In this review of Public Domain #9, both Dallas Comics and Singular Entertainment put on competing panels. That’s just the tip of the ice berg.
Public Domain #9
Written and Drawn by: Chip Zdarsky
Main Cover: Chip Zdarsky
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: October 9, 2024
This review contains spoilers
Comic conventions always have a certain energy about them, and in Public Domain #9, where we pick up on San Diego Comic Expo, the energy in question is drama.
The entirety of Public Domain #9 takes place at the Expo, starting off with our protagonists setting up the Dallas Comics booth, with Syd telling Miles about how all vendors at these events are equally accessible to the fans. Their panel about the new Domain series is set for that Friday, they’re ready to get the fans pumped for this new direction…only for Singular to have their panel set for the same day, at the same time. Not only that, but the Singular panel has the actor that plays The Domain in the films.
Miles, irate that Jerry outright stole his dad’s thunder during what should have been a big moment for him, shows up at the Singular panel to call him out on this move. Things get a bit heated as he’s calling Jerry out, Jerry and Carter end up fanning the flames, and Miles has to be escorted out of there by security. As it turns out, his freak-out goes viral and garners quite a bit of attention for Dallas Comics. In addition to this, Tanya’s mother has accepted the invitation to attend the Expo, and she’s judging everything, from the attendees to her own daughter’s life choices.
Dave, who had come to the Expo as part of the creative team, ends up ditching the Expo after having to bail his brother out of another situation. Jerry confronts Tanya for her whole role as part of the Dallas Comics team, only for her mother to descend upon him for harassing her kid. And to top off the whole drama of that weekend, Syd’s wife has accepted the invitation to the Expo as well, he tells her he knows that she cheated on him (but not with who he thinks).
So, yes, a lot of stuff happened in Public Domain #9. With the way issue 8 ended, I found myself wondering if the threat of the guys Miles owes money to would be addressed in the next one. It was not, but in all fairness, that would have packed this issue a bit too much. By keeping things focused on the Expo and all of the goings-on with that, Zdarsky was able to keep it at a good pace without it becoming overly busy.
The artwork was on-point as always. The background color palette kept making me think of the design for Singular Studios, which brings to mind the fact that Syd’s former creative partnership with Jerry (turned into a full-blown rivalry) is following him everywhere. It certainly feels like the Singular panel is a dominant force at this convention.
Also, giving Carter Dusk his own logo when introducing himself? A perfect way to show the guy’s personality. Not only does he have that Cringey Edgelord Energy about him, but the logo font adds a touch of self-importance to the mix. And the fact that Dave immediately undercuts said self-importance makes it even better.
Speaking of Dave, I’m looking forward to seeing where his arc leads. Telling his older brother that he’s sick of being the one to have to look out for everyone else feels like it might lead somewhere. At the moment, “somewhere” seems to be “a night of good-old-fashioned debauchery”, but if that’ll help take the edge off, then all the more power to him.
Of course, Miles’ “friends” are still out there and have promised to pay Dallas Comics a visit. They’ve encountered Dave in a prior issue, so they know his face. Being out alone and in an altered state is probably the worst possible time to have a run-in with these guys. Unsure if that would end up being the case, but either way, looking forward to seeing what comes up next time.
Editor’s Note: Image Comics provided The Comic Book Spot with an advanced copy of Public Domain #9 for review purposes. You can find this comic and help support us in the process by ordering this issue digitally on Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
