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Can I reference popular fictional characters in my story?
I'm writing a superhero story and want to have one reference to Superman when my hero gains his powers. The line is, "Tell him you turned into Superman."
My story is not set in the DC universe nor does it involve any of the DC characters. This line is a joke between two superheros in my story when the one asks what to tell his roommate after he learns he has powers.
The story is not for school. I'm an adult and graduated college many years ago. Depending how it turns out, I may want to publish it. I've had several articles published in newspapers and magazines already. However, this is my first try at fiction so not totally sure of the rules.
5 Answers
- ?Lv 75 years agoFavorite Answer
If your character is referencing a comic book, this is OK.
If your character is referencing a real person, it is not.
You can't write stories set in the DC universe, but you can have characters talk about reading DC comics or seeing movies.
- MarliLv 75 years ago
This may be a seemingly silly something that your publisher or your literary agent may have to ask a copyright lawyer about. You or I may say "He acts like Superman" and no harm done; but can you write it for publication without DC Comics suing for saying your character resembles their character? DC Comics didn't want a clothing company to place "Dad" within the Superman logo, so I suspect they could be anal about one reference to their character.
- 5 years ago
These are the real superheroes! that made/did everything possible to make a BIBLE! That's the highest and best heroes of the BIBLE! History of real life STORIES! There 56 BOOKS IN 1 BIBLE! That how hard it was to them to make it that FAR! Extremely hard to make it!The names of the twelve disciples of Jesus are Simon Peter, Andrew, James (the son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (the son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.
Source(s): https://goo.gl/images/KpUvXE - 5 years ago
You *can* do whatever you want; however, there could be some potential copyright issues, at play -- depending on whether or not your story is for school or you, actually, want to publish it.
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