Maelstrom

Well, what was intended to be a cautionary tale has become a "let's disparage Platinum Comics" free-for-all. While I still believe ardently in creators retaining their rights (look at Stan Lee's position versus, say, Jerry Siegel's... or Bob Kane's, for that matter) it was never my intention to trash Platinum.

D.J. Coffman, last year's winner, is pretty happy about all of this:

Most of what you've said about fears of licensing or losing creative control is a valid fear for a lot of creators, but it's not reality. As someone who's been working with Platinum closely, I gotta tell you I feel like if there was something I'd be totally unhappy with them doing with HBN, they probably wouldn't do it. But I think it's more of a trust issue. I trust that whatever moves they make behind closed doors that I don't know about, they've made informed decisions and they want the best for my project and vision, because it serves everyone involved as a whole.

I don't believe a creative person only has one idea. So use some of your ideas to have fun and make some money or kickstart a career at this if you can and that's what you want to do. One of the biggest mistakes of many creators I know who haven't accomplished much or they gave up... they weren't willing to take any chances at all.

Anyway, I'm more than happy right now. I suggest everyone of course, read the contracts when/if it comes to that time for you. There's no harm in being cautious, but there's no reason to be alarmist either. It's a solid deal, and they're good people to work with.

He writes in defense of publisher-retained rights :

I don't know exactly how it works, but I imagine this... you're a media company, you get a call from a big movie studio and they want PROJECT X as a movie or animation deal, they want to deal NOW. Some deals are made in 90 second phone conversations (so I've heard) -- but the publisher has to stop and say... "Oh well, we'll have to clear this with the creator because we don't own the rights to..." -- ERRRRNT! The deal is over before it began.

Personally, I would rather own my creations because I've seen what kinds of story ideas can come from media giants. Even though it doesn't always happen, it easily could. Oswald the Rabbit, Ren and Stimpy, Superman, The Odd Couple.... the list of famous rights-management losses goes on and on.  I would rather not put my stubborn old self through the wringer like that because I would likely act like Bill Watterson and age a few extra years. That said, you don't see much of my work in the mainstream (at least not yet). But D.J has a point, and he's concerned that this hubbub might scare away artists who could use a leg up:

Saying it's "not smart on the part of the artists" is just your opinion. I think it's one of the best deals I've made so far in my career, and I was hardly young and desperate. This was definitly a big hand up to a new playing field though. If you actually want to do this as a career or envision yourself making a living doing this when you're 80 (like i do) then this sort of contest is a great opportunity in your career. That's all I'll say about it.

So, bottom line: if you're comfortable with this plan, go for it. D.J. does excellent work and he feels that Platinum is a good, ethical publisher who are great to work with/for. He's really the person who is in the best position to comment on it, too.