Check out this article from Salon about Ray Bradbury's "relationship" with EC Comics. What a quirky, yet sane way to deal with copyright infringement. Enjoy.
This article originally appeared on Imprint.
In 1951, EC Comics started stealing Ray Bradbury’s work. After three swipes, Bradbury sent a letter to editor Bill Gaines. Not a cease-and-desist order, though. Instead, he wrote, “Just a note to remind you of an oversight. You have not as yet sent on the check for $50.00 to cover the use of secondary rights on my two stories ‘The Rocket Man’ and ‘Kaleidoscope. … I feel this was probably overlooked in the general confusion of office work, and look forward to your payment in the near future.”
Payment was quickly made, followed by two dozen more stories—officially authorized and duly credited.
To genre fans who prefer more challenging speculative fiction, Bradbury was known as the SF writer for people who don’t like SF. However, his adaptations, which also included his horror tales, worked just fine for the EC line, which appealed to smarter-than-average kids.
In memory of Bradbury, who died earlier this month, here are the splash pages for most of these tales. The one for “Mars Is Heaven” can be found here. Other recent Imprint features about EC Comics appear here and here. And thanks to Bhob Stewart for his research.
Unauthorized, uncredited adaptation of "The Handler." Art: Graham Ingels
Unauthorized composite of "Kaleidoscope" and "The Rocket Man." Art: Wally Wood
Art: Johnny Craig
Art: Jack Davis
Art: Graham Ingels
Art: Graham Ingels
Art: Joe Orlando
Art: Joe Orlando
Art: Al Williamson
Art: Jack Kamen
Art: Wally Wood
Art: Jack Kamen
Art: John Severin and Will Elder
Art: Al Williamson
Art: John Severin and Will Elder
Art: Jack Kamen
Art: Joe Orlando
Art: Reed Crandall
Art: Bernard Krigstein
Art: Al Williamson
Art: Al Feldstein
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For a decade-by-decade look at comic books, check out 1000 Comic Books You Must Read, available at MyDesignShop.com.
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