Pool & Comic Art

[Chicagoplayer]

Hi all!

During the course of filming my documentary on pool/billiards, “Raising the Hustler”, I ventured into the world of comic art with my friend, Disney/Marvel comic artist, Scott Beaderstadt.

I attended many Comic-Cons around the country including San Diego International Comic Con twice, and was privileged to meet many famous comic artists.

During that time, I commissioned art from many of these artists of their most famous characters doing something “pool”.

My biggest motivation for doing so is, of course, the crossover of genres and growing the public’s interest in pool.
The greater our reach, the more interest we create.

I now have over 60 pieces of original art, and barring copyright and ownership issues, it’s my intent to do something with them, like self-publish a book of the journey including the art and information about the artists who drew them.

My question for the forum:
What are your thoughts?

Thank you,
-CP

 

[evergruven]

Hi all!

During the course of filming my documentary on pool/billiards, “Raising the Hustler”, I ventured into the world of comic art with my friend, Disney/Marvel comic artist, Scott Beaderstadt.

I attended many Comic-Cons around the country including San Diego International Comic Con twice, and was privileged to meet many famous comic artists.

During that time, I commissioned art from many of these artists of their most famous characters doing something “pool”.

My biggest motivation for doing so is, of course, the crossover of genres and growing the public’s interest in pool.
The greater our reach, the more interest we create.

I now have over 60 pieces of original art, and barring copyright and ownership issues, it’s my intent to do something with them, like self-publish a book of the journey including the art and information about the artists who drew them.

My question for the forum:
What are your thoughts?

Thank you,
-CP

CP, wow! you've somehow managed to combine two significant interests of mine: pool and (comic) art.
I'd have to think if I'd have any bright ideas for you, but admit I'd love to see what you've commissioned ^_^

 

[muskyed]

Really can't help with what direction you should go, or thoughts of what you should do, but as a retired head commercial photographer of 35 years, for one of the top US corporations, I delt with copyright on almost a daily basis. While my work was owned by our corporation, I also was frequently the go between for agency work, art, and photography, contracted out to on jobs I wasn't directly handling. Depending on how you commissioned the art work, would determine the ownership. In our case, we always had full rights and ownership. Artwork commissioned for a specific event could get sticky when used for something else afterwords unless you have full rights to that art. Example, say you commissioned art for a charity or nonprofit event and the artist gave a reduced price because of it. Now sometime later you want to use that piece for a profit making adventure, the artist would probably have rights to additional compensation for that unless you had contracted for full rights at the start. In our case we always had full ownership, rights of usage. Given your description of usage, I wouldn't think there would be much of a copyright issue.

 

[Chicagoplayer]

CP, wow! you've somehow managed to combine two significant interests of mine: pool and (comic) art.
I'd have to think if I'd have any bright ideas for you, but admit I'd love to see what you've commissioned ^_^

Okay, okay-
Here’s a teaser.
But just one

 

[Chicagoplayer]

Really can't help with what direction you should go, or thoughts of what you should do, but as a retired head commercial photographer of 35 years, for one of the top US corporations, I delt with copyright on almost a daily basis. While my work was owned by our corporation, I also was frequently the go between for agency work, art, and photography, contracted out to on jobs I wasn't directly handling. Depending on how you commissioned the art work, would determine the ownership. In our case, we always had full rights and ownership. Artwork commissioned for a specific event could get sticky when used for something else afterwords unless you have full rights to that art. Example, say you commissioned art for a charity or nonprofit event and the artist gave a reduced price because of it. Now sometime later you want to use that piece for a profit making adventure, the artist would probably have rights to additional compensation for that unless you had contracted for full rights at the start. In our case we always had full ownership, rights of usage. Given your description of usage, I wouldn't think there would be much of a copyright issue.

Huzzah!
Considering that I intend to include bio’s & contact info of the artists I include, I see it as a promotional avenue for the artists, and perhaps I can make a monetary remuneration to them in some form.

 

[Chicagoplayer]

Huzzah!
Considering that I intend to include bio’s & contact info of the artists I include, I see it as a promotional avenue for the artists, and perhaps I can make a monetary remuneration to them in some form.

Remind me to contact you if I get a C&D order

 

[Chicagoplayer]

CP, wow! you've somehow managed to combine two significant interests of mine: pool and (comic) art.
I'd have to think if I'd have any bright ideas for you, but admit I'd love to see what you've commissioned ^_^

Here’s a thought for you….

Imagine going to a Comic-Con and seeing hundreds of people cos-playing (dressing up) as
pool players

It’s already in the works.

That.
Will.
Happen.

 

[Chicagoplayer]

Really can't help with what direction you should go, or thoughts of what you should do, but as a retired head commercial photographer of 35 years, for one of the top US corporations, I delt with copyright on almost a daily basis. While my work was owned by our corporation, I also was frequently the go between for agency work, art, and photography, contracted out to on jobs I wasn't directly handling. Depending on how you commissioned the art work, would determine the ownership. In our case, we always had full rights and ownership. Artwork commissioned for a specific event could get sticky when used for something else afterwords unless you have full rights to that art. Example, say you commissioned art for a charity or nonprofit event and the artist gave a reduced price because of it. Now sometime later you want to use that piece for a profit making adventure, the artist would probably have rights to additional compensation for that unless you had contracted for full rights at the start. In our case we always had full ownership, rights of usage. Given your description of usage, I wouldn't think there would be much of a copyright issue.

And thank you Muskyed

 

[muskyed]

Sounds great. One of our commercial artists was really big in comic art as a hobby, and was personal friends with some of the top comic artists of the time. He was always drawing comic art on his off hours. His name was Elton Dorval, sadly he has passed years ago. Best of luck to you.

 

[muskyed]

After I posted this, I decided to type his name in Google, and it came up with stuff on his comic art. If your interested, type
Elton Dorval comic book, into Google and a bunch of stuff comes up. Don't remember him being that famous. Was really interesting. I have a good story of when we went out salmon trolling one time, and his boat started sinking, and I don't swim. This really brought back some good memories. Thanks

 

[John oleson]

Okay, okay-
Here’s a teaser.
But just one

I will buy a copy john_oleson@comcast.net

 

[kling&allen]

Do you have a release date for the full documentary? Your short was great.

https://www.billiardsmovies.com/chasing-wincardona/

 

[lfigueroa]

Hi all!

During the course of filming my documentary on pool/billiards, “Raising the Hustler”, I ventured into the world of comic art with my friend, Disney/Marvel comic artist, Scott Beaderstadt.

I attended many Comic-Cons around the country including San Diego International Comic Con twice, and was privileged to meet many famous comic artists.

During that time, I commissioned art from many of these artists of their most famous characters doing something “pool”.

My biggest motivation for doing so is, of course, the crossover of genres and growing the public’s interest in pool.
The greater our reach, the more interest we create.

I now have over 60 pieces of original art, and barring copyright and ownership issues, it’s my intent to do something with them, like self-publish a book of the journey including the art and information about the artists who drew them.

My question for the forum:
What are your thoughts?

Thank you,
-CP

Great idea!

My only suggestion is to perhaps include pieces with the same theme others might have picked up over the years. I'm sure there are a few out there.

Lou Figueroa

 

[Chicagoplayer]

Great idea!

My only suggestion is to perhaps include pieces with the same theme others might have picked up over the years. I'm sure there are a few out there.

Lou Figueroa

Hi Lou,

Could you explain a little more?
When you say, “the same theme others might have picked up”
what others and picked up from whom?

All of the comic art is famous characters doing something pool (theme) related.

So, most of the art is famous characters people already know and pool, which many people are familiar with.

 

[lfigueroa]

Hi Lou,

Could you explain a little more?
When you say, “the same theme others might have picked up”
what others and picked up from whom?

All of the comic art is famous characters doing something pool (theme) related.

So, most of the art is famous characters people already know and pool, which many people are familiar with.

Hi Angel

Well, in your OP you said you commissioned art from many of the artists you met. It was unclear if that’s every single one of the 60 you’ve collected but if it isn’t (or even if it is) I was thinking you might want to consider including other pool themed comedic pieces in your project. If you’re set on limiting it to famous characters, probably not.

Soooo, what I was suggesting was that you tap into other pool themed comedic art that might have been collected by others to broaden the appeal of your project.

Lou Figueroa

 

[Chicagoplayer]

Hi Angel

Well, in your OP you said you commissioned art from many of the artists you met. It was unclear if that’s every single one of the 60 you’ve collected

It is.

but if it isn’t (or even if it is) I was thinking you might want to consider including other pool themed comedic pieces in your project. If you’re set on limiting it to famous characters, probably not.

All the pieces I have were going to be the art that goes into the book.

Since I have 60 different comic artist’s work,
I thought that was pretty expansive.

For example, I have a Neal Adams piece.
Neal Adams is most recognized for his Batman work and his Superman v’s Muhammad Ali series from the 70’s and 80’s.

Soooo, what I was suggesting was that you tap into other pool themed comedic art that might have been collected by others to broaden the appeal of your project.

Do you have any examples of what you’re thinking?
I included a picture of artist Tom Richmond from Mad Magazine, and the Jackie Gleason Minnesota Fats sketch he did,
so are you talking like that,
or similar pieces
or actual comic book storylines?
Because I don’t have the rights to anybody’s comic books or storylines.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

It is.


All the pieces I have were going to be the art that goes into the book.

Since I have 60 different comic artist’s work,
I thought that was pretty expansive.

For example, I have a Neal Adams piece.
Neal Adams is most recognized for his Batman work and his Superman v’s Muhammad Ali series from the 70’s and 80’s.

Do you have any examples of what you’re thinking?
I included a picture of artist Tom Richmond from Mad Magazine, and the Jackie Gleason Minnesota Fats sketch he did,
so are you talking like that,
or similar pieces
or actual comic book storylines?
Because I don’t have the rights to anybody’s comic books or storylines.

Well, shoot, by now, "Dogs Playing Pool" by Cassius Coolidge has got to be in the public domain, lol.

And over the years I've seen comedic caricatures of pro players hanging on the walls of some rooms, but you'd have to track those down. Not a drawing but I've seen a funny poster of an exchange between sweaters, rail birds, and a pool player by a local St. Louis guy. And then of course there's, "A Pool Player's Dream" and other drawings by Arnold Roth that appeared in SI and for which you might get permission to reproduce. Maybe other folks know of more stuff.

Lou Figueroa

 

[Joe_Jaguar]

Here’s a thought for you….

Imagine going to a Comic-Con and seeing hundreds of people cos-playing (dressing up) as
pool players

It’s already in the works.

That.
Will.
Happen.

They would mix well with those dressing up as furry animals.

 

[Chicagoplayer]

They would mix well with those dressing up as furry animals.

that’s a whole different crowd,
but there probably is some overlap

 

[Chicagoplayer]

Well, shoot, by now, "Dogs Playing Pool" by Cassius Coolidge has got to be in the public domain, lol.

And over the years I've seen comedic caricatures of pro players hanging on the walls of some rooms, but you'd have to track those down. Not a drawing but I've seen a funny poster of an exchange between sweaters, rail birds, and a pool player by a local St. Louis guy. And then of course there's, "A Pool Player's Dream" and other drawings by Arnold Roth that appeared in SI and for which you might get permission to reproduce. Maybe other folks know of more stuff.

Lou Figueroa

Ah, okay.
I understand now.

But then the crossover between comics & pool wouldn’t be established.

I want comic art people to take an interest in pool.

I know pool people love all things pool, especially, for example Batgirl playing pool would probably go over well