Introducing ALT-DC

I might as well say it: I would LOVE to write for DC Comics - specifically their adaptations for film and television. Thankfully, there is something called "fan fiction" - however dubious its overall reputation - so while some mourn the "Snyderverse" as James Gunn and Peter Safran start ramping up their official DC Cinematic Universe with DC Studios, I want to share my more limited version of a DC multimedia "universe." ALT-DC is basically an adaptation of the foremost superheroes in the DC pantheon inspired by their Golden Age (roughly 1938-1940's) manifested as a series of short stories leading up to a feature-length screenplay entitled "Crucible of Truth." All of this deviates from the usual in that I am never going to forecast which major DC superhero will be at the center of any story nor will any story be named for or have a title featuring the name of any DC superhero. - major or not

Each story takes place during one of the preceding five years and focuses on different characters and their origins and exploits, also unfolding entirely in the context of a single world war (analogous to World War 2) won by an alliance of countries led by a fictional League of Nations or United Nations called the World Security Union (WSU). Its aftermath - specifically the extent of metahuman involvement and role of WSU propaganda - is the underpinning of every story and every hero's existence as we see it, with Superman's absence while training in space with one of Jack Kirby's classic cosmic creations making him look like a draft dodger and the likes of Bruce Wayne and Oliver Queen being a co-founders of the Justice Society as a group of wealthy and civic minded people to monitor the WSU. The most obvious influence of the Golden Age of DC Comics (which was National Publications until the late 1970's) can be seen in the villainous Lex Luthor, who is neither just an evil businessman or mad scientist here, but instead, a deposed, Hitler-esque dictator who seems to have  survived the world war and escaped subsequent prosecution in his flying dirigible. 

Assuming I can bring it all to fruition in one form or another, the rest is for you to find out. It all starts with the first short story V-Day (pdf embedded below), which focuses on the end of the war, Lois Lane's first day at the Daily Star (not yet the Daily Planet), and Clark Kent's personal shock when he returns to his childhood home in Smallville to see his mother for the first time since leaving to train in outer space five years earlier. If you like what you see, please speak out as I believe the entertainment industry to be evolving into something and in a way that could benefit from at least some legitimization of fan fiction and, more specifically, the best of the fan films and the filmmakers behind them who might find it next to impossible to get the recognition and opportunities they otherwise deserve simply making original content. As much as I respect copyright law, it's a bit disingenuous to expect up-and-coming filmmakers to restrict themselves to completely original material when just about all most studios want to work with nowadays are established IP's (intellectual properties) - i.e., adaptations of existing material with built-in audiences for sequels, prequels, remakes and re-imaginings.