Fables Creator Releases Hit Comic Book Series Into the Public Domain After Dispute With DC

Bill Willingham, the creator of the hit comic series Fables, is releasing the franchise into the public domain after a dispute with publisher DC.

In a self-penned press release on his blog These Foolish Games, Willingham announced on September 15 that “the comic book property called Fables, including all related Fables spin-offs and characters, is now in the public domain. What was once wholly owned by Bill Willingham is now owned by everyone, for all time”.

Willingham detailed the reasons behind his decision, citing a breakdown in his business relationship with DC Comics as a primary motivator. He claimed changes at the company over the past 20 years meant that “by virtue of attrition and employee replacement”, the Fables properties had “fallen into bad hands”.

He admitted there would be “too many things to list exhaustively” about his frustrations with DC but alleged longstanding disputes involving violations of agreements between himself and the company. Issues include an alleged lack of consultation, late and incorrect payment of royalties, and quarrels over media rights.

“Since I can’t afford to sue DC, to force them to live up to the letter and the spirit of our long-time agreements; since even winning such a suit would take ridiculous amounts of money out of my pocket and years out of my life,” Willingham explained, “I’ve decided to take a different approach, and fight them in a different arena, inspired by the principles of asymmetric warfare.”

I’ve decided to take a different approach, and fight them in a different arena, inspired by the principles of asymmetric warfare.

Since Willingham admittedly can’t afford to take legal action and is the sole owner of the Fables intellectual property, he has opted to “give it away to everyone” and arrange that it “falls into many good hands”. He specifically gave his blessing to Fables artist Mark Buckingham and regular inker Steve Leialoha.

“It was my absolute joy and pleasure to bring you Fables stories for the past 20 years. I look forward to seeing what you do with it,” Willingham signed off the lengthy post, which is worth reading in its entirety to understand the intricacies of the highlighted issues.

Fables is undoubtedly one of the most successful and beloved comics published under DC’s Vertigo imprint. It eventually blossomed into a hugely popular franchise, with the main series spanning 150 issues and inspiring numerous spin-off projects like Jack of Fables, Fairest, and even the Telltale Games series The Wolf Among Us.

The main series features several iconic characters from fantasy and folklore, including the likes of Snow White, Prince Charming, the Big Bad Wolf, and Pinocchio, as it focuses on refugees from countless worlds forming a settlement called Fabletown after fleeing the destructive rampage of a tyrant known as the Adversary.

Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.