While Chip Zdarsky is best known for writing some of Marvel's contemporary Daredevil comics, he also has considerable experience with creating his own comics. His latest comic, Public Domain, seems to be a more personal project that pays homage to families and comic book teams throughout history. The story particularly satirizes Marvel Comics' relationship with the MCU. On Twitter, Zdarsky gave fans a look at Public Domain.
Zdarsky's Public Domain series covers ownership topics regarding a superhero named Domain. The characters live in a world where Singular Studios adapts characters from Singular Comics and create the "biggest movie in the world." Miles Dallas (who shares a stark resemblance to Zdarsky himself) is the protagonist, an entertainment reporter, and the son of comic book creator, Syd Dallas. Miles eventually gets the chance to interview the actor who plays Domain, and things don't go well. The actor refers to "the midpoint movie in Phase Five of the SCU" as "modern mythology," which upsets Miles a great deal; he believes the comic book source material is the accurate "modern mythology." As a comic book writer himself, it's clear Zdarsky is playing with real-world ideas to create an enticing fictional drama.
Many satirical comics and shows are beginning to play with the idea of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's overwhelming success. For example, Amazon Prime's The Boys directly parodies the MCU and DCEU movies. While most, if not all, superhero actors have a great deal of humility and respect for comic book creators (especially those in the MCU), sometimes both audiences and creators get caught up in arguing who deserves the most recognition. While the internet makes it somewhat easier to track who truthfully deserves ownership, the twentieth century had several comic book controversies regarding credit, such as the creative teams of Batman and Spider-Man.
Family values seem to be pivotal factors in Zdarsky's comic as well. Syd Dallas and the Dallas brothers have a close relationship in the series' first issue, but it can quickly become complicated and dramatic. In other words, this story incorporates one of the most successful tools from the Marvel Age of Comics—human problems. There's little doubt that their dynamic will change in future issues.
Chip Zdarsky is a phenomenal writer for Daredevil, Batman, Spider-Man, and other iconic superheroes. However, seeing him work on his own story is a special treat. Public Domain is free, out now, and easy to read. The end of the first issue already has Zdarsky fans, whether they stem from Marvel or DC Comics, excited for whatever happens next; audiences can bet that it will have more exciting twists.
Source: Twitter