I'm debating right now whether or not to make a fan comic based off the Power Ranger franchise. But I just don't know if I should or not...

Pros are that I'll have another webcomic to work on, probably have a bunch of Power Ranger fans read it, and I can get the story out of my head.

Cons are that if I mess up, I can get sued by Disney. *NNNNOOOO!!!* Plus, I probably won't update it as much as my other comic.

So, what do you guys think? Should I go with it, or should I not?

"Why?" would be my question.

If you have a decent story in your head, write it with your own characters rather than someone else's. That way you don't have to worry about the possibly of getting sued (however remote!) and, if it's a hit, you might even make your first million off merchandising!
;-)

That part is already tooken care of. ^_^ Its a total orginal plot, story, and characters. Its just based off the whole Power Rangers theme.

Do it if you want to. Just know ahead of time that it's not something that will ever see print, since you can't profit from it legally. Do it for the love.

Disney ain't gonna sue you. Just think for a moment about how many Power Rangers fan comics/fanfics must be out there in the world.

mlai
Do it if you want to. Just know ahead of time that it's not something that will ever see print, since you can't profit from it legally. Do it for the love.

Disney ain't gonna sue you. Just think for a moment about how many Power Rangers fan comics/fanfics must be out there in the world.

I wouldn't be too sure about that statement. Disney have, in the past, forced quite a few fansites to shut down and other sites to remove any images copyrighted to Disney/ Saban from their sites.
Disney can be extremely letigious when the mood suits them, but as Power Rangers isn't one of their priority and more lucrative products (Disney cartoons, Pirates, Toy Story, etc.) they'll be less interested in taking any action unless you start trying to make money off the strip be it in selling printed copies of your strips, merchandise, etc.

The only reason the fanfics and comics have survived is because Disney have deemed them within boundaries that are acceptable to them (none use of existing characters, costume designs and plots.)
As long as you don't use the title Power Rangers or any of the spin-off titles, and character names, looks and designs, then you'll be fine. For costumes and robots, just tweak a few of the looks, and make sure you can show that they are not copied direct from the PR material, then that will leave you in the clear.

But, if your strip becomes a parody, then you'll be home and clear, as US copyright law allows parody.

This reminds me of a discussion I got into with some people, but it revolved around Star Wars and Star Trek. With these franchises the rules tend to be the same as above. Both Paramount Pictures (who own Star Trek) and Lucasfilm used to go through a lot of work forcing fansites to close, delete copyrighted images, artwork, etc. But nowadays, they are more lax with it, as long as the sites and artists don't try to make money off the stories, artwork, strips, etc without copyright clearance.

Go for it. All my better projects have been built from franchises because they inspired me and gave me lots of material to work with. Crafting all your own original stuff is really hard work, and I can see about your preference to craft this idea you have for a Power Rangers fan comic, because when inspired by a series myself, no matter how good my plots and original characters are and how much I would like to be able to convert them over into an "original" series, that is not what fan fiction is about. Being a fan means you craft something to be associated with something already established. I suppose the trick is, if you want to be a fan writer and maybe make a little money from it, you have to work with a non or semi-professional web comic artist/team to carry his/her/their own project into commercial presentation. A give and take sort of deal is probably the most succesful way to go; every one has an idea and the ones willing to give of themselves and yield are those going places.

Am I crazy?

*shameful plug* http://www.jaynaylor.com/NewWorlds/

Someone
no matter how good my plots and original characters are and how much I would like to be able to convert them over into an "original" series, that is not what fan fiction is about. Being a fan means you craft something to be associated with something already established.

Yes, how boring the world would be if everyone just up and decided that they're too good to spend any time on characters they didn't create themselves. Think of all the classics that would be lost if the bards and scribes didn't pass them down (and expand on them, and incorporate them). Civilization has been into fan fiction since before recorded history. The modern world is messed up. Imagine if a bunch of Vikings started sailing around killing minstrels and burning books because their eddas are being passed around without permission.

mlai

Someone
no matter how good my plots and original characters are and how much I would like to be able to convert them over into an "original" series, that is not what fan fiction is about. Being a fan means you craft something to be associated with something already established.

Yes, how boring the world would be if everyone just up and decided that they're too good to spend any time on characters they didn't create themselves. Think of all the classics that would be lost if the bards and scribes didn't pass them down (and expand on them, and incorporate them). Civilization has been into fan fiction since before recorded history. The modern world is messed up. Imagine if a bunch of Vikings started sailing around killing minstrels and burning books because their eddas are being passed around without permission.

I agree with ye! It would be boring... There wouldn't be such things as twists!

I can imagine that Viking thing, and I think it would be funny and sad at the same time.

(not really related, but I myself want to do a Harvest Moon fan comic...)

SkylerVane
Crafting all your own original stuff is really hard work

No it isn't :)

Just take elements from various places and mix until they don't resemble the originals at all. Take Klingons, change their appearance (for example replace the lumps on their faces with tattoos) and put them into fantasy setting and make them a race of conquerors invading the continent. There you go, an "original" idea :D

Now, creating something rooted in reality, that could be difficult as it requires a lot of research.

crazyninny
I'm debating right now whether or not to make a fan comic based off the Power Ranger franchise. But I just don't know if I should or not...

Pros are that I'll have another webcomic to work on, probably have a bunch of Power Ranger fans read it, and I can get the story out of my head.

Cons are that if I mess up, I can get sued by Disney. *NNNNOOOO!!!* Plus, I probably won't update it as much as my other comic.

So, what do you guys think? Should I go with it, or should I not?

go with it if you feel that it will give you satisfaction.

But I warn you though about fancomics, there is a bias AGAINST that kind of stuff. At least it isnt as bad as the bias against sprite comics though.

I wanted to do a fancomic before that crossed over my own characters. But I was like screw this! This is stupid. Why dont I make MY OWN character instead of using belldandy from oh my goddess. :)