Making comics isn’t easy, especially at a superhero level, as in Public Domain. Writer and artist Chip Zdarsky focuses on the machinations of making comics and the bluster of doing so with superheroes in the series. The melodrama has been delicious, but there’s a feast of a cliffhanger in issue #9 out this week.
Picking up where Public Domain #8 left off, Public Domain #9 revolves around the gang going to SDCE, aka San Diego Comic Expo. They’ve rushed to get a preview together to give out after their big panel, which will unveil their plans for a new kind of The Domain superhero comic. The stress is high and the creators are on alert at the start of this issue.
Zdarsky clearly has an affection for conventions, as seen through Syd’s eyes. Sure, he gets a bit burned out, but he loves the face-to-face with fans. His joy shines through even when his kids are a bit sour about everything. Carting boxes of books, prepping for panels, and the like. Zdarsky draws Syd in a way that makes you believe he’s truly at home at a convention and loves that aspect of the job.
Two things shine through very clearly in this chapter. The first is that Jerry is a total jerk, especially when in public. He acts like he is the sole creator of The Domain and treats Syd and his people as rudely as possible. You’ll grow to hate him after reading this issue.
I love how Syd is like a valiant hero in that last panel.
Credit: Image
The second is Tanya and the complicated nature of making comics with an overbearing mother. Jerry and Tanya’s stories come together beautifully at one point as Tanya has choice words for Jerry.
Jerry’s presentation also provides some commentary on the selling aspect of superhero comics. It’s big, loud, and leans on the actor who plays the superhero in a movie rather than the creators of the comics. It’s a depressing aspect that an actor who plays a character is far more interesting to fans than the people who breathed life into the characters. The presentation also ends with one of the funniest moments of the story arc so far.
Jerry’s actions send Miles into a rage, which quite honestly feels a little too much. He’s shown anger before, but you’d think he’d have some self-awareness before making a public scene.
Once you reach the cliffhanger, you’ll be dying for more. I won’t spoil it, but it involves Syd and his wife and a bombshell of a reveal. As cliffhangers go, it puts a potential wrench in Syd’s comics operation as well as throw his attitude and life even further into the dumps.
Public Domain #9 shows how dense and packed this series is with character moments. It acts as a commentary on the comics industry while masterfully developing dramas and interesting dynamics between the characters.
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