard (who seem to now have the rights to a number of the games released by companies at the time who are now defunct), Sony, Dan Aykroyd, Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis's estate and Bill Murray (for the Ghostbusters tie-in) and at least two or three more companies - and that would be for the first year or two of the strip!
It's a damn shame the situation is so complex, as Computer Warrior is a fascinating strip - it's arguably the comic industry's response to the growing perceived threat of videogames, so it has historical interest, and it's pretty well-written and nicely illustrated by a number of great artists - and it would be a fantastic collection.
Downthetubes has a list of what Rebellion have scored in their haul: Click! (http://downthetubes.net/?p=33494)
Quote from: Dash Decent on 27 August, 2016, 02:04:50 PM
Downthetubes has a list of what Rebellion have scored in their haul: Click! (http://downthetubes.net/?p=33494)
There's such a wonderful range of titles there, but it's the humour comics that stand out for me. The range of great IPC humour comics has never really been touched for reprint, barring some of the "Best of Whoopee" etc. that were put out in the '80s, and British kids humour comics seem to be perceived as just "the Beano and Dandy", which - great as they are/were at their best - does a disservice to the genre.
I've got a collection of Whoopee and Shiver 'n Shake and there are some fantastic strips in there, but the crown jewel has got to be Ken Reid's fantastic pin-ups - World Wide Weirdies, or the Creepy Creations and Wanted posters - which were glorious colour pictures that ran weekly for years. Although a lot of Reid's work is out-of-reach of even Rebellion (I believe a lot of his pre-1970s work is owned by Time now, and that's arguably his peak) there's some fantastic work from him among this archive.
A series of Ken Reid collections, perhaps mixing stuff like Faceache in with the best of his pin-ups in full colour, would be a fantastic line for Rebellion to explore now they have this - particularly as Reid's more grotesque take on humour comics seems to mesh well with Rebellion, 2000AD and artists like Kev O'Neill - and perhaps a chance to give Reid the recognition he deserves and show that British humour comics were more than just the Beano and Dandy.
World Wide Weirdie: The Collected Ken Reid Vol. 1, please? ;)
Quote from: Dash Decent on 27 August, 2016, 02:04:50 PM
Downthetubes has a list of what Rebellion have scored in their haul: Click! (http://downthetubes.net/?p=33494)
I think we're going to have to wait for word from Rebellion before we know exactly what's what - Egmont Fleetway have always been so vague about what they actually owned I rather suspect that they never had a definitive list themselves (confusion over the ownership of Starlord and Tornado characters detailed further up the thread, and it took them a while to find out who Frankie Stein belonged to) and trying to work it out ourselves probably won't lead anywhere (I couldn't even work out if Rebellion always owned Diceman, even though it's mainly 2000AD characters...)
But this is going to be
hundreds of strips - maybe thousands...
Quote from: Professor Bear on 27 August, 2016, 11:30:48 AMOh well. I guess I'll just wait until DDC does something with it.
Don't hold your breath.
Quote from: Professor Bear on 27 August, 2016, 01:34:05 PMHasbro don't seem to care much about sites like Blood For The Baron (http://www.bloodforthebaron.com/) hosting their old 1980s licensed strips from the UK like Action Force and Zoids, though
From what I understand, that's in part because no-one can figure out who owns the rights to Zoids. IDW looked into doing something with that (largely because of the Grant Morrison run, long out of print), but head brick walls to the point it was no longer viable.
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 27 August, 2016, 01:39:58 PMthe Computer Warrior tales would have to get approval from the DDC who would probably say they own the strip artwork etc., and from the companies who currently hold the rights to the videogames
If there's one industry messier the comics rights, it's videogames. Plenty of games are in legal limbo; many are 'owned' by companies that don't actually have the rights; others are owned outright by organisations that have no idea they have them. Even perfectly trackable trails of ownership aren't evident to the wider world. Ask people into videogames who owns Battlezone, for example, and many would assume the Infogrames incarnation of Atari, where in fact Rebellion grabbed that property a while back. (Which is probably why the new Vector Tanks hasn't been sued off of the App Store.)
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 27 August, 2016, 02:28:27 PM
Quote from: Dash Decent on 27 August, 2016, 02:04:50 PM
Downthetubes has a list of what Rebellion have scored in their haul: Click! (http://downthetubes.net/?p=33494)
There's such a wonderful range of titles there, but it's the humour comics that stand out for me.
Indeed - I'd love to see some Krazy/Cheeky stuff - as a kid, these comics felt so modern after all those other comics featuring teachers in mortar boards, slipperings and slap up feeds.
PS - why did girls comics all have such unimaginative names?
Quote from: Dandontdare on 27 August, 2016, 03:03:02 PM
PS - why did girls comics all have such unimaginative names?
Because nicking the names of military aircraft didn't seem as appropriate.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 27 August, 2016, 02:49:23 PMIf there's one industry messier the comics rights, it's videogames. Plenty of games are in legal limbo; many are 'owned' by companies that don't actually have the rights; others are owned outright by organisations that have no idea they have them. Even perfectly trackable trails of ownership aren't evident to the wider world. Ask people into videogames who owns Battlezone, for example, and many would assume the Infogrames incarnation of Atari, where in fact Rebellion grabbed that property a while back. (Which is probably why the new Vector Tanks hasn't been sued off of the App Store.)
Yup - it's hellishly messy. Sticking with Computer Warrior for a moment, let's assume you're a publisher wanting to put out a modest first collection of the strip, starting from when it was titled "The Ultimate Warrior". First, you have to deal with the owner of the strip itself - apparently the DDC - then you have to start looking into rights issues for the games used in the strip:
The Ultimate Warrior - Zyklon Attack (we're clear here - this was an invented game, so no rights-holder to deal with)
Wizard of Wor - The First Test (assuming the developer didn't hold rights to this, the original publisher was Midway. Midway collapsed in 2009, and most of their assets went to Warner Bros. Assuming WB got Wizard of Wor, you have to then approach WB to discuss reprinting the strip and agree on any licensing fee)
Pastfinder - The Second Test (originally published by Activision on the C64 etc., so presumably Activision Blizzard are the point-of-contact here for discussing licensing)
Rescue on Fractalus! - The Third Test (developed by Lucasfilm Games, but originally published by Activision. If the rights to the game were reserved by Lucasfilm Games, they would have gone to LucasArts and eventually to Disney, after they bought out LucasArts with Lucasfilm a few years back. If not, you're talking to Activision Blizzard again)
The Great American Cross-Country Road Race - The Fourth Test (another one published by Activision, so assuming Alex DeMeo - the designer - didn't retain any rights it's another for Activision Blizzard)
Ghostbusters - The Fifth Test (Possibly the most complex - developed by David Crane and originally published by Activision, but the Ghostbusters franchise rights belong to Sony, Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis - or his estate now - Dan Ackroyd and Bill Murray. Do you have to deal with them all or just the Sony etc. side?)
That's a collection around 150-170 pages long, IIRC, so not too substantial, but you're now looking at - best-case scenario - having to deal with:
The Dan Dare Corporation
Warner Bros.
Activision Blizzard
Sony et al.
Worst case, you could be looking at having to contact and negotiate with:
The Dan Dare Corporation
Warner Bros.
Activision Blizzard
Disney
Sony et al.
The various original designers, assuming they retained rights
Any other third parties who may have acquired specific rights to one or more of the games in the meantime
...and all that for a book which, even assuming you can get the publicity hook right and keep your production costs low, isn't going to be a seller on the scale of something like a new Dredd release and will likely not make a lot of money for you.
Even if all you have to do is get written approval from the rights-holders and you don't actually have to pay a licensing fee to anyone but the DDC, you still have that cost to take into account AND the costs involved in corresponding with the various companies.
...oh, and as there is apparently no existing film or art archive for this material, now you also have to pay for the relevant issues, scanning and clean-up to get usable print files to even get the book to print!
It's one of the handful of Eagle tales that always comes up when asking people what they would like to see reprinted - along with Doomlord, The Thirteenth Floor, Kennedy's Dan Dare run and a few others - but it's arguably one of the most difficult reprint prospects in all of British comics given the investigation, negotiations and costs involved.
Quote from: M.I.K. on 27 August, 2016, 03:43:59 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 27 August, 2016, 03:03:02 PM
PS - why did girls comics all have such unimaginative names?
Because nicking the names of military aircraft didn't seem as appropriate.
VULCAN!
VICTOR!
VALIANT!
VALERIE!
Quote from: Dash Decent on 27 August, 2016, 02:04:50 PM
Downthetubes has a list of what Rebellion have scored in their haul: Click! (http://downthetubes.net/?p=33494)
No Johnny Cougar? You've spent your comic millions on SHIT, Rebellion.
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 27 August, 2016, 03:45:49 PMit's arguably one of the most difficult reprint prospects in all of British comics given the investigation, negotiations and costs involved.
Hell, it was difficult enough trying to sort a feature on the bloody thing for Retro Gamer. In the end, it went nowhere, despite your sterling efforts and some scanning from a few other people. (That said, I do still have the Alan Grant interview, written permission from DDC, enough interest from RG, and an increasingly large collection of scans, and so never say never.)
Quote from: Dandontdare on 26 August, 2016, 08:45:54 AM
So where does this leave Hibernia Press? If they won't be able to republish any more of this old stuff, Rebellion could do a lot worse than subcontract some of the work to them, as they've always done a fantastic job with the repro and editing .
Thanks Dan!
Rebellion have been great, and while Richard and I scratched the surface of Egmont's archive, Rebellion have the resources and enthusiasm to mine it fully.
That was my intention when I did the first 13th Floor collection, to bring attention to all this great material.
And keep your wallets at the ready, there is more coming from Hibernia!
As for the Computer Warrior, a workaround might be to rename some of the games. Time consuming, but maybe less so than trying to tie down ownership.
Bookend the reprint with new material so you can label the collection as "satire". Worked for Cursed Earth and MST3K.
Quote from: Professor Bear on 27 August, 2016, 04:38:42 PM
No Johnny Cougar?
Maybe no Cougar but definitely the Leopard!
Quote from: Dash Decent on 27 August, 2016, 11:53:10 PM
Quote from: Professor Bear on 27 August, 2016, 04:38:42 PM
No Johnny Cougar?
Maybe no Cougar but definitely the Leopard!
Also, given the way indigenous peoples are increasingly (and correctly) speaking out on how they are depicted in fiction, something of a cultural appropriation minefield.
Quote from: loki on 26 August, 2016, 01:23:31 PM
Quote from: johnfreeman on 26 August, 2016, 12:45:49 PM
[quote author = loki]1970 is the critical year, and sadly it's not quite as simple as January of that year, because Adam Eterno debuted in October 1970, but belongs to IPC.
I've truncated your post, but there still seems to be some confusion around Adam Eterno and the other characters who first appeared in Thunder. Noting that Andrew Sumner made the claim about Eterno in 2005, here's what happened later.
In 2007, I started talking to Egmont about possible digital comic reprints of some of their characters and the lists I was sent then by their legal department and in 2008 form the basis of this new article on what Rebellion now owns: http://downthetubes.net/?p=33494
At the time, aware of the "January 1970" agreement, I asked about THUNDER because of its publication date (and because I like Adam Eterno). After some toing and froing, a representative of IPC confirmed that Egmont owned THUNDER and associated characters.
So as far as far as I'm aware, unless there was a subsequent change, Eterno is owned by Rebellion.
As your information is more recent, you probably have the right of things. Besides, I want an Adam Eterno collection, and Time were clearly not rushing to put one out, so it works out better on a purely personal level if Rebellion have the rights to the character.
[/quote]
Just to confirm - I've spoken with Andrew Sumner and Rebellion's ownership of THUNDER and characters is pretty much confirmed. (My list of who owns what is updated here: http://downthetubes.net/?p=33494). Andrew tells me that from memory (and it's hazy after ten years) IPC we originally thought they owned Eterno and then realised that he first appeared in '70 not '69, so they didn't. Hence the fact that his appearance in Albion is a non-specific nameless one!
Noting the talk of ZOIDS above (published by Marvel UK) - IDW's Chris Ryall has been trying to identify and get a Zoids collection off the ground for years. As with videogames, it's a minefield.
IDWs 'zoids' to focus on talking plant pots because 'traditional Zoids don't work in the Americian market'.
8 pages of posts & nobody has pondered about the chances are of John Smith being willing to pick up all those new plot threads that he introduced in that epilogue back in 1989 now that Rebellion own the rights to New Statesmen?
Fo' shame!
Does rebellion own crisis (or revolver) now?
Quote from: The monarch on 31 August, 2016, 04:10:28 PM
Does rebellion own crisis (or revolver) now?
We don't have enough information to find out - they ought to, but Crisis was, at least in part, creator owned; Revolver ought to be part of the deal unless it's already been bought up by the Dan Dare Corp as it had Dare running in it.
We're going to have to wait for The List!
I'd love to see some Crisis or Revolver collections.
These guys deserve a knighthood
Quote from: The monarch on 31 August, 2016, 04:10:28 PM
Does rebellion own crisis (or revolver) now?
Pretty sure these were creator-owned (Rogan Gosh was later published by DC Comics)
Quote from: Silent_Bomber on 31 August, 2016, 06:32:23 PM
Quote from: The monarch on 31 August, 2016, 04:10:28 PM
Does rebellion own crisis (or revolver) now?
Pretty sure these were creator-owned (Rogan Gosh was later published by DC Comics)
They can't be
purely creator owned, otherwise Tharg wouldn't have been able to tempt Garth Ennis into writing
Helter Skelter in exchange for the publishing rights to
Troubled Souls*. Maybe DC did the same with
Rogan Gosh.
Pat Mills says he's been trying unsuccessfully for years to convince whoever held the publishing rights to
Third World War to reprint them - which obviously wouldn't have been a problem if the strip was
entirely creator owned.
* Which Green Bonce had to buy specially from Egmont.
Quote from: Frank on 31 August, 2016, 07:01:57 PM
Quote from: Silent_Bomber on 31 August, 2016, 06:32:23 PM
Quote from: The monarch on 31 August, 2016, 04:10:28 PM
Does rebellion own crisis (or revolver) now?
Pretty sure these were creator-owned (Rogan Gosh was later published by DC Comics)
They can't be purely creator owned, otherwise Tharg wouldn't have been able to tempt Garth Ennis into writing Helter Skelter in exchange for the publishing rights to Troubled Souls*. Maybe DC did the same with Rogan Gosh.
Pat Mills says he's been trying unsuccessfully for years to convince whoever held the publishing rights to Third World War to reprint them - which obviously wouldn't have been a problem if the strip was entirely creator owned.
* Which Green Bonce had to buy specially from Egmont.
That's true, I'd forgotten about hearing that about Troubled Souls.
I has a look through some of the issues I have, Revolver always seems to give the copyright to the writers and artists, but Crisis does not. I think True Faith is still currently being published by DC Comics though and that one was definitely from Crisis.
Well maybe no one whats to publish Third World War cos its a bit rubbish?
Now New Statesmen on the other hand, whoever owns that should be reprinting the crap out of that wonder. Adore it.
Another forgotten gem from Crisis is Sticky Fingers, it was quite superb and deserves to see the light of day.
Quote from: M.I.K. on 27 August, 2016, 03:43:59 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 27 August, 2016, 03:03:02 PM
PS - why did girls comics all have such unimaginative names?
Because nicking the names of military aircraft didn't seem as appropriate.
I don't know, Stuka would've been a great name for a Girls' comic.
Also, I would love an Oink hardback collection. All in all, this is fantastic news.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 31 August, 2016, 09:05:24 PM
Well maybe no one whats to publish Third World War cos its a bit rubbish?
Now New Statesmen on the other hand, whoever owns that should be reprinting the crap out of that wonder. Adore it.
Another forgotten gem from Crisis is Sticky Fingers, it was quite superb and deserves to see the light of day.
A bit harsh on TWW, the first arc is pretty good and that art, some of Carlos' finest!
Later episodes were hit and miss, John Hinklentons art was incredible.
Agree with New Statesman, didnt get on with Sticky Finger, might be worth a reread.
'Slams fists on desk' New Statesman! New Statesman! New Statesman!
Quote from: maryanddavid on 31 August, 2016, 10:10:18 PM
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 31 August, 2016, 09:05:24 PM
Well maybe no one whats to publish Third World War cos its a bit rubbish?
Now New Statesmen on the other hand, whoever owns that should be reprinting the crap out of that wonder. Adore it.
Another forgotten gem from Crisis is Sticky Fingers, it was quite superb and deserves to see the light of day.
A bit harsh on TWW, the first arc is pretty good and that art, some of Carlos' finest!
Later episodes were hit and miss, John Hinklentons art was incredible.
Agree with New Statesman, didnt get on with Sticky Finger, might be worth a reread.
Full agreement here. I liked TWW and I loved New Statesmen. I even have a couple of pages of Baikie art from it.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 31 August, 2016, 09:05:24 PMAnother forgotten gem from Crisis is Sticky Fingers, it was quite superb and deserves to see the light of day.
#
Sticky Fingers looks very dated now - it's very 90s Camden.
I reread my old Crisis recently and the characters in SF that I thought were so cool back in the day just came across as layabout twats in the ...um ... what the fuck are we in now? We're 6 years past the noughties ... the teens? (FFS there must be a better name!)
Whatever, it hasn't aged well.
Quote from: Trout on 31 August, 2016, 11:19:19 PM
I loved New Statesmen. I even have a couple of pages of Baikie art from it.
Man I am so jealous of this. My art buying has stalled of late but for a Baike New Statesman page I'd be right back at it. At the top of my wish list.
I re-read both Sticky Fingers and Third World War about 5 years ago and it'll be no surprise to anyone I whittered about it here
http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php?topic=33704.msg615104#msg615104 (http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php?topic=33704.msg615104#msg615104)
The Leopard from Lime Street. I know the name but forgot the comic so here a bit via youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPeI7GCUB9E
Now they can do that crossover I wanted that has him beating up The Wolf of Wall Street.
I loved the Leopard. Back then there were no british superheroes who were by day just ordinary boys. The kids could identify with Billy Farmer. It was the same kind of theme Stan Lee used with the original Spiderman.
Quote from: ZippoCreed on 01 September, 2016, 03:07:21 PM
I loved the Leopard. Back then there were no british superheroes who were by day just ordinary boys. The kids could identify with Billy Farmer. It was the same kind of theme Stan Lee used with the original Spiderman.
And then Grant Morrison happened, and brutally killed Billy off. :lol:
Damn, just saw this. I'd love to see some Oink! reprints. Also I'd love to revisit some of the Crisis and Revolver stuff. Loved its earnestness and its willingness to go in weird directions. I think 3WW was ahead of its time in a lot of ways. I remember it tackling corporate greed a lot and it seems the mainstream has only just noticed that's actually a thing in the last ten years or so.
Does anyone know if Doomlord will now be reprinted in whole at long bleeding last?! :)
Quote from: Michael Knight on 01 September, 2016, 07:43:04 PM
Does anyone know if Doomlord will now be reprinted in whole at long bleeding last?! :)
Quote from: M.I.K. on 26 August, 2016, 08:41:11 PM
Doomlord's owned by the Dan Dare Corporation.
Thanks for letting me know mate. Do we lobby them then? Surely this would be a seller? The excellent Hibernia Press did a grand job but there is so much Doomlord to read and enjoy. Really loved that series as a kid. :)
Quote from: Michael Knight on 01 September, 2016, 08:06:02 PM
Thanks for letting me know mate. Do we lobby them then? Surely this would be a seller? The excellent Hibernia Press did a grand job but there is so much Doomlord to read and enjoy. Really loved that series as a kid. :)
I've long called for this very thing. The only thing I'm consious of is the Hibernia book (which is bloody brilliant) hasn't sold out, when so many other have. Now I don't know if this is cos it had a larger print run (can you answer that MaryandDavid?) but doesn't bode well. Its such a shame as I'd buy the crap out of such a book. The Hibernia release just shows how fantastic this 'lost' treasure is.
Colin mate i couldn't agree more with you. I'm intrigued about the print run for this. Mary and Davids work on their titles has been superb. The only one i havny managed to get my hands on is the The thirteenth floor volume 1. Would love a reprint of this
Colin, yup, I learnt a lot on the Doomlord book it was the first collection I did, I printed far too many but it sold well.
Quote from: maryanddavid on 01 September, 2016, 10:21:15 PM
Colin, yup, I learnt a lot on the Doomlord book it was the first collection I did, I printed far too many but it sold well.
What's contained in the Doomlord book? I've still got my Eagles so am wondering which storyline/s you collected.
p.s. does anybody know who owns that story about cowboys going into the past to hunt dinosaurs (not at all based on Flesh, honest)?
That's Bloodfang (First one) by W&G and Bakie, and coincidently I gave the collected one from the Best of Eagle to my lad this eve. DDC own it.
My Doomlord is a collection of the first drawn storyline, 'The Deathlords of Nox'
Quote from: maryanddavid on 02 September, 2016, 12:23:00 AM
That's Bloodfang (First one) by W&G and Bakie, and coincidently I gave the collected one from the Best of Eagle to my lad this eve. DDC own it.
My Doomlord is a collection of the first drawn storyline, 'The Deathlords of Nox'
Ordered!
Quote from: maryanddavid on 02 September, 2016, 12:23:00 AM
That's Bloodfang (First one) by W&G and Bakie, and coincidently I gave the collected one from the Best of Eagle to my lad this eve. DDC own it.
Wow why have I never heard of this, how have I never heard of this. Having had a look into it (well reading the Wikipaedia entry!) it sounds right up my street AND with Jim Baike art. Good gosh. To eBay and Best of Eagle 6...
Thanks MaryandDavid. I too had never heard of that. :)
Today's Damage Report seems to confirm that 3rdWW and New Statesmen are included in the deal, included as they are in the 3 Lions inspired dittie there in.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 03 September, 2016, 09:55:19 AM
Today's Damage Report seems to confirm that 3rdWW and New Statesmen are included in the deal, included as they are in the 3 Lions inspired dittie there in.
Yeah, it's looking like it was actually Revolver rather than Crisis that offered the retaining creator-ownership deal.
Would be great to have collected starlord, new statesmen etc
Crisis is included in the deal.
The first series of Third World War is one of the best comic stories ever, and deserves a new release. And now that could actually happen! :P
Slightly off track here, so apologies, but it would be nice if Rebellion - and seeing as they are in the mood - could also snag The Last American.
Whilst I cherish the original comics, I've often dreamt that this would get a super-duper HB re-issue.
Was that tale creator owned, or does the original publisher - or even someone else now - own it?
I was thinking the same thing about The Last American. A classic story-absolutely loved it. I think Com.x own it but havent done much with it. I read somewhere that they released a collected edition but i cannot find it...but yeah would love to see it in the 2000ad fold.
The Last American is creator owned and was published in a collected paperback in 2004 by com.x (http://www.comxcomics.com/the-last-american) whom also published it digitally but neither are available now so maybe it's possible it could be taken to another publisher?
Quote from: Mute77 on 03 September, 2016, 07:01:10 PM
The Last American. A classic story-absolutely loved it. I think Com.x own it but havent done much with it. I read somewhere that they released a collected edition but i cannot find it...
The collected paperback was hard enough to get when it was first published and it took a while for me to track down a copy so I don't know if many were printed.
Com.x did test trailers for the digital edition -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBVl0YCe9OI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXkLKSU1gLM
Yeah i assumed it was probably a low print run. I ended up buying the individual issues then the digital version on comixology. A hc from Rebellion would be tops.. I'd not seen those trailers before.
The Last American as in the Grant/Wagner writing partnership breaking 4-issue series?
Yes.
Quote from: Lobo Baggins on 03 September, 2016, 10:06:12 AM
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 03 September, 2016, 09:55:19 AM
Today's Damage Report seems to confirm that 3rdWW and New Statesmen are included in the deal
Yeah, it's looking like it was actually Revolver rather than Crisis that offered the retaining creator-ownership deal.
p.247 of Steve MacManus's book confirms that Fleetway retained copyright on anything commissioned for
Crisis. In return for surrendering their copyright, creators were paid a flat fee plus a percentage of sales and syndication.
MacManus highlights his desire to offer creators a better deal, and describes the contract he created for
Crisis in detail. If he'd secured creator ownership for
Revolver, I'm sure he would have mentioned that as a personal triumph.
It seems reasonable to assume that
Revolver strips were included in the deal Tharg struck with IPC/Time, and that he now owns everything from
Revolver except
Dare*.
* Presumably the DC collection of Rogan Gosh was a licensed reprint
When Revolver was published the copyright read in the small print 'all stories and characters are copyright the credited artists and writers'
The character Dare is owned now by DDC and IIRC reading that Rian Hughes owns the art. Dare from Revolver is reprinted in his collection 'Yesterdays Tomorrows'
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51yPw3eULVL.jpg)
Quote from: maryanddavid on 03 September, 2016, 10:13:11 PM
When Revolver was published the copyright read in the small print 'all stories and characters are copyright the credited artists and writers'
As Silent Bomber (https://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php?topic=43628.msg927745#msg927745) reminded me
on the preceding page of this thread! Cheers, David.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 03 September, 2016, 09:55:19 AM
Today's Damage Report seems to confirm that 3rdWW and New Statesmen are included in the deal, included as they are in the 3 Lions inspired dittie there in.
Pue speculation but Stevie's calling it now: The New Statesmen collection will undoubtedly coincide with new material in the Meg. Fingers crossed for Fiona Dalton on art.
Quote from: O Lucky Stevie! on 05 September, 2016, 08:53:00 AM
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 03 September, 2016, 09:55:19 AM
Today's Damage Report seems to confirm that 3rdWW and New Statesmen are included in the deal, included as they are in the 3 Lions inspired dittie there in.
Pure speculation but Stevie's calling it now: The New Statesmen collection will undoubtedly coincide with new material in the Meg. Fingers crossed for Fiona Dalton on art.
As much as I'd be delighted to see this, John Smith doesn't seem to have much interest in revisiting stories whose time has passed. Or, at least, I asked him a couple of years ago about that dangling epilogue and promised Book 2 and he was all like: "Meh! Can't really remember. Think I'll just write something new instead."
Quote from: maryanddavid on 03 September, 2016, 10:13:11 PMDare from Revolver is reprinted in his collection 'Yesterdays Tomorrows'
With permission, I suspect. It's notable that there are distinct thank-yous to the Kingsleys in that collection, too (presumably on enabling Really & Truly to get into the book).
Quote from: The Cosh on 05 September, 2016, 09:29:06 AMAs much as I'd be delighted to see this, John Smith doesn't seem to have much interest in revisiting stories whose time has passed.
It's a pity someone can't somehow infuse him with some of what Dan Abnett's got in terms of being more prolific. Smith is the main reason I'm still reading 2000 AD — or at least didn't drop it during the dark days. His stories are, at worst, interesting, but are mostly clever, compelling and frequently unique. I would love to see Indigo Prime in the Prog for a third of the year almost by default, more Devlin, new Tyranny Rex, a continuation of Strange & Darke, and a bunch of one-shots to rub shoulders with Cradlegrave, Firekind and Leatherjack.
(And I'm well aware writers work at different speeds. I can churn stuff out when it's 'in subject' and factual, but my own writing speed when it comes to fiction is seemingly a fraction of Smith's. I'm just talking in terms of an ideal world as a fan of his work.)
So, what's first and when?
Quote from: The Cosh on 05 September, 2016, 09:29:06 AM
Quote from: O Lucky Stevie! on 05 September, 2016, 08:53:00 AM
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 03 September, 2016, 09:55:19 AM
Today's Damage Report seems to confirm that 3rdWW and New Statesmen are included in the deal, included as they are in the 3 Lions inspired dittie there in.
Pure speculation but Stevie's calling it now: The New Statesmen collection will undoubtedly coincide with new material in the Meg. Fingers crossed for Fiona Dalton on art.
As much as I'd be delighted to see this, John Smith doesn't seem to have much interest in revisiting stories whose time has passed. Or, at least, I asked him a couple of years ago about that dangling epilogue and promised Book 2 and he was all like: "Meh! Can't really remember. Think I'll just write something new instead."
I love that you corrected a typo while quoting the previous post.
Quote from: Trout on 06 September, 2016, 04:43:26 AM
I love that you corrected a typo while quoting the previous post.
:D I wish I could say it was my first time.
Quote from: The Cosh on 05 September, 2016, 09:29:06 AM
As much as I'd be delighted to see this, John Smith doesn't seem to have much interest in revisiting stories whose time has passed. Or, at least, I asked him a couple of years ago about that dangling epilogue and promised Book 2 and he was all like: "Meh! Can't really remember. Think I'll just write something new instead."
Wasn't that also his position on Indigo Prime for a while there?
Quote from: The Enigmatic Dr X on 05 September, 2016, 07:12:58 PM
So, what's first and when?
The Leopard From Lime Street is a shoe-in for the Free Comics Book Day prog.
Stevie wouldn't blink an eyelid if we saw new material in the Sci Fi Special either.
The Leopard From Lime Street is a shoe-in for the Free Comics Book Day prog.
Stevie wouldn't blink an eyelid if we saw new material in the Sci Fi Special either.
[/quote]
There might be a 'No big cats' clause in the new FCBD submission guidelines.
Quote from: Robo-K33F on 08 September, 2016, 11:50:02 AM
The Leopard From Lime Street is a shoe-in for the Free Comics Book Day prog.
Stevie wouldn't blink an eyelid if we saw new material in the Sci Fi Special either.
There might be a 'No big cats' clause in the new FCBD submission guidelines.
[/quote]
I'm sure they'll invent some reason for scuppering the 2017 2000AD FCBD!
The gits!!
If 2000AD has grown with its readership (widely vaunted as a major reason for its continuation through the decades when almost every other British comic has gone under) then Rebellion's buying up of 1970s and 80s IP must be in preparation for the second childhood / midlife crisis. I'm happy about this.
There's some talk that the exact cut-off date is actually June 1969.
If this is correct as then Rebellion might own Cat Girl too.
I was gonna say about indigo prime (same with tyranny rex too despite the main character dying lol)
My man john smith may abandon something for a decade but he will come back thats why i have not lost hope on devil
Quote from: Silent_Bomber on 08 September, 2016, 02:51:22 PM
There's some talk that the exact cut-off date is actually June 1969.
If this is correct as then Rebellion might own Cat Girl too.
But not Spellbinder!!
Dang.
As long as Rebellion publish trade paperback collections of 'Mind Wars' (Hebden/Redondo) and 'The Angry Planet' (Hebden/Belardinelli) - either separately or combined - I'll be happy. :D
I can't praise Mind Wars enough, it was fab.
Quote from: Arkwright99 on 09 September, 2016, 02:42:25 PM
As long as Rebellion publish trade paperback collections of 'Mind Wars' (Hebden/Redondo) and 'The Angry Planet' (Hebden/Belardinelli) - either separately or combined - I'll be happy. :D
I hadn't heard of the Angry Planet before, never having read Tornado. It is great to hear there is another Belardinelli classic out there - sign me up for the trade.
Quote from: Arkwright99 on 09 September, 2016, 02:42:25 PM
As long as Rebellion publish trade paperback collections of 'Mind Wars' (Hebden/Redondo) and 'The Angry Planet' (Hebden/Belardinelli) - either separately or combined - I'll be happy. :D
Hell yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even owning full collections of Starlord and Tornado I'd be up for this. Angry Planet beat Kim Stanley Robinson by several decades and Redondo's artwork on Mind Wars is sublime.
I'd be up for a full collection of starlord!
Quote from: Arkwright99 on 09 September, 2016, 02:42:25 PM
As long as Rebellion publish trade paperback collections of 'Mind Wars' (Hebden/Redondo) and 'The Angry Planet' (Hebden/Belardinelli) - either separately or combined - I'll be happy. :D
Its one that I've always been very keen to read and one I'd hope gets an airing with the new deal. Seems an obvious choice... though of course that could be just what they are
not after?
Quote from: Prodigal2 on 09 September, 2016, 01:34:04 PM
Quote from: Silent_Bomber on 08 September, 2016, 02:51:22 PM
There's some talk that the exact cut-off date is actually June 1969.
If this is correct then Rebellion might own Cat Girl too.
But not Spellbinder!!
Dang.
Yeah, that's definitely a shame. Some Spellbinder's (such as the one where they made a mess of history) are some of the best Fleetway stories that I've read form the early 1970s era. Nice, quirky, and imaginative stuff.
I think we may all be being a bit optimistic about what Rebellion will release anyway. I was thinking the other day, there are a bunch of 2000AD stories that haven't been collected yet that must be in higher demand than a lot of the stories mentioned.
Though I guess black and white collections may be so much cheaper to produce that they're more viable even if they're obscure, not sure.
Quote from: Silent_Bomber on 11 September, 2016, 01:48:57 AM
I think we may all be being a bit optimistic about what Rebellion will release anyway. I was thinking the other day, there are a bunch of 2000AD stories that haven't been collected yet that must be in higher demand than a lot of the stories mentioned.
Though I guess black and white collections may be so much cheaper to produce that they're more viable even if they're obscure, not sure.
It's difficult to predict - I guess Rebellion will have a better idea of how non-2000AD stuff will sell once Misty has been released.
Quote from: sheridan on 11 September, 2016, 05:10:13 AM
Quote from: Silent_Bomber on 11 September, 2016, 01:48:57 AM
I think we may all be being a bit optimistic about what Rebellion will release anyway. I was thinking the other day, there are a bunch of 2000AD stories that haven't been collected yet that must be in higher demand than a lot of the stories mentioned.
Though I guess black and white collections may be so much cheaper to produce that they're more viable even if they're obscure, not sure.
It's difficult to predict - I guess Rebellion will have a better idea of how non-2000AD stuff will sell once Misty has been released.
p.s. the Radio Four reference the other day bodes well...
Quote from: Silent_Bomber on 11 September, 2016, 01:48:57 AM
I think we may all be being a bit optimistic about what Rebellion will release anyway. I was thinking the other day, there are a bunch of 2000AD stories that haven't been collected yet that must be in higher demand than a lot of the stories mentioned.
Yeah one that comes immediately to mind is The Stainless Steel Rat - sorry if this has been covered already - but I guess Rebellion don't own it?
Quote from: Magnetica on 11 September, 2016, 12:05:07 PM
Quote from: Silent_Bomber on 11 September, 2016, 01:48:57 AM
I think we may all be being a bit optimistic about what Rebellion will release anyway. I was thinking the other day, there are a bunch of 2000AD stories that haven't been collected yet that must be in higher demand than a lot of the stories mentioned.
Yeah one that comes immediately to mind is The Stainless Steel Rat - sorry if this has been covered already - but I guess Rebellion don't own it?
Err. They reprinted it years ago (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stainless-Steel-Rat-Book-ebook/dp/1906735514/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473592033&sr=8-1&keywords=stainless+steel+rat+graphic+novel).
Quote from: The Cosh on 11 September, 2016, 12:08:01 PM
Quote from: Magnetica on 11 September, 2016, 12:05:07 PM
Quote from: Silent_Bomber on 11 September, 2016, 01:48:57 AM
I think we may all be being a bit optimistic about what Rebellion will release anyway. I was thinking the other day, there are a bunch of 2000AD stories that haven't been collected yet that must be in higher demand than a lot of the stories mentioned.
Yeah one that comes immediately to mind is The Stainless Steel Rat - sorry if this has been covered already - but I guess Rebellion don't own it?
Err. They reprinted it years ago (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stainless-Steel-Rat-Book-ebook/dp/1906735514/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473592033&sr=8-1&keywords=stainless+steel+rat+graphic+novel).
Yours for only £94!
I hadn't noticed before but the new "Monster" trade has the 2000AD logo at the foot of the spine. I hadn't given it any thought before but I like that. I wonder if the Misty trade has anything similar. It would be interesting to see the Leopard from Lime Street, Sweeny Toddler, etc reprints with 2000AD branding.
Quote from: Silent_Bomber on 11 September, 2016, 01:48:57 AMI think we may all be being a bit optimistic about what Rebellion will release anyway. I was thinking the other day, there are a bunch of 2000AD stories that haven't been collected yet that must be in higher demand than a lot of the stories mentioned.
Though I guess black and white collections may be so much cheaper to produce that they're more viable even if they're obscure, not sure.
I assume the whole reason Rebellion bought the archive is to re-print collected material that would appeal to a broader range of older readers
outside of the 2000AD base so there will be a certain priority on releasing it that won't interfere with their usual 2000AD schedule.
I guess a couple of other issues are likely to need considering, particularly the state of the materials for reproduction. Perhaps a nice water testing exercise might be the Meg floppies. See what the take up / ebay resale rates are as a way of gauging interest? Personally I'd much rather something along those lines than some of the tooth stuff. Mainly because its already in my collection. Maybe interspersing with the tooth reprints to cover both bases.
Just as an aside on the potential for reprints:
I would be surprised if there is anything like a significant amount of film or original art extant for much of the material Rebellion now own. Horror stories of original art being dumped in skips abound, and unless they have been very lucky and Egmont maintained a substantial physical library of art/film, they may well be looking at working from the original comics for future reprints (I haven't yet seen the Monster/Misty collections, but I suspect that was the case there).
While excellent results are possible working from copies of the comics, it will - unless Rebellion have found a way to automate the process and keep quality high - likely mean reprints are going to be a time-consuming and labour-intensive operation. Good copies will need to be found (quality of print can vary dramatically from copy to copy of a single issue depending on where it fell in the print run), pages will need scanned individually and cleaned up, damage or other repair issues may need to be addressed etc.
My personal experience - and again, Rebellion may well have found ways to better manage the process, and they have full-time staff - is that for pure B&W art with strong linework (a Heinzl or Cam Kennedy, say) you could probably process up to four or five pages a day, assuming no complications with the quality of the source and that you got a copy of the comic that was well printed. For something like Ortiz's greyscale work or the smudgy inks of a Redondo (or colour pages), you might be down to significantly less if you go for the absolute best quality possible. Work out the length of your favourite tale and see quite how long might be needed to prepare it for print...
I think it's probably worth being cautious about just how quickly Rebellion will be able to bring reprints out if they are forced to work from the original comics. Realistic expectations and all that jazz! :-)
Quote from: The Amstor Computer on 11 September, 2016, 04:18:42 PM
Just as an aside on the potential for reprints:
I would be surprised if there is anything like a significant amount of film or original art extant for much of the material Rebellion now own. Horror stories of original art being dumped in skips abound, and unless they have been very lucky and Egmont maintained a substantial physical library of art/film, they may well be looking at working from the original comics for future reprints (I haven't yet seen the Monster/Misty collections, but I suspect that was the case there).
If the experience with 2000AD IP is anything to go by then I suspect this is the case. I think Rebellion only have the
right to reprint the material - I doubt anything physical actually changed hands.
QuoteWhile excellent results are possible working from copies of the comics, it will - unless Rebellion have found a way to automate the process and keep quality high - likely mean reprints are going to be a time-consuming and labour-intensive operation. Good copies will need to be found (quality of print can vary dramatically from copy to copy of a single issue depending on where it fell in the print run), pages will need scanned individually and cleaned up, damage or other repair issues may need to be addressed etc.
Maybe that's why Katscan left - she heard rumours of what was coming and ran away in terror!
In case anybody missed it;
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/seventies-comics-and-a-revived-appetite-for-rebellion-a7366096.html
QuoteRichardson says there are likely to be reprint collections of the purchased series in 2017
I'm going to take that as "Richardson says there is definitely going to be a totally amazing collection of Thirteenth Floor."
OH YES.
(What?)
Roy of the rovers....i will buy it all....all of it
Quote from: Robo-K33F on 19 October, 2016, 02:06:39 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 11 September, 2016, 05:54:36 PM
I think Rebellion only have the right to reprint the material - I doubt anything physical actually changed hands.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/seventies-comics-and-a-revived-appetite-for-rebellion-a7366096.html
Keith's article says Rebellion's money bought them some film, the odd bit of original art, and the bound volumes of back issues kept by all IPC titles. The kind of plain, red bound volumes seen in this tour of Tharg's Osney Mead gaff (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYqZtNP5Sq4).
http://www.2000adonline.com/post/931
Quote from: Molch-R on 25 October, 2016, 03:38:26 PM
http://www.2000adonline.com/post/931
I see that Quaxxan fool Tharg has made a critical error - he's put a load of comics fans in charge of moving a load of old comics around!
It'll take MONTHS for those five pallets to get unloaded properly - the office staff'll all be perched uncomfortably up against something reading whenever his back's turned.
I have the same problem whenever I'm charged with getting the Christmas Decorations down from the loft.
Who I lobby/pay/flatter to get a Complete Durrell's Palace edition...?
Interesting note that Titan will continue to reprint some material under license. I wonder if that means (well I'm guess it will) Titan will continue to reprint Johnny Red volumes. Assuming they release them they've done a good job so happy with that.
Quote from: Lobo Baggins on 25 October, 2016, 03:58:35 PM
- the office staff'll all be perched uncomfortably up against something reading whenever his back's turned.
I have the same problem whenever I'm charged with getting the Christmas Decorations down from the loft.
Bit odd, sitting reading Christmas decorations?
Good to see the trusty droids helping out with the move, bet they opened the box marked Wizzer & Chips for a sneak peak.
Tharg the Mighty! Please pretty please get 'Doomlord' reprinted in its entirety and 'The thirteenth Floor' too! :)
Quote from: Molch-R on 25 October, 2016, 03:38:26 PM
http://www.2000adonline.com/post/931
Sixth photo down. There's a bloke in the background playing with his phone while waiting for his Dirty Frank audition.
Quote from: Michael Knight on 26 October, 2016, 01:41:22 AM
Tharg the Mighty! Please pretty please get 'Doomlord' reprinted in its entirety and 'The thirteenth Floor' too!
Sadly...
QuoteThe Rebellion acquisition does not include Dan Dare or The Eagle, as these were previously sold by Egmont in the 1990s.
There was an obituary in the Indy to Steve Dillon. That damn photo was there again but I couldn't find the obituary online but discovered this instead.http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/seventies-comics-and-a-revived-appetite-for-rebellion-a7366096.html
I'm in the process of collecting Titans Charley's War (only have the first two) but might hold off collecting the rest to see what Rebellion is going to do with the series. I also really enjoy Garth Ennis Presents: Battle Classics and hope to see those continue as well.
I'd guess, though of course I have no idea, that they'd hold off on Charley's War since its had a recent reprint series which I think is still easy enough to get hold of (?). There's so much more stuff, which while not as recognisible, nor as good as Charley (well to be far what is) I'd hope will come first (The Sarge, The Sarge, The Sarge....)
Quote from: Rogue Judge on 30 October, 2016, 06:19:05 AM
I'm in the process of collecting Titans Charley's War (only have the first two) but might hold off collecting the rest to see what Rebellion is going to do with the series
"Titan Publishing have previously published and will continue to produce some material licensed from the archive"http://www.2000adonline.com/post/727
Perhaps this purchase might be games related? Since Rebellion is a game company could it be looking at the lucrative app market for mobile phones aimed more at younger consumers than us old scrotniks ?
Glad Titan are still going to be handling the Battle titles, they're really hit their stride with them. Superb volumes.
I hope this also extends to Hibernia regarding The Thirteenth Floor and Doomlord.
For the benefit of people skim-reading this thread who may not have noticed the numerous references to Doomlord, (and anything which originally made its appearance in the Eagle comic), as belonging to the Dan Dare Corporation and not Egmont,
REBELLION DON'T OWN DOOMLORD!
Should probably clarify, I'm well aware of that, i'm just very cack handed with words. Huh.
Sorry, so Doomlord is owned by .......
?
::)
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 30 October, 2016, 06:47:53 AM
I'd guess, though of course I have no idea, that they'd hold off on Charley's War since its had a recent reprint series which I think is still easy enough to get hold of (?). There's so much more stuff, which while not as recognisible, nor as good as Charley (well to be far what is) I'd hope will come first (The Sarge, The Sarge, The Sarge....)
Really good point there, Charleys War is readily available and inexpensive right now, it probably makes more sense for them to print other titles (The Sarge) first. and to Franks point, Titan may continue to have publishi rights as well.
Quote from: Tjm86 on 30 October, 2016, 04:19:34 PM
Sorry, so Doomlord is owned by .......
?
::)
Yeah is it Rebellion? I'm not clear...
Bah, pshaw, and other such utterances.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 30 October, 2016, 05:56:38 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 30 October, 2016, 04:19:34 PM
Sorry, so Doomlord is owned by .......
?
::)
Yeah is it Rebellion? I'm not clear...
I thought it was Hibernia? This is so confusing...
Quote from: IAMTHESYSTEM on 30 October, 2016, 11:03:14 AM
Perhaps this purchase might be games related?
The queue for the Sweeny Toddler game starts here!
That Grennie scriptbot would be a shoe-in for a Doomlord/Spellbinder team-up reboot of Martin's Marvellous Mini.
Quote from: Dash Decent on 31 October, 2016, 10:52:52 AM
Quote from: IAMTHESYSTEM on 30 October, 2016, 11:03:14 AM
Perhaps this purchase might be games related?
The queue for the Sweeny Toddler game starts here!
Stevie wants a Charley's War first person shootah.
FP shootah? Sounds more like a Bill Savage game!