Walking Dead lawsuit — Robert Kirkman sued
Tony Moore, the original artist of “The Walking Dead,” has filed a lawsuit against the writer, Robert Kirkman. The two were behind what’s one of the biggest comic-book success stories of the past decade, but now find themselves on opposite sides of this lawsuit, THR reports.
Moore drew the first six issues of “The Walking Dead” before leaving and being replaced by Charlie Adlard.
Moore claims he’s owed money from “The Walking Dead.” Kirkman’s attorney says the suit is frivolous. The Beat has the court documents posted and more information is in the link.
“The Walking Dead” TV series on AMC, based on the comics, is currently one of cable’s top-rated series.
- Matt Price
ComicsPRO update: Thief of Thieves starts strong; Smallville gets comics series; Avengers to battle X-Men
Kyle Roberts talks to Matt Price from the ComicsPRO meeting in Dallas. Expected topics of discussion include the Image Comics resurgence, including “Thief of Thieves”; the new Smallville comic book series; and the Marvel Comics Avengers vs. X-Men comics.
ComicsPRO Annual Meeting 2012 first thoughts
DALLAS — How will the rest of the comics market strike back?
That was one of the questions being asked around tables and in small groups at an informal meet-and-greet prior to the kickoff of the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting.
Since last year’s ComicsPRO meeting, DC Comics has shaken up the sales charts with its Sept. 2011 relaunch. In January, 5 months into the relaunch, DC Comics claimed all 10 of the top 10 comics in Diamond Comic Distributors monthly sales charts.
Because the comics market is often reactive, some retailers at the meeting openly wondered how DC’s competition might react to DC’s 2011 moves.
In early 2012, one company already seems to be shaking things up: Image Comics. Retailers reported very strong sales for the Image title “Fatale” and also for “Thief of Thieves,” released in comic shops today.
“Thief of Thieves” is co-written by Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer. Kirkman is the co-creator of “The Walking Dead” comic-book series, which has had great success adapted for television on AMC. Some have suggested there’s a “Walking Dead” spillover effect that’s helping the entire Image line, especially those properties tied to Kirkman.
There was also talk about Marvel’s upcoming “Avengers vs. X-Men” promotion, and the promotional idea allowing stores to sign up as supporting the Avengers or the X-Men.
At last year’s preview night, stores said some of the major problems facing the market were generating excitement, late-shipping books, and the still-lagging economy. This year, many of those problems have been addressed. While the economy overall is still recovering, DC’s relaunch helped generate excitement and prove that a major publisher could stick to a largely on-time schedule. Retailers remain interested in DC’s upcoming plans, including those about DC Comics’ just-announced “Before Watchmen” program. Many retailers are curious about how the series will be marketed in comic-book stores.
Thursday at the meeting will be a day of programming from DC Comics; other sponsors will share their programming on Friday and Saturday, in addition to retail-focused discussion and programming. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund will hold the First Annual Retailer Auction, at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting at 9 p.m. Friday.
With even more stores expected to attend the meeting than last year, it’s up to the gathered sponsors to get these decision-makers on board with their upcoming projects. With many stores feeling on firmer footing than in 2011, they’re actively looking for the new product or title that will get more people in the door and their money in the register.
- Matt Price
Happy 20th anniversary, Image Comics!
Congratulations to Image Comics on its 20th anniversary. The company, formed Feb. 1, 1992, was a key part of my teenage comic-book reading, and is still a vibrant and exciting company many years after the skeptics assumed they’d be long-gone. The company also should be commended for its work in promoting creator-owned comics.
- Matt Price
Joe Keatinge’s “Hell Yeah” coming in March
I talked to writer Joe Keatinge today, of the upcoming “Glory” and “Hell Yeah.” Look for an article in an upcoming Weekend Look, but in the meantime, I just wanted to point out this great cover for “Hell Yeah” by ELEPHANTMEN’s Andre Szymanowicz. I’m really looking forward to picking this one up.
Here’s how Image describes the comic:
Twenty years ago, the world was rocked by the emergence of real-life superheroes. Sports and entertainment industries collapsed overnight as people run across the planet and punch through walls changed the word forever. A new global culture formed around these bigger-than-life beings and now the generation raised in its wake must fight to find a place in this brave new world! By pairing the energy and excitement of the original Image superheroes with modern, innovative storytelling, Keatinge and Szymanowicz have crafted a modern superhero epic that could only begin on Image’s 20th anniversary.
You can check out a preview of “Hell Yeah” No. 1 in the upcoming “Chew” #23.
- Matt Price
“Bastard Road” short to premiere at Kyle Kinane’s Oklahoma City show
Comedian Kyle Kinane, one of Variety’s “Ten Comics to Watch” in 2010, comes to the City Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing, at 7 p.m. Sunday. Kinane, who has appeared on “Conan” and “Last Call with Carson Daly,” is bringing a world premiere with him.
The show will include the debut of the three-minute cartoon short “Bastard Road,” based on the comic created by writer Brian Winkeler, of Yukon, and artist Dave Curd, formerly of Edmond. Kinane and comedian Brian Posehn provide the voices.
The comic, about the post-apocalyptic wanderings of an amnesiac warrior, has appeared in the award-winning “Popgun” series of graphic novel anthologies from Image Comics. Eric Sandhop, of Oklahoma City, drew the comic in the most recent anthology, “Popgun” Vol. 4.
“It’s an ultraviolent, post-apocalyptic action/comedy: SpongeBob SquarePants meets ‘The Road Warrior,’” Winkeler told The Oklahoman in 2009.
Winkeler said he and Curd are currently pitching “Road” as an animated series and are at work on a 60-page graphic novel featuring the characters aimed at a summer release. Tickets for the Kyle Kinane show are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 951-0000 or go to cityartscenter.org.
- Matt Price
Jay Faerber writing “Near Death,” “Ringer”
Jay Faerber, known for his superhero comics “Noble Causes” and “Dynamo 5,” launched a new crime series this month called “Near Death.” It follows a former hitman named Markham as he tries to make amends for his misdeeds after a near-death experience. Faerber is also a writer on the Sarah Michelle Gellar series “Ringer.” “Ringer” airs Tuesday nights on the CW. Faerber recently talked to The Oklahoman about his new comic-book series. Here’s what Faerber said about crime fiction, his inspirations, and working in TV and comics at the same time.
The Walking Dead season 2 gets teaser, poster
The Walking Dead season 2, based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman, will start on AMC in October. The network just released the above teaser. Also, click past the cut for the promotional poster for season 2.
- Matt Price
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Dark Knight Rises poster; final Harry Potter opens; more Amazing Spider-Man news
Kyle and Matt take a look at the poster for “The Dark Knight Rises” and discuss the box office potential of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” Part 2. We also discuss the upcoming “Amazing Spider-Man” and what’s to come at Comic-Con International.
Review File: Captain America 1, X-Men Schism 1, The Red Wing 1
Comics read in 2011: 979 Still to go: 1,032.
Oklahoma creators among Harvey Award nominees
Oklahoma City artist Eric Sandhop illustrated this page from "Popgun" Vol. 4.
Three comic-book creators with Oklahoma ties are among the nominees for the Harvey Awards, comic-book awards selected exclusively by comic-book creators.
The awards will be presented as part of the 2011 Baltimore Comic-Con on Aug. 20 in Baltimore, Md.
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