So you've seen my video... but you still have questions! I am always working in my clarity but I do think I'm a lot better texting intent than I am speaking, so if you have doubts, I will do my best to help you with that.
What is Project 2034?
Project 2034 is my pitch to...everyone, to create a collective universe full of characters for everyone to use when Superman becomes Public Domain, there's already characters and mythos that anyone can draw from on that day.
So that when that day comes , creators don't have to necessarily produce an entire Superman cast whole cloth.
How do I participate in Project 2034?
Simply create one or more characters or element and release it as Creative Commons. You don't have to write the whole character's life and misadventures, though you're welcome to be indepth.
And then you show me your creation and in Jan 1 2022 I will make a video about all the creations people did. Send it to Drawnder@gmail.com or @ Drawnder on Tweeter.
But what if two people make the same idea?
Like ok, I did most of the characters I'd add to, and some of them may overlap with your ideas for Project 2034. That's great actually.
There aren't any dibs in Project 2034. We aren't competing to see who makes the best Black Zero knock off. In fact having a choice is kinda good in my eyes. Don't be discouraged if somebody came up with a similar idea.
Is WB gonna sue me for participating in this or for using the characters for it?
For participating on it probably not. I could probably try to make a drawing of Superman and release it under Creative Commons right here and they won't even find out.
As for using the characters from it, I can't quite guarantee it, because they can sue you for things they don't even own, as seen before. They might sue you. No promises.
To minimize this project ending in a bunch of lawsuits, I recommend the following:
-Don't make your character so close to a DC one that they can put them side by side and say it's the same characters. If you're character is just Doomsday with a bowtie or like Steel with a Mustache, then it's possible people using it could get sued. Of course, people using it also have a responsibility. If the character is too similar then...don't use that or change it just enough. Use strong judgement.
-Don't make the character's story be exactly similar to another character's Wiki entry. Make their backstory short and vague and add at least two details that are unique. The people using the character will decide to add or remove more as they see fit.
-Don't publicly allude to which character is inspiring you! This might be later used against you or whoever in court. While it's unlikely they'll chase down a 15 year old post on the Deviant Art forums just to prove it was copyright infringement, unlikely isn't impossible. ESPECIALLY DON'T DO THIS ON THE VERY POST WHERE YOU'RE RELEASING THE WORK. Be smart.
Do:
Don't:
Ok but what's in it for me? I give away a free character and then get nothing back?
No, you're not giving away the character. You can still use it for yourself, if you think the character has potential. Somebody could popularize the character...and then you, creator of the character, still have access to using it yourself. You're losing nothing.
What you get is: If the idea of working on Supeman once he becomes public domain is something you'd like, or maybe not yourself but you'd like other people to do it, then a collective pool of potential characters to draw from could help people in that not so distant future.
If this project gets off of the ground what you get is a vibrant, collective universe of Superman characters that anyone can expand upon. If that sounds like something you'd want to happen, then you can support the project, by creating for it, or just sharing it with people and letting them know about it.
What's in it for you?
Nothing that you won't also get.
See, to me characters like Superman oughta be Public Domain already, but thanks to copyright extensions in the 90's and 70's that's been put off. I consider this robbing us of works we deserve. And even if they somehow undid it tomorrow, the time can never be brought back. I will be mid 40's when these characters finally lapse.
And you know, I could just sit here and grumble about it and already have sat here and grumbled about it. But I think besides that, we can at least take a shot at doing something that will partially undo the harm these copyright extensions have done, and time is on our side.
You mentioned other characters...
Yes, Batman was created a year after Superman, and shortly after that Wonder Woman. A project like this but for those characters is something we can get going, Spider-Man,hmm...
Like for Spider-Man, you're looking at 2057. We can do it but...will you even be alive to see it?
Personally I'm down but...let's see if anyone's interested in these closer ones, first.
Or don't. If you're really gonna send it to the far future, you don't need my permission. I'm into time capsuling, myself.
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