Question for Artists who use Marvel and DC characters in sketch books that they sell!

[THWIP!]

I've been to a bunch of comic con where an artist that works or worked for either the big to have sketch books that they sell and a bunch of them have sketches and drawings with characters from the big 2 companies. They are selling their art of drawings of Batman, Spider-Man and the like.

My question is, how is this legal? What copyright issues are there. I've seen at the end of a sketch say copyrights credited to the companies. Is there an understanding with the artists and the company? Are there rules that they have to follow, like not drawing nudes or whatever?

I'm curious.

[MayorMitch100]

yeah I have the same question. I thought about selling handmade ceramics busts of characters.

[Magnum V.I.]

yeah I have the same question. I thought about selling handmade ceramics busts of characters.

Power Girl would be your biggest seller.

[A.Huerta]

I think the big 2 consider it free advertising. That's just my guess tho.

[majorjoe23]

There seems to be an unspoken understanding that they're not going to do anything to hurt the artists they use/might someday use, but my guess is they could put a stop to it if they want.

[Supajoe]

Yeah, it definitely skirts a line, which is why I would never put a character from one of those publishers on a cover to a sketchbook I was selling. It's one thing to have them in the book, but for a cover I'd always just opt for an original character.

[THWIP!]

Thanks for the answer fellas.

[hamgravy]

The version of this that seems to tread that line is the sale of original posters and paintings that use copywritten characters. Seems ok if it's a reproduction of art sold by someone who was already commissioned to do that art for one of the companies. Not so much if it's a non-pro selling a licensed character done in their style. But, I've yet to hear of Cons or Publishers shutting them down either.

[Doug]

I have a sketch book by a pretty well known artist that I bought years ago. I was flipping through it after first buying it, and bam! right in the middle completely nude Wonder Woman.

I will not name the artist though in case it causes a problem for him/her.

[bartleby]

I have a sketch book by a pretty well known artist that I bought years ago. I was flipping through it after first buying it, and bam! right in the middle completely nude Wonder Woman.

If she's completely nude, how can you be sure that it's actually Wonder Woman?