Our cup is filled with new public domain characters this year. While 2025’s offerings only amounted to Popeye and Tintin, 2026 offered twice that number and more. However, it’s a little more restrictive than you might think.
Pluto: A new batch of Mickey Mouse cartoons entered the public domain on January 1, and with them the first version of Mickey the dog. Fun fact: It was named after the newly discovered “planet,” not the other way around, negating the decades of “a dog is a planet” pun that would follow. The name itself was intentional, folks!
The problem here: Two 1930 cartoons starred Pluto, but he wasn’t called Pluto yet and he didn’t belong to Mickey. It was Minnie’s dog and his name was Rover. Under these conditions, he would be difficult to recognize and would not be as truly “free” as we think. Better to wait another year.
Betty Boop: 1930 also saw the release of “Dizzie Dishes”, Max Fleischer’s first Betty Boop cartoon. Although now nearly a century old, Betty still controls a profitable line of merchandise. Profits that can be yours now!
The problem here: Don’t turn on this pottery kiln to bake your own commercial homemade pottery just yet. Betty’s appearance in “Dizzie Dishes” was completely different…and by that I mean she wasn’t even human. I started out as a dog! Better to wait another year.
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Blondie: Chic Young’s Blondie comic strip ran in the last four months of 1930. Dagwood also appeared in these strips, so both are fair use as of this week.
The problem here: She was not married to him yet. Blondie started out as a model, just like Betty Boop – in fact her maiden name was “Blondie Boopadub”. You can only use the Boopadoop version and they should just be dating. Blondie also looked a little different back then, although her signature curly hair has always been a part of her.
Nancy Drew: The world’s most famous teen detective is no longer tied to any publishing company. The Hardy Boyz predated Nancy and had been free for years, so…why not have a team? In fact, you can go even further thanks to Agatha Christie Miss Marple It just crossed the PD line in 2026 as well.
The problem here: In fact, we don’t expect any problems… as long as Nancy is different enough to be like you. If only we could make a new season of the CW series Nancy Drew, but for this particular installment, we’ll have to wait another 91 years.
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The publication Who is Public Domain in 2026? The post Betty Boop, Pluto, Blondie And More appeared first on Anime Superhero News.
