Okay, thoughts about this DCU assimilation of Milestone

[GL2k2]

My thoughts are simple, I don't like it. I think that they want Static and they're using this as a way to make get the series re-uped for more money on an animated property, something that should have happened a long time ago. I don't think Dwayne should even negotiate, there are benefits and downfalls. I think if they give him a deal in the vein of what Jim Lee's Wildstorm has it's fine, but they want the characters for the DCU like the old Charleston/Bullseye characters. Nope, I can't agree with this. Self publish the universe, Dwayne, and this may sound really worse than I mean it to, but it seems they want you to simply sell out.

They already ruined one character for me, and its cool for the kids to have a black comic book character, but these kids don't even know he is a real comic book character. They think he's made up for the cartoon. Please don't let that happen to Icon and Rocket and the rest of the Milestone Universe. I have spoken.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

On the plus side, this might mean some of the characters in Milestone get another shot at comic-book life and possibly TV shows of their own. It also means more black heroes in the comic books, which is not a bad thing, and it means more work and more exposure for Dwayne McDuffie and all the other folks who made Milestone, which is definitely a Good Thing.

On the minus side, it's a sucker bet that, say, Icon will ever get the same exposure or promotion that someone like Superman does, or that DC won't just cherry pick based on their own biases and just sit on the parts of the universe they don't like. And more work for the Milestone creators doesn't do them much long-term good if they lose the rights to their own creations and end up back in the work-for-hire business that ensured that people like Siegel & Shuster, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko didn't see a dime from the success of their creations.

So, I'm on the fence but leaning towards saying DC can take their offer and stuff it. I'd love to see more Milestone TPBs, having missed out on most of the original comics, and I'd love to see new stuff, but I'd rather see it done right rather than getting turned into Just Another Corporate Product.

-- Ed/Ace

[GL2k2]

Howdy,

On the plus side, this might mean some of the characters in Milestone get another shot at comic-book life and possibly TV shows of their own. It also means more black heroes in the comic books, which is not a bad thing, and it means more work and more exposure for Dwayne McDuffie and all the other folks who made Milestone, which is definitely a Good Thing.

On the minus side, it's a sucker bet that, say, Icon will ever get the same exposure or promotion that someone like Superman does, or that DC won't just cherry pick based on their own biases and just sit on the parts of the universe they don't like. And more work for the Milestone creators doesn't do them much long-term good if they lose the rights to their own creations and end up back in the work-for-hire business that ensured that people like Siegel & Shuster, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko didn't see a dime from the success of their creations.

So, I'm on the fence but leaning towards saying DC can take their offer and stuff it. I'd love to see more Milestone TPBs, having missed out on most of the original comics, and I'd love to see new stuff, but I'd rather see it done right rather than getting turned into Just Another Corporate Product.

-- Ed/Ace

I don't see the plus side, I think DC will use Static only and use the other characters as back-up characters in the "Static Universe'. I see your point about exposure, but I doubt that will happen, they haven't been making Static Shock happy meals, why would they do that with other characters that are not even as friendly as Static. If Hollywood wanted to make a movie of these guys they would have done so already, just because Milestone gets assimilated by DC doesn't necessarily mean they will start seeing more exposure. Heck, they may even change characters personalities and so on. I just don't like the idea.

[Joe Wagner]

Depending upon the way that the negotiations for these properties would be handled I could see this being beneficial for both the Milestone Universe and the DCU. First and foremost, if Dwayne is actually considering the proposal then their has to be something good on the table - he's proven time and time again just how much affection he has for all of his characters and he would not sell them off for a quick buck. Secondly, if a deal is created where the Milestone team would still hold creator rights and be paid for their creations then I could see the deal working. Not only would characters like Icon and Hardware finally get a chance to shine but some of the team-ups with the DC characters would be great - say a redux of Superman/Icon.

Personally I can find pluses and minuses to both situations and I would not try and pressure Dwayne into either decision - primarily because I know whatever he decides will be the right decision for himself and the entire Milestone Universe.

-Joe!