Hi everyone

Posts : 170 Join date : 2014-10-05 Age : 43 Location : UK

Hey,

I'm CaptainWhizz (since sometime in the '90s), and I came to this forum through the PDSH wiki, which I love. I can't remember how I came to it, but it may have been after an internet article about public domain characters following the release of the first Thor film.

Anyway, to the point, I've had a lot of story ideas floating around for a while, but it boiled down to me wanting to start a big comic book type universe, but rather than have it tacked together after the fact, like the Marvel and DC universes, I wanted the aspects to be properly integrated from the beginning. Kind of like the Ultimate Universe or the DC reboot(s).

My first thought was to do an alternative Marvel universe, tweaking characters as I saw fit, leaving out stuff I didn't like, integrating the elements I did, and just to write it as a fun thing. But then I wondered- although it's incredibly unlikely- what if I wanted to publish anything? I'd get in trouble if I was using Marvel's IP.

So, these are my options as I see them:

Write an alternative Marvel universe.
Take the characters and events and put my own spin on them.

Write an alternative Marvel universe, but using some PD superheroes to fill out the Golden Age, and trying to make disguised references to the Marvel IP.
For example, have characters refer to Marvel characters by nicknames, and mention that the Scarlet Skull takes his look from a superior.

Write an alternative Marvel universe, but using some PD superheroes to fill out the Golden Age, and rename the Marvel characters.
Kind of Squadron Supreme style. I've already started charting PD characters on PDSH that have been used by Marvel, and those not used by DC. I could even have crossovers with a parallel universe made up of the DC/ Fawcett/ Charlton/ Quality heroes

Write an alternative Marvel universe, but using some PD superheroes to take the places of the Marvel heroes where possible, and creating new alternative for others.
So, for example, rather than the Shield existing alongside Captain America, the Shield would take the role of Captain America, the Scarlet Skull takes the place of the Red Skull, and so on.

Write a universe using the PD characters and my own characters.
Rather than focusing on revising the Marvel universe, just take the PD characters and come up with my own universe from scratch.

If you managed to read through all of that, thank you, and I look forward to any feedback.

Posts : 369 Join date : 2010-09-27 Age : 58

Welcome aboard, Captain! I like your last 2 ideas the best, and I think you could actually combine the 2: Build your own universe with PD characters, but model it on the parts of the Marvel Universe that you like the most. That way you don't have to be a slave to following the dictates of the MU. Like, if you use the Shield as Captain America, you might decide NOT to bring him to modern times. Or DON'T have him hook up with Airman as a Falcon analog. Basically, instead of focusing on the Marvel CHARACTERS, focus on the archetypes (that you like) and pick PD characters that you like and that can fill the rolls, and then run with it.

Posts : 11 Join date : 2014-05-18 Location : Maine (USA)

Hi, Captain! I agree with GoldenBard on this one. (Then again, we are biased. The last two options are well within the spirit of the Free Universe as I understand it. A forum dedicated to current-Marvel fandom might advise you differently.) I suspect if you went with the Disguised References idea, it would wind up being more irritation than it was worth, constantly not naming people that your characters would probably see as well-known public figures. …None of this is to say you could not do the planning of your universe’s history using Marvel characters, if that’s easier, and then translate it into PD and original characters later; but you may find that having the Shield and knowing the Shield is the counterpart to Captain America gives that much more material to work with and be inspired by.
Also, to quote advice I found useful from CodeandReload (a more experienced member of this forum) from another thread:
“In general this thread: https://universe.forumakers.com/t115-public-domain-recreations might be of use to you. “

Posts : 170 Join date : 2014-10-05 Age : 43 Location : UK

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback, and so quickly too! Very Happy

Based on what you've said, I've decided to go with the last option, the one that gives most freedom. Rather than try to reinvent Marvel characters that have so much baggage attached to them, I'm going to use Free Universe characters and my own creations; some of those elements may run close to characters and stories we all know and love, but as long as the characters and stories make you want to read about them, that's the most important thing, right?

Plus, this way I don't have to debate using Ted Kord in an unofficial Marvel universe; in my universe, he's in! Very Happy

That thread about PD approximates for famous characters looks incredibly useful, thanks guys!

Should I continue discussion of the (working title) WhizzVerse in this thread, or another section of the forum?

Posts : 369 Join date : 2010-09-27 Age : 58

captainwhizz wrote:: That thread about PD approximates for famous characters looks incredibly useful, thanks guys!

Geez, I STARTED that thread, and didn't think to direct you to it. Good thing Mal is here to pick up my slack... ;-)

captainwhizz wrote:: Should I continue discussion of the (working title) WhizzVerse in this thread, or another section of the forum?

Totally up to you, but most of this thread is introductions, so if it was me, I'd move it to a thread in the "new projects" section. It would probably make it easier for people to find.