DFG President Asserts Ownership of Captain Nepto

By Robert Kahn
Freelance Reporter

DFG President and Co-Publisher Dan Graves responded this morning to Todd Abbot's relaunch of the now defunct DTA Comics line and appropriation of Captain Nepto: "It's theft, pure and simple," said Mr. Graves, "DFG owns both DTA and Cap, lock, stock and barrel. If Mr. Abbot thinks that that he can win this one, he is sadly mistaken." DTA Comics was the original imprint under which Captain Nepto was released by Darryl Andrews (DFG's Vice-President and Co-Publisher). DFG and DTA merged in the early 1980's and DTA characters immediately began to appear under the DFG banner. Apparently, DFG let the trademark for DTA lapse and Mr. Abbot legally purchased the trademark earlier this week. In addition, Mr. Abbot claims that he created both Captain Nepto and pivotal supporting characters, such as the Jester, while "ghosting" for Mr. Andrews back in the 1980's. "It's all nonsense," said Darryl Andrews, when asked about Abbot's claim to Nepto, "he was working for DFG, doing some inking, background artwork and the occasional fill-in work, nothing more. I created Nepto and all related characters and they are wholly owned by DFG Comics." According to the newly-launched DTA website, Abbot is planning to launch a new Captain Nepto series entitled The Original Captain Nepto featuring stories of Captain Nepto from the earliest stage of his career (early 1980's). "This series is clearly intended to compete with DFG's new Captain Nepto Prime set somewhat later in the mid 1980's," said Mr. Graves. "Todd Abbot is clearly trying to use DFG copyright characters for his own personal gain and to attempt to hurt DFG, but let me tell you, we will not be distracted. Captain Nepto Prime is set to launch this summer and we believe that fans will be loyal to our version of Nepto." When reached for comment, Todd Abbot made the following statement: "I have no desire to use any of the later DFG interpretations of Captain Nepto as I believe them to be spurious and false interpretations. DFG seriously corrupted the character and universe that I so brilliantly created nearly thirty years ago. In The Original Captain Nepto we will be seeing the real Cap - that is, the one with super powers, with the "CN" insignia on his chest, and the classy wig. In addition, watch for MY classic villains such as the Jester, not the Darryl Andrews knock-offs that we've seen over the past number of years."

More on this story as it develops.

Picture of DFG President Dan Graves courtesy of Darryl Andrews, personal collection.

Abbot Steals DTA Comics Trademark

As reported by DTA Comics Online
dta-comics.blogspot.com

Todd Abbot announced, "I believe that it's important to the history of DFG. It's something that they are proud of and they see it as part of their heritage. I'm just the one to show them how much it will hurt"

The title DTA Comics was used originally by Darryl Andrews to publish the original Captain Nepto stories. Todd Abbot was one of the first hires for the series and transferred to DFG Comics when the two publishers integrated. DTA Comics received a federal trademark in the early 1980s. That trademark expired more than a decade ago. Abbot says no one noticed until now.

"It most certainly was a mistake" DFG legal counsel, Sir Milton Goldfarbstein said. "We failed to renew the trademark back in 1990's and now Mr. Abbot, out of revenge has taken control over it."

Mr. Abbot says he discovered last fall that the trademark expired. He quietly filed an application this month.

Being known as DTA Comics means more than just bragging rights. It also means money. Both companies can lay some claim to the Captain Nepto orgins.

This isn't the first squabble between the two parties. DFG Management and Mr. Abbot have had a blistering relationship of late. "I don't think that Todd would want to go to war, so to speak, over something like this," Publisher Dan Graves said. "But this is something we take seriously. 'This is who we are. Todd has no idea of the beast he has awoken"

DFG's "Big Three" -- or was that DFG's "Big Four"

By Bob Barnes

DFG ONLINE Staff Reporter

Todd Abbot is once again reported to be "furious" over another DFG "snub." The latest altercation comes on the heels of the "Captain Nepto Prime" snub earlier this week, in which Abbot was excluded from contributing to the new Captian Nepto Prime series. However, the latest controversy involves a picture posted to the DFG website by Vice-President and Co-Publisher Darryl Andrews, earlier today. The photo is entitled "DFG's Big Three: Pete, Dan and Darryl." But note, there is a fourth individual (whose hand and arm can be seen on Pete's left shoulder) who was cropped out. Abbot claims that this is him. "I was in on the ground floor during the Golden Age of DFG," said Mr. Abbot, "It's common knowledge throughout fandom that we were known as the 'big four.'" The picture was apparently taken at a DFG reunion c. 2000, at which Mr. Abbot was reportedly present, but had imbided considerable quantities of alcoholic beverages. "This photo was taken for a prominent fan magazine and it was supposed to acompany an article that outlined the influence of the 'big four,'" said Mr. Abbot, "Obviously the brass at DFG not only wants to cut me out of the current picture, but out of the canonical history of DFG as well! I can only say that I find this behaviour very hurtful." When asked about the photo, DFG President and Co-Publisher Dan Graves commented, "It's always been the 'big three.' There was never a 'big four.' Mr. Abbot is clearly delusional and has never adequately dealt with his alcohol problem. Incidentally, the figure cropped out of the picture is actually Pete's Dad, Jim Repas, who was present when Peter received a life-time achievement award for his contribution to the industry." Mr. Graves asked any further questions to be directed at DFG legal counsel, Sir Milton Goldfarbstein, who, incidentally has completely recovered from his earlier health scare.

Todd Abbot Makes Pitch

By Cynthia Martin
Freelance Reporter
Special to DFG ONLINE!

It's no secret that Comic Icon Todd Abbot, wants to participate in the new Captain Nepto series. Mr. Abbot has even set aside his own project, "Dog-Man" to do some primary pencils for the new issue. Have Dan & Darryl reconsidered? Talk around the company water cooler doesn't indicate that, but I'm taking few bathroom breaks to keep you all updated on this important story.

Spy Comics Presents the Invincibles #2 -- Page 3 Now ONLINE!

DFG Comics is proud to release a preview of the third page of Spy Comics Presents the Invincibles #3. We have recently previewed pages 1 & 2 as well as the pencil artwork for the cover. This will be the last preview before the issue is released. Pages 4, 5 & 6 are nearly completed and the entire issue will be posted on our ONLINE Publications site soon. The current page features an interchange between the Governor General, Sir Julius Smithers (formerly the Spymaster) and Nitro: The Man with the TNT Punch (Stefan Ladley). Smithers is currently trying to restart the super-team "The Invincibles" to take on a group of renegade heroes led by Captain Nepto (David Anderson). In this interchange, Smithers is berating Ladley for missing the state funeral of Prime Minister Randy Anderson who was assassinated by Nepto and his crew (Randy Anderson is also the half-brother of David Anderson, and the reformed villain known as the Sea Serpent).

Watch for the return of another character from the early days of DFG in the upcoming pages of the issue!