More Than Mickey: Hidden Gems In The Public Domain

[@austinmcconnell]

YOU can help us make CAT-MAN: bit.ly/CatManKICK

[@Robotbotters]

i cant.....

[@alex.g7317]

@@RobotbottersI’m too poor, I promised myself after I bought the £2,000 PC I’d donate, but now im -£2,000 in debt.

[@Robotbotters]

@@alex.g7317nice lol

[@brendofire2084]

I hope that you don't stop the project even if you don't get the required budget

[@RiseOfTheKumquat67]

I'm absolutely in, it's just going to be a little closer to the deadline. Gotta wait for my next paycheck to clear.

[@Mat0s-316]

The Red Bee pulling out a glock whenever his very niche superpower doesn't cut it is the best bit of writing in any superhero media.

[@PhotonBeast]

In that sense, it's like the joke in Indiana Jones where he pulls out a gun to fight a swordfighter.

[@douglaswolfen7820]

​@@PhotonBeastclassic moment in movie history right there "Movies are so dumb! Why doesn't he just shoot the guy with a… huh. Never mind"

[@marrow94]

You don't need guns if you have a Michael.

[@douglaswolfen7820]

@@marrow94 everyone should have a Micheal

[@ordinarryalien]

@@douglaswolfen7820 "A much more elaborate fight scene was planned, but Ford developed dysentery while filming in Morocco, and devised a much easier way for Indy to get out of the scrape. The scene was intended to play out much more like a duel, with the swordsman facing down Indy's bullwhip, but Ford's symptoms were so debilitating, and he was in so much discomfort that he came up with the alternative scene. There were other factors that contributed to changing it. Producer Frank Marshall revealed that the shoot was already taking too long and production was going over budget, so filming the elaborate fight scene as planned would have just caused other setbacks. “We had been shooting in Tunisia in 130 degrees for six weeks and we had three days left,” Marshall said. “We were supposed to shoot this huge fight between the whip and the sword. It took the whole morning to shoot just three storyboards.”

[@balrogdahomie]

I saw a Japanese artist I follow make fanart of Mickey and Oswald the rabbit, saying they wanted to see a show of them going on adventures together. When someone told them “hey, they’re public domain now, get enough people together and we could do that and publish it on our own”, the artist replied, “But I don’t want to make a horror parody, I want it to be whimsical” There’s so much schlock that now some people don’t realize that you can make public domain stuff that isn’t just generic “what if (beloved character) was MESSED UP AND EVIL”. It took a few replies for them to understand that, Public Domain means you can publish and profit off anything that doesn’t infringe on the copyright; it doesn’t just have to be the wild, nonsensical stuff.

[@yosefdemby8792]

So is he going to go through with your idea?

[@yosefdemby8792]

@@jeweljackal6425 I feel like if The Walt Disney Company didn't lobby Congress to extend copyrights by decades, people wouldn't be so vindictive and make such horrid creations.

[@Deliveredmean42]

Remember, it wasnt JUST Dusney that did that. So shouldnt be the only big corporations you need to look out for that made this scummy extension. Altho of course Disney is an easy target to get the point across.​@@yosefdemby8792

[@yosefdemby8792]

@@jeweljackal6425 Besides, it hasn't even been ten days yet. Quality content takes time. I'm sure high-quality Mickey Mouse public domain works will come in the long run.

[@yosefdemby8792]

@@jeweljackal6425 Yeah. In time the high-quality public projects with him will help ameliorate the public domain's tainted reputation.

[@BartitsuSociety]

Fun fact: whereas Spring Heeled Jack started as an urban myth and developed into a penny dreadful villain, late-Victorian writers transformed the character into a proto-superhero, complete with altruistic mission, hidden lair (a crypt in a neglected London graveyard), tech-based powers (his spring boots were designed by an Indian mechanical genius) and even a dashing catch-phrase ("The day is yours - leave the night to me!"). This was decades before Zorro and it can be argued that SHJ set many of the masked avenger tropes later followed by Batman et al. The 2020 novel "The Life and Fantastical 'Crimes' of Spring Heeled Jack" ran with that theme, being presented as SHJ's own memoir of his days as a rooftop-leaping vigilante.

[@sdsdfdu4437]

That's a baller catchphrase, I wanna do something with this character

[@BartitsuSociety]

@@sdsdfdu4437 The "Life and Fantastical Crimes" novel has a lot of fun coming up with semi-plausible explanations for the late-Victorian weirdness of the Spring Heeled Jack legend. The protagonist is well aware of his growing status as a urban legend and is sometimes able to use it to his own advantage.

[@kaijuguy19]

Interesting info! In a way it's funny that a feared creature of the night ended up becoming one of the earliest form of a modern day costumed hero.

[@AgentMoray]

Cool character. He needs lo live again.

[@abijo5052]

There's also the fantastic novel by Philip Pullman taking a similar approach

[@RiseOfTheKumquat67]

Austin specifically had to mention the Australian Cat-Man so that his subscribers could flesh out all his variants in preparation for 2034's Cat-Man Into The Catverse

[@CSLucasEpic]

Nah, not multiverse. Better to have them as a big international organization like Batman Inc. ... Catman Inc.! We can have Cat-man, Australian Cat-man, Tiger Man (Another public domain hero) and Lion Man (Yet another public domain hero) in a giant feline themed superhero international organization!

[@thesausageman5388]

@@CSLucasEpicis Armless Tiger Man in the public domain yet?

[@man.actual]

How is this comment 9 hours older than the rest of the video

[@Gingersdad]

​@@man.actual im pretty sure he is a member so he got the video early

[@sev1120]

​@@thesausageman5388i don't know but Marvel made him, so I wouldn't risk it

[@shinyagumon7015]

I really love your attitude towards the public domain Austin, seeing it as a creative springboard for your own ideas instead of just a way to leech off an already popular ip.

[@Zombie_Trooper]

It's specifically Steamboat Willy that's public now. That's a very important factor that can prevent serious litigation.

[@A.Z.296]

7:36 A hero with bee themed powers? Sounds like a job for.... *DOCTOR BEES!!!*

[@marktheshark7588]

I always find that the public domain is like a treasure chest full of opportunities for anyone to use whatever character and make it your own.

[@comicfan1324]

I love the acknowledgment given to the Red Bee Honestly, I think that, if given to the right writer, there’s a lot that could be done with the character

[@Stinkoman87]

He isn't too off from Ant-Man, and bees feel more intimidating than ants o a visceral level. A superhero whose power is controlling bees could totally work.

[@mateushenriquepinheiro3197]

Marvel has a super villain who is literally a Nazi made out of bees! The Red Bee could totally work in a new context or scenario

[@saksagan1436]

Red Bee would be an awesome video game protagonist

[@RiseOfTheKumquat67]

Oh THAT'S what Ant-Man's been missing all this time *a gun*

[@shytendeakatamanoir9740]

For his "Bee" Special, he uses a gun.

[@marktheshark7588]

Knowing Disney/Marvel PG Universe.That gun would be a watergun😂

[@BigK13372]

Oh no he has one of those. It can grow and shrink things to his leisure (see Avengers Earth’s Mightiest Heroes)

[@EverythingNerdySNES]

​@@marktheshark7588I'm sorry have you seen a marvel movie? They're not R, but they're definitely pg-13, and there a guns.

[@iSmartMan1]

Austin: "He's a superhero. Who uses bees." Me: Doctor BEEEEEEEEEES!!!

[@dragon1130]

Why am I surprised that the guy whose making a Public Domain Super Hero franchise is promoting the Public Domain. I really shouldn't be at this point. Regardless, I'm glad this is being made for the simple fact that we have so much enterthe public domain for the first time in like 90 years, well more than the old version of an evil franchises mascot.

[@briannakadlecik4304]

These videos have make me appreciate the creative potential of the public domain.

[@marktheshark7588]

Same here.I'm glad that the public domain is finally getting some love.

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

Imagine if patent protections lasted as long as copyright protections. Innovation will be completely stifled.

[@silent9077]

Imagine if copyright protections only lasted as long as patent protections (20 years). That would be cool.

[@Lechgang]

Now that I think about it, it'd be pretty useful if there was an easily accessible database for every character in the public domain. I've found wikis that do this but I find them pretty tricky to navigate.

[@LiMe251]

Well the public domain superheroes wiki isn't immediately 100% easy but otherwise it's quite usable.

[@Game_Hero]

And still, they tend to be quite anglo-centric, when the public domain is worlwide, with so many good obscure characters waiting to get a new life.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

There are a couple of Japanese public domain characters, such as the ones from the book that got adapted into Atragon and Super Atragon.

[@tiffany-chan1235]

​@@SlapstickGenius23There is Golden Bat

[@SlapstickGenius23]

@@tiffany-chan1235 yes, but he’s public domain only in India, Japan and South Africa. He’ll soon be public domain in Australia in 2032.

[@the135joker3]

SpringHeeled Jack was used in an episode of the detective show Luther. Definitely a character worth exploring

[@marktheshark7588]

What season and which episode?

[@the135joker3]

@@marktheshark7588 S2E1 it’s a good watch

[@joshuacrompton6974]

Public domain the pond of lost ideas to be hunted by the curious minds willing to mould them into fully fledged characters and stories.

[@marktheshark7588]

Imo,I think alot of people does be sleeping on public domain characters.

[@FireFox64000000]

Austin I would like to thank you for introducing me to the public domain. Thanks to you I have discovered such gems as Captain Battle, Red Rube and Captain Murder. And for some reason with Captain murder I am inspired to make a deep and compelling character drama.

[@marktheshark7588]

I wish you best of luck.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

I’m dreaming a process to base a pantomime on a German backfischroman! It’s going to be interesting.

[@MJTRadio]

I wonder if it’s too late to capitalize on my idea of a mad scientist fishing Jay Gatzby’s body out of his swimming pool and reviving him as a steampunk cyborg. Was going to call it, “The Even Greater Gatzby: An Official Sequel”

[@ebasongaming]

Honestly, Mickey entering the public domain is amazing. Could be even good for Disney! I've already seen some creative animations and uses of him, and he's starting to grow on me lol The rubber-hose era Mickey has a particular type of whimsy that I don't see much in modern characters, so more of that could be pretty fun :)

[@SabinStargem]

You might want to check out the Death Battle video of Saitama VS Popeye. It is one of their best videos, because Popeye is authentic to the style and feel of his era.

[@ebasongaming]

@@SabinStargem Sounds fun! Def will check it out later :)

[@ShinoSarna]

I just realized - Solomon Kane, pulp character created by Robert E Howard (creator of Conan) entered public domain this year. His first appearance was in 1928.

[@YourQueerGreatAuntie]

I've just finished listening to the audiobook of The Spider Queen. I REALLY enjoyed it! Excellent, compelling story, very believable characters - a really sophisticated take on the Golden Age heroes. Thank you Austin!

[@alex.g7317]

I’m not sure I like the wording of “be a producer”. I like “be a funder” more because it’s more accurate. Usually when you make something, the producer is above it all and gets a say in what happens.

[@halfdraco7765]

I believe the 1925 film adaptation of The Lost World is in the public domain as well, which means any elements added in that version are also free to use! Honestly I've always been a fan of this book and it's many iterations and was surprised that it wasn't as well known as I thought. I guess I was so autistic about dinosaurs as a child I forgot other people weren't 😆.

[@ninjaconsultantsixshot]

A perfect public domain superhero that has potential for horror would be Stardust the Super Wizard. Truly one of the strangest comic heroes from the Golden Age.

[@BATCHARRO]

You didn't mention the most important fact of Red Bee...he dies. They stuck him in a walk in freezer, he couldn't get out and his bees died. Personally when I do a thing I'm gonna open from the fact that he did die and then they brought him back...wrong. And he's like Hell Bee or whatever.

[@Metal_Maxine]

It's the Red Bee! I've loved him ever since I discovered him. The era when anything could be a gimmick and superheroes all loved cool yet obvious cars.

[@knuckles9250]

I can’t believe that 2 hours after new years of there’s already a horror game and Green Day used him in a music video

[@tomrogue13]

I laughed when I saw Mickey in Green Days video

[@brentonhancock]

8:26 - "Hi My name is Michael with a B... I've been afraid of insects my whole life" "Stop, stop... Where's the B?" "There's a BEE!?"

[@Lumiria]

The moment those cash grabs came out, I rolled my eyes so hard I looked like Mickey for a second.

[@schaffs2]

Spring-Heeled Jack feels like a great fit for a horror movie, I’d be suprised if a movie isn’t made about the story in the future

[@dreamwalking]

I *_love_* the Professor Challenger stories. I highly recommend checking out the short stories, such as _The Poison Belt._ Sir Arthur Conan Doyle also loved Challenger, and would cosplay as his him at parties. He hated Holmes for completely eclipsing his favorite OC, eventually killing him off before bringing him back due to public demand. (And I do mean demand. One lady wrote to him "You brute!" after _The Death of Sherlock Holmes_ was published, and many individuals purportedly wore black mourning bands to work.) I find the Professor Challenger stories and characters at least if not more enjoyable than the Sherlock Holmes stories, I highly recommend giving them a read.

[@Isaacisaperson4677]

The difference between Winnie the Pooh and Steamboat Willie is that Steamboat Willie can actually work in horror. That short is terrifying, but people just see they can use Mickey Mouse and just do a generic horror movie with someone in Mickey's costume, not actually turning Steamboat Willie into the true horror that it is.

[@BigK13372]

I mean Winnie the Pooh can work as a horror story if you take the characters and utilize a plot akin to Full Moon’s Puppet Master series.

[@Isaacisaperson4677]

@@BigK13372 Sure but not as much as something like Steamboat Willie

[@TitularHeroine]

There was an issue of Justice League in which Plastic Man described the Red Bee as "...a hero I used to share Prozac with in the lean years."

[@EnigmaticGentleman]

Fun fact, one of the characters in the Wizard of Oz sequels was transgender. These were childrens books in the 1930s, quite frankly the author would still be ahead of his time today.

[@yukko_parra]

I genuinely find it crazy that not many people understand what public domain is, and how to use it effectively. But alas, now everyone is talking about this, lets see what crazy wonders we get.

[@knightwing5169]

The day Austin talks about Octobriana and Jenny Everywhere can't come soon enough.

[@MrTophatter]

i want somebody to make a 3 season cartoon based on the first 3 books in the oz series

[@burner555]

Nah, 26 seasons adapting all 26 books

[@andrerenault]

For what it’s worth, The Lost World is only the first in a series of 3 or 4 “Professor Challenger” stories.

[@Kirkklan]

That's a thing that always gets me [about Oz]. You got all these books in the public domain at this point, but there's only been about like... 3~5 adaptations. (One of them being an original origin story.) Like... no-one has up and decided "Hey, let's do some serious adapting of some of the more obscure stuff that doesn't involve the Red Ruby Slippers" (since the RRS are owned by MGM and you need to talk about that like Disney did for "Return to Oz")

[@rdbury507]

I think the issue is that MGM still owns rights to the movie, and unless you can swear that your work was based on the books alone and not influenced by the movie (which you've probably seen) your adaptation is going to be problematic. Everything from the music to the costumes worn by the flying monkeys is copyrighted. Then there's the issue that being in the right won't save you from legal costs if MGM decides to take you to court. MGM probably has more money to spend on lawyers than you do so that's going to be a problem. The "Ownership Rights" section of Wikipedia's article on King Kong is an indication of how complex and nuanced these issues are in reality. It's so much easier to just make up your own fantasy world imitating Oz than to make your own adaptation.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

@@rdbury507 Turner acquired the Wizards of Oz movie from MGM. In turn it got acquired by WB.

[@rdbury507]

@@SlapstickGenius23 Sorry, I should have figured it would have changed hands by now. The point remains though.

[@Ness_and_Sonic]

I guess Butch Hartman did some research for Fairly Odd Parents when looking for a public domain version of Batman.

[@LardGang]

“His name is Michael with a B? Where’s the B?” “No no, he IS a bee.”

[@thespectacularspider-kevin8703]

The Red Bee movie when!!!! He's not the hero we need but the hero we deserve.

[@onbearfeet]

Every time I see the Red Bee, I think of the DC conic where he ran across the original Mr. Terrific and remarked that if Terrific could have "Fair Play plastered across his gut," he should consider writing "Buzz Buzz across my butt". Please, whoever picks up the Red Bee, give him a "Buzz Buzz" tramp stamp that only you and I will understand.

[@cel2460]

I feel like the red bee is used in Naruto (Shino Aburame and the clan in general), but much more expanded and logical. Neat that ideas can converge like that across time

[@kaijuguy19]

I'm still surprised that no one thought about doing a TV series focusing on the stories that followed after the original story. I mean we're in an age where binge watching shows on streaming is the norm so having a series dedicated on telling the entire history of Oz should be a no brainer at this point. Also the one story I feel should be used more often in the public domain would be The Island of Dr Moreau. There's a lot in that story that would perfect horror material to make new stories out of especially we're in a time where genetic experiments are more relevant then ever. On the subject of horror I wouldn't worry too much about characters like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh being affected by it. Not only we will still get the more wholesome takes on them in the future but also horror takes on them that doesn't take the lazy way out and be more creative about it. Like the American McGee Alice games as a good example of horror in children icons being done well and respectifulyl.

[@hmrr9367]

It might be worth noting that the later Oz books (*I've only read 13 of them) get weird. Like really bizarre. Could be good or bad, but might make adaptations harder.

[@selkie76]

In spite of being aware of "The Lost World", the first Professor Challenger story I read was his appearance in the Iris Wildthyme anthology, "Miss Wildthyme & Friends Investigate". Her authors are quite happy to indulge in crossover adventures with all manner of public domain characters. ^_~

[@thesmilyguyguy9799]

(:) D

[@SwiWasTaken]

Thanks for the video! There's a lot of potential for using pre-existing ideas as a starting point for creative work (as a way to overcome writer's block for me), but the public domain is intimidating just from it sheer scale and the intuitive understanding that most of it won't be creatively stimulating to work from. Awesome concepts!

[@jakescartoons6045]

I was kinda hoping you would mention Arsène Lupin.

[@weaver7811]

Idea for movie: Reverse Catman. A horror story about a group of minor thieves that find themselves getting hunted down in the city by a psychotically murderous superhero, complete with themed gadgets for extra creative and gory kills.

[@LeifMaelstrom]

Thank you for this. I have been wanting to make a few little projects to help people understand all the things you can do with public domain. I think it's been so long since the general creative public has had access and interest in older works that we have forgotten how to do it!

[@goodlookingcorpse]

Most of the John Carter of Mars or Barsoom series is in the public domain. It's a very detailed and interesting science-fantasy setting. Actually Edgar Rice Burroughs had a lot of interesting fictional settings, including his own 'lost world'.

[@ajerqureshi6411]

Probably the only challenge with adapting anything Edgar Rice Burrough’s (including Tarzan and John Carter) is that while these stories are in the public domain, the estate still has a tight hold on the trademarks for Tarzan and John Carter. This means that unless you negotiate or pay a royalty to the estate, you’ll have to make sure your adaptations of Tarzan or John Carter avoid using their actual names. (Or something along that line)

[@HypercomboProduction]

There is also the Fighting Yank as well.

[@500werewolf]

The Red Bee's special last resort is a gun. Why is that the weirdest thing about a Bee superhero? XD

[@moondoor9031]

5:36 This one is very rough search that I've been doing in quite a long time. The Arthur C. Doyle state claims they own the character and anyone who wants to write stories about him needs their permission. I found about a college project who needed their approval and an Amazon book of professor Challenger that in order to be written the writter had to ask the permission of the state. So the state claims that they had the copyright of the 2 books of the professor that came later and because of this nobody can write stories about him without permission, it's pretty much the case of Zorro and Tarzan trademark owners. Nobody wants to get sued so everyone avoid these. It's a shame because I really want to write about this story, I love dinossaur theme and this fits perfectly.

[@bananatassium7009]

some of these are really wild, very cool list honestly I didn't expect an army of trained bees fighting corrupt politicians but I can't complain

[@BlUsKrEEm]

I love the Red Bee! Whoever created him used a pen name, and there's legitimate arguments that he was purposely queer coded, with him being in love with the DA, who doesn't share those feelings. It's a bit of a stretch to read them this.way, but not as much as you would think if you know your history of coding aperently. He does not fly, he does not really have any powers besides some gadgets here and there and athleticism, but he does have Michael the bee, who might actually be the one with powers since not only can the bee understand english, but he seems to be able to controller other bees, is pretty much invulnerable, and seems to be able to cast fear on villians. Thr reduces villiams tend to be mobsters and racketeering, but there are a few stand out ones, including a group of milk counterfeiters that lead to infant deaths due to malnutrition. I have no real artistic talent myself, but I'm begging those who do, Please use the Red Bee! He's the first character I ever cosplayed as and he's still my favorite.

[@KB-zq9ny]

Public Domain is a very good thing. I wish copyright restrictions would be lifted even further so that more properties would enter.

[@JamesLawner]

Red Bee is pretty much Green Hornet meets Ant-Man (or Wasp, depending on your mood)

[@kentslocum]

I'm glad that Austin is taking the initiative to create his own engaging stories; Hollywood doesn't care about telling good stories anymore. 😢

[@jonmichaelgalindo]

"I have a trained bee!" "...I don't think--" "And a gun!" "Oh, okay."

[@andrewmathewson341]

Another newly public domain character: Orlando, the genderfluid immortal creation of Virginia Woolfe!

[@Mario_Angel_Medina]

There's only one way to make a good Mickey Mause horror movie and is to adapt that creepypasta about the cancelled theme park left abandoned in Florida

[@burner555]

But then it will overlap with the Disney's ownership...

[@Mario_Angel_Medina]

@@burner555 ok, the creepypasta can't be adapted 100% faithfully... but with some clever changes it can work

[@mathieuleader8601]

I think its really awesome that Tarzan and King Kong can legally crossover now

[@TheOneTrueKyyng]

I remember the episode of Jackie Chan Adventures that had Spring-Heeled Jack.

[@spoopyweeb326]

An abandoned by Disney movie would be great

[@samnelson7428]

Hey Austin! Reminding you of this thing some comapanies do these so-called "crowdsourced screenings" like with Tugg and other platforms. Any of your fans, or yourself, can "promote" a screening at their local theater, if it sells enough tickets it will show. While a KZbin audience might not go too far for a lot of types of advertisement, when you're advertising for something that specifically requires superfans (eg; people who, while they don't have to pay money, care enough to set up a showing), then in that specific case I feel like it can be better. So advertising to your fans, "go see this at your theater, were playing nationwide", probably wouldn't be nearly as effective as getting the most passionate fans to get people outside of your audience to come see it. I'm not aware if a promoter does any work, or if they just set it up in the app. They probably would make some facebook group, tell people, etc, but I also don't know if it costs money, it might just be a win-win.

[@austinmcconnell]

Thanks! I’ll look into it.

[@Ari.Atland]

Lord John Ruckston seems like such an Indianna Jones kinda guy, I'd pay for a movie lol

[@lordrefaiv]

Literally listened to the Spring Heeled Jack episode of LORE last month through sheer coincidence. Looking forward to the SHJ Cinematic Universe. 🤣

[@iamb0nk3rs]

Now that i think about it wizard of oz would make a pretty good horror thing, paranormal animations of humanized lions and scarecrows and tin, cutting open travelers for their body parts and stealing souls for their courage while traveling with a little girl that they kidnapped

[@mr.bennett108]

I sorta love the idea of the Wizard of Oz being told as a Narnia meets Doctor Who time traveling swords and spells epic that's Game of Thrones grimdark meets She-Ra hope-punk. The twister throws Dorothy back to the fictional civilization of Oz in pre-Renaissance Europe. "Scarecrow" is a derogatory term for a deserter from the army and this one has been on a self-destructive path, too arrogant to give up, too heartless to try and make amends with the family he abandoned. The Tin Man is a legendary woodsman in full plate. He's just an average villager, but he has deluded himself into thinking he is the son of a disgraced knight that is training for some big battle where he can restore the honor of his family, despite being nothing more than the son a small town blacksmith. He was tasked with delivering the plate to a customer who pre-paid. When he finds him dead, he absconds into the woods with it. The lion is a former Circus animal that escaped, but is too afraid to hunt or fight, and is nearly starving as it hides and scavenges. Dorothy must go to Oz's Royal wizard to see if he can send her home, and help her companions along the wayto heal and start new lives, at the castle where he is.

[@JJWolford]

I always thought that Spring- Heeled Jack was a representation of Jack the Ripper.

[@carlcarlson1225]

I'd love to see a romcom with Mickey and Danny DeVito

[@swschilke]

Couldn't DC now claim a copyright on (their) Red Bee?!?

[@goodlookingcorpse]

Apart from anything else, Oz would be a much better basis for a horror film than Mickey Mouse.

[@wakawakatakeover]

lol when I was watching this, you started describing the Red Bee, and my brain was scratching itself trying to think of why any of that sounded familiar... And then you actually showed him from the DC universe and I immediately remembered! Hey! I saw that guy in the pages of Peacemaker Tries Hard that I've seen posted around online! I had no idea that he was public domain or THAT silly! Glad to see it! :D Also because I'm here I need to say it. Bees. My God.

[@iansahleen1173]

I’d like to point out that all of lovecraft’s works are public domain

[@Cyfrik]

With a disclaimer that, as far as I've heard, his estate still tries to take potshots at whoever they can, even though they shouldn't be able to at this point.

[@zaricreativity1]

I *really* want to do something with The Red Bee now XD

[@alishegamer8490]

Growing old is bad because you are no longer young - boring we've been there before Growing old is cool because you'll eventually get things in the public domain - a new take that i enjoy

[@GleeChan]

It'd be really nice if some animators took Mickey and made a true rubber hose animated short much like Cuphead did. Not making fun of the source but celebrating it. I'd do it, but I'm to busy complaining about stuff on the internet.

[@comicfan1324]

Honestly, no offense to horror, but when it comes to steamboat Willie being in the public domain I feel like there are so many better things you can do with the titular mouse. First off, I think I would rename the character just to cement the idea that this is a different take on the character than Mickey, but still have the name be similar enough: Maybe I would just call him “Michael” or “Willie”? And play off of his goofy, fun, loving personality from the short, I would have him be a character who just wants to have the best time possible and spread positivity around him, something people desperately need since they are living in the middle of the Great Depression. Although his seemingly boundless positivity does help people, just as often it can get him into trouble, which is where his girlfriend “Millie” comes to play, as I would reimagine her similar to how she’s portrayed in “Plane Crazy” and have her be a no nonsense, kind of person to balance out Mickey’s carefree nature. With this formula, you could create an endless number of adventures set in the timeless 1920s inspired black-and-white cartoon world with all the slapstick that comes with it. I would still have the spirit of the character while giving you a lot of room to mess around and do your own thing.

[@abijo5052]

Part of the issue is at the moment it's only the steamboat Willie version in the public domain. So certainly no mini mouse, and you can't use aspects about the character not seen in the short. Which is why horror is actually the safest bet for these studios- you can be shocking but just using the likeness, you have zero chance of getting sued

[@Hamza_Mansoor]

Michael was the first Ant-thony

[@Mitchellfw]

Oh wow, I just had a flashback to a series I used to watch as a kid based on "The Lost World" from the early 2000's. It was VERY cheesy and very much a "Xena: Warrior Princess" vibe.

[@wattmelberries]

Should've been Goofy. "I'll fucking do it again".

[@mariavalente6304]

How can i be sure one character I wanna use is in the public domain?

[@keineken_3281]

Where do you get this public domain information and list of characters and stories?

[@ДарьяЧернышева-н4х]

The fun thing about Wizard of Oz us there is a Russian... translation? plagiarizm? and THEN that story has 5 sequels of its own, completely separate from Wizard of Oz sequels (except for characters already stolen in the first installment)

[@ahmed_mo2nis_productions]

Sherlock Holmes is also public domain which is cool. So many characters from classic literature as well.

[@chadoftoons]

I think there is a video that is unintentionally similar to red bee about a doctor with bees that grossly misunderstands what justice is (a picnic lacking bees is not good in his eyes).

[@thelastdictator482]

I can't wait until Austin is finally in the public domain. I'm working on a spec script about him launching his public domain super heroes -it's like Birdman meets Adaptation. -this is not true.

[@joe6640]

Spring-Heeled Jack has already been featured in a notable work, he’s a recurring villain in the Skulduggery Pleasant book series!

[@abijo5052]

There's also a Philip Pullman book about spring heeled Jack

[@joe6640]

@@abijo5052 Oh nice one.

[@maccurtis730]

The Red Bee starring Nicholas Cage. Villian: "The bees, the bees, the bees ahhhhhhhhoooooooooooooooooo, they are attacking my eyeeeeeeeeesssssssssssss"!!!

[@clayjack9969]

I agree but the low budget, cash grab horror projects are a right of passage these public domain characters as they are fun and scratch that itch of sticking it to the Disney or whatever rights holder held onto that work way too long after the original creator’s death and also will motivate people to do something more original with the characters as they realize they can get away with anything they want now.

[@gusty7153]

im surprised there's more horror and creepypastas than there is porn of steamboat willie

[@uniyuki8712]

I cant believe its 2024 and there still hasnt been a horror movie adaptation of Oz, except for the Disney one and maybe some silent films but those were all just unintentionally spooky.

[@LTDLimiTeD1995]

The Lost World movie from the 50s/60s was fun.

[@John-kd2tc]

Your Cat Man cartoon is looking great!

[@dljennings26]

This has nothing to do with the video, but the first of a superhero was the phantom he was like a purple superhero or something, and he’s in the public domain wink wink

[@toby182]

Speaking of Australia, i still don't know what's up with Burger King and Hungry Jack's