The FIRST 1920s Hardy Boys books are crossing that line, but later books — including the 1950s rewrites boomer kids grew up with — still have to run out the clock.
Also, it’s the specific BOOKS that have entered the public domain. Characters can be registered as trademarks, and most of the commercially viable ones are (note all the little TM symbols in ads and such). Simon & Schuster owns the trademark on the Hardy Boys, so as I understand it Billy Dare will be obliged to work with Joe and Frank as specifically portrayed in one of the late 1920s titles. Note how the horror movie Winnie the Pooh is distorted enough to arguably be based on illustrations from the public domain book and not the 1960s Disney designs.
As for Sherlock Holmes, the last of the original stories has finally aged out of protection and I don’t believe anybody holds a valid trademark, so you can go wild so long as you don’t infringe on still-protected adaptations. You can unleash a horrible AI pastiche of Doyle’s stories, but you can’t commercially publish your “Sherlock” slash fiction.
Huh – Sherlock Holmes has been a major character in the Mary Russell series since 1994. First as Russell’s mentor and friend (The Beekeeper’s Apprentice), and later on as her husband! Think somebody oughtta tell Laurie R. King?
And, yeah, parodies have been around forever. I remember reading, and laughing at, Robert L. Fish’s “Schlock Homes” short stories back in the 1970s.
Early in its run, the National Lampoon did a parody Hardy Boys story “Chums in the Dark”, where the 1920s brothers naively encounter the vices of the early ‘70s. The NL didn’t worry much about copyrights, and around the same time caught flak for a brutal parody “Archie” comic.
Holmes: “I have no copyright protection! Lord help me! This god-awful Will Ferrell movie shall be my doom! …However, this Miyazaki-directed anime is not bad at all, despite turning me into a canine. And being portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch certainly takes the edge off (sniffffff)”
salakfarm Premium Member over 1 year ago
Next year, Mickey Mouse breaks out of Disney jail.
Panufo over 1 year ago
I’d follow this strip indefinitely just for this trope.
fritzoid Premium Member over 1 year ago
Not just Hercule Poirot, but Miss Marple as well…
jmarkoff2 over 1 year ago
Aren’t Hardy and Poirot trademarked?
ItsPat over 1 year ago
Somehow I think Leslie McFarlane would have loved the opportunity to write this!
JudasPeckerwood over 1 year ago
My money’s on the wombat.
Donald Benson Premium Member over 1 year ago
The FIRST 1920s Hardy Boys books are crossing that line, but later books — including the 1950s rewrites boomer kids grew up with — still have to run out the clock.
Also, it’s the specific BOOKS that have entered the public domain. Characters can be registered as trademarks, and most of the commercially viable ones are (note all the little TM symbols in ads and such). Simon & Schuster owns the trademark on the Hardy Boys, so as I understand it Billy Dare will be obliged to work with Joe and Frank as specifically portrayed in one of the late 1920s titles. Note how the horror movie Winnie the Pooh is distorted enough to arguably be based on illustrations from the public domain book and not the 1960s Disney designs.
As for Sherlock Holmes, the last of the original stories has finally aged out of protection and I don’t believe anybody holds a valid trademark, so you can go wild so long as you don’t infringe on still-protected adaptations. You can unleash a horrible AI pastiche of Doyle’s stories, but you can’t commercially publish your “Sherlock” slash fiction.
TheWildSow over 1 year ago
Huh – Sherlock Holmes has been a major character in the Mary Russell series since 1994. First as Russell’s mentor and friend (The Beekeeper’s Apprentice), and later on as her husband! Think somebody oughtta tell Laurie R. King?
And, yeah, parodies have been around forever. I remember reading, and laughing at, Robert L. Fish’s “Schlock Homes” short stories back in the 1970s.
Vince M over 1 year ago
Early in its run, the National Lampoon did a parody Hardy Boys story “Chums in the Dark”, where the 1920s brothers naively encounter the vices of the early ‘70s. The NL didn’t worry much about copyrights, and around the same time caught flak for a brutal parody “Archie” comic.
GaryCooper over 1 year ago
The Hardy Boys are whiners.
TheWildSow over 1 year ago
Need to wait another 3 years (2026) for Nancy Drew to show up! Meantime….er,….Sausage Party!
bxclent Premium Member over 1 year ago
was a Hardy Boys reader in grade school in the 60’s
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 1 year ago
Shouldn’t Poirot’s shirt say “Qui ont pété”
Bill Löhr Premium Member over 1 year ago
Sacrebleu!
larryculley over 1 year ago
Now that’s funny, R.B.!
gigagrouch over 1 year ago
Mein Beutelmaus ist verstopft!
Packratjohn Premium Member over 1 year ago
I’m waiting for Cadfael to join them.
Another Take over 1 year ago
The National Lampoon did a Hardy Boys spoof in the 70’s called Chums In The Dark. It clearly made an impression on me.
comixbomix over 1 year ago
Fascinating chapter number
ROSTERM3 over 1 year ago
They continued a comic from 2003 into 2023?
coop2003 Premium Member over 1 year ago
thanks, RB. I’m learning so much.
jpozenel over 1 year ago
A double Dare week!
Funny_Ha_Ha over 1 year ago
Anyone interested in Some Betty Boop nudes?
AndrewSihler over 1 year ago
Hunh, the Hardy Boys are aesthetes. Precious in other ways, too, I’d bet. There’s been talk. Well, hop to it, lads, you’re only young once.
Monster Hesh over 1 year ago
Holmes: “I have no copyright protection! Lord help me! This god-awful Will Ferrell movie shall be my doom! …However, this Miyazaki-directed anime is not bad at all, despite turning me into a canine. And being portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch certainly takes the edge off (sniffffff)”