Event Recap: Comic Books & Graphic Novels – A Lawyer’s Guide from Page to Screen – Nelson

Speakers:

• Michael Lovitz, Founder, Lovitz IP Law
• Paul Menes, Of Counsel, Law Offices of Ronald P. Slates
• David Branfman, Counsel Branfman Mayfield Bustarde Reichenthal LLP (moderator)

By Dzina Nelson, Student Reporter

IP attorney Michael Lovitz, known as the “emperor of comic book law,” and veteran media lawyer Paul Menes led a high-energy, practical session on how comics and graphic novels travel from the page to film and television – and the legal pitfalls creators often encounter along the way.

The panel opened with copyright registration strategy, outlining how creators can protect evolving works by registering individual chapters, compilations, or related materials before a full series is complete. As self-publishing becomes increasingly accessible, the speakers compared going independent with partnering through established publishers, highlighting the trade-offs between creative control and distribution reach.

Lovitz and Menes traced typical creator career paths, explaining how many artists build their reputations through work-for-hire at major publishers before transitioning to creator-owned projects. Given the collaborative nature of comics, they underscored the importance of detailed agreements addressing joint authorship, ownership splits, creative control, and dispute-resolution mechanisms – issues that often become critical when adaptation opportunities arise.

A central topic was the distinction between shopping agreements and option agreements. Shopping agreements grant producers limited authority to pitch a project but offer minimal protection if a deal falls through. Option agreements establish payment terms, rights, timelines, and reversion mechanisms in far greater detail. The panel’s guidance was clear: ensure short-form agreements are binding, and secure a comprehensive long-form contract as early as possible.

The session closed with a forward-looking discussion on emerging technologies – AI, AR, VR, and evolving media platforms – and their impact on rights, deal structures, and exploitation opportunities. The speakers encouraged lawyers to draft agreements that anticipate these developments, enabling creators to protect their visions while taking advantage of expanding adaptation possibilities.