Mystek

Created by Christopher Priest

+ History

Mystek began her career as a nemesis of the second Ray. (Ray #12) She eventually began hanging around the Justice League Task Force. The Martian Manhunter saw promise in her and she was invited to joined. (JLTF #26). Her life and career were short; she died during a mission in space shortly thereafter. (JLTF #32)

Mystek was intended to be a creator-owned property of Task Force writer Christopher Priest. However, DC did not approve his plans nor did they ever confirm his ownership of her. Since Priest had already written her into the DC Universe, she now belonged to DC. Priest's solution: kill 'er off —

Forum: rec.arts.comics.dc.universe
Subject: Re: MYSTEK: DON'T KILL HIM/HER OFF
Date: 1996/01/17
Author: Priest <cll24j90@rmii.com>

The decision to croak Mystek ws *mine*. I did not get a raw deal, DC Is Not Evil. It was a comedy of errors. I should *not* have written Mystek into DC continuity in advance of their decision whether or not to acquire the character. This was my fault. Me. Mine.

[T]here's still about 90% of backstory and depth you haven't seen. But DC evaluated the concept fairly, and decided it does not meet their current needs.

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Subject: Re: PRIEST: DC owns Mystek; character or concept?
Date: 1996/01/17
Author: Priest <cll24j90@rmii.com>

>[T]his statement clears up some of the confusion WRT Mystek's ownership: And 
it does. It is about 99.9% correct, with some amplification: > DC did not purchase 
the story behind the Mystek character. The back >story belongs to Priest, and 
he could choose to give it to another character at >some later point in time, 
as long as that character was sufficiently different >from Barclay/Mystek (including 
in name and appearance) as to clearly avoid >violating DC's trademarks. The 
known portion of Mystek's backstory (primarily 
>his involvement w/ the JLTF) is completely off-limits.

Including any comments or amplifications to that backstory I make [on Usenet]. … Whatever's not in print belongs to me, and the rac is protected by copyright law--it is de-facto publishing.

I'd probably have a seizure if Mystek came back anytime soon.

Part of the reason M was so flat for so long was my treading water while waiting for a decision. What *was* published isn't really enough for me to take out a second mortgage to buy [her] back.

Mystek is ™ and Copyright DC Comics, from the moment of his appearance in The Ray #12.

+ Powers

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Appearances + References

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