It is not Bart Sears's fault

NEWSARAMA announces that Bart Sears, a talented fellow and nice guy has been signed to an exclusive contract to work with DC Comics. Among his work slated to appear is a WARLORD series. He might do a good job, he might deserve praise for it when it comes out.

But I think this sucks. This news means that Mike Grell, yes a friend of mine, is being hosed. Yes, I know that it was a character created during a work for hire situation of employment. Yes, I know that he is just one of many to feel this way. Another friend, Tony Isabella wrote and solely created Black Lightning for DC, and he too was hosed. Mike Grell remains able (and I suspect available) to work on more than one series in many capacities. He created the character before arriving at DC and was the one who for three or four years wrote and drew fantastic stories with the character. Every use of the character since Grell left has been a pale imitation of what had been. DC is certainly entitled to use a character they own, and to ignore the creative force behind the character. They can make the character do or say whatever they like, it is afterall THEIR continuity. But amidst the issues I have with the ignoring of the creator of the work comes something far less messy. Mike Grell knows who and what is WARLORD. DC could well have given Grell a right of first refusal out of respect, but should have not out of respect but out of hopes for a good/great comic. But from sources, I know that he was not given any shot at the title.

Are the comics we have on the market right now so great that the publishers can afford to keep motivated talents from working on their books?

I didn't think so.