Gay Batman vs. DC Comics

DC Comics apparently thinks it can threaten a Chelsea art dealer for displaying Mark Chamberlain's "gay batman" watercolors. This is yet another case of over the top trademark enforcement. According to the art dealer, "D.C. Comics wants me to hand over all unsold work and invoices for the sold work!" You can see the gay batman watercolors at ArtNet. Actually, ArtNet has been given a cease and desist from DC Comics for hosting the images.

What a load of crap. Trademarked images have worked themselves into our culture, and artists routinely make work that functions as commentary on that culture. And artistic expression is a protected right.

Link via BoingBoing.