Public Domain #8 is written and illustrated by Chip Zdarksy and published by Image Comics.
Public Domain #8 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
It’s hiring day! Dallas Comics needs a team to make their comic book empire a reality, but will anyone be up to the task? And can Syd move past the shocking revelations of last issue? Chip Zdarsky (Batman, NEWBURN) continues his award-winning series about the comic industry and how goddamn hard it is working in it. Like, wow. Who would choose this life?
Review
Time for something a little different. Public Domain is a series I’ve been reading for some time but had yet to review. It offers some different programming to our usual superhero fare. Instead shining a light on the business side of the comic book industry but in such a way that it becomes blockbuster reading. It’s like Succession for comic book fans.
Writer/artist Chip Dzarsky has established a vibrant series of characters to inhabit the world of Public Domain. Syd and Jerry have become such figureheads in this world. Seeing them as the very definition of the old school and how that clashes with the new school sensibilities of their teams is fascinating. Both are simply trying to recreate the magic of their heyday. But both are also consistently reminded that their outlook is antiquated and not what a contemporary audience is looking for.
As someone who has been reading comics for 30+ years I sympathise with both sides of the argument. I can see where Syd and Jerry are coming from. But having been steeped in this community I can also see what today’s younger audience breaking in to comics wants to read. That push and pull and that need to satisfy as much of the audience as possible is baked in to the DNA of Public Domain and Zdarsky really has his finger on the pulse.
Issue #8 focusses on hiring day at Dallas Comics. Syd and his sons need a colourist and letterer to help bring their new series to life. Especially now that editor Cynthia has secured them a booth and a panel at the very prestigious San Diego Comic Expo. The interviews are where Zdarsky gets to have a little fun. There’s no doubt that some of these personalities exist within the industry. But heightening the melodrama and pushing the stereotypes allows the book to be satirical rather than offensive to anyone who may recognise themselves in these characters.
There’s a lot to mine from seeing the family dynamic at Dallas. It feels like Zdarsky has a lot to say about startup companies. The idea of this team being in the forming, storming, norming, performing cycle is interesting to watch. Especially as sons Miles and David continue to search for their place in the company and the world. New additions Stef (colouring) and Wilton (letters) add some potentially exciting new dynamics to the team which can be explored down the line as we come to the launch of the book.
Over at Singular Tower it seems like Jerry has far more pressing issues. His hotshot writer and even more hotheaded artist are desperate to make their book the hottest thing in stores by any means possible. Whilst Dallas tries to find the right story, Singular are simply looking for their next hit movie. To top it all, Jerry knows what Syd and the family is planning and takes that news to his editors. In a biting comment on big publishing houses the immediate reaction is to scoop Dallas. It’s clear there’s little to no integrity within the company. One can’t help but wonder how much of this goes on in practice. The race to be first rather than the strive to do something right.
Issue #8 wraps up with some personal development for Miles as he returns to pay his debts to former partner Janine. It’s great to get some character development in to the book. Although it seems like his gambling debts still haven’t quite resolved themselves. Beyond the situational experience of making a comic book it’s cool to see Zdarsky digging in to these character’s personal lives.
If Succession for comic books wasn’t enough to grab you. Then how about the idea that watching these guys make a comic book also looks great. Zdarsky being sole creator on Public Domain gives it another level of authenticity. As someone who generally reads superhero and science fiction comics its fascinating to see “real life” depicted in a comic book in way which makes it engaging enough to keep coming back each month.
Verdict
Public Domain continues to offer readers an alternate point of view on the comic book industry. Satirical and razor sharp, the latest chapter continues to build momentum for Chip Zdarsky’s latest venture.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
