Simply put, comic book companies love to create comics based on stories in the public domain. Properties such as The Wizard of Oz, Conan, Frankenstein, and Dracula have been a mainstay of the comic book industry for many years. The works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, H.P. Lovecraft, and HG Wells have been visited over and over again in comic book form. Why such an interest in these public domain works?
The Cost of a Story in the Public Domain
First off, using a story in the public domain is free. Comic book publishing companies do not need to pay out tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to the original creators of the story. They are free to use the storyline or characters at will without having to worry about a descendant or copyright owner asking for money down the road.
Free Interpretation
Public domain works are free for interpretation. If a comic book publishing company wants to have Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein, and Captain Nemo fight space monkeys, that is completely fine as there is not an owner of the properties to speak up and complain. Of course, fans can complain. That leads into the next reason why comic book publishing companies love public domain works.
Instant Fan Recognition
Stories that are in the public domain often have large followings or are familiar with readers. As a fan of H.P. Lovecraft and his work, I have found myself picking up comics simply because they are based on one of his stories. As a Sherlock Holmes fan, I find myself reading comics based on his stories to see if they creator’s interpretations are similar to my own. I might already know the story being used, but I might want to see how it is being used.
The Honor
I know some comic book creators who consider it an honor to work on comics based on the stories they grew up reading. Using stories in the public domain is a free way to get recognition from fans, and to keep some creators happy.
Time
Creating comic books which will do well in the market takes time. Months before the new issue of X-Men or Batman hits the shelves, a team of planners has figured out what will happen next. By using stories in the public domain, many of the planning steps (and chefs in the kitchen) can be eliminated. What could be better than a project which saves time, saves money, automatically will have name recognition with fans, and will keep creators happy all while allowing for freedom in interpretation? Comic book companies love public domain stories, and always will.
