Let's look at "Dr Nemesis". Clearly Marvel character is a derivative work of the Ace character. So the unique attributes that appear in the Marvel comics but not in the Ace comics are copyright by Marvel. If the original Ace character is public domain then ONLY THE ATTRIBUTES THAT ARE IN THE ORIGINAL ACE CHARACTER are public domain.
Mac
Agreed. Dr. Nemesis, as published in Ace comics, is public domain. All of his Ace adventures are public domain. The public domain version did not help create the Human Torch. He did not lead the Battle-Axis in WWII. He is not the original mutant. Those are all Marvel elements that belong to Marvel.
As for Blue Beetle, the original Fox Features BB, police officer Dan Garret, is public domain. He appeared in reprints for Charlton. Charlton's Blue Beetle, archaelogist Dan Garrett, is property of DC, as are all subsequesnt BBs. And DC does have trademark on BB. That's why he's referred to as "Big Blue" in Project Superpowers.
That's the idea behind our website. We try to present a PD character, give a brief synopsis of their PD information (secret ID, origin, important details), and list the PD sources (Golden Age PD comics). We do not (intentionally) mention any copyrighted information. That way we can be used as a research tool for creators looking for characters to use.
