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Keep your Master Chiefs, bearded Kratos, fancy flux capacitor powered hardware. E3 2016 had one of the best line ups for those of us who love big comic book experiences in gaming. Batman, Spider-Man, Walking Dead just to name a few. Here’s the games based on comic book characters we’re most excited for from E3 2016: Spider-Man […]

Telltale games announces Michonne mini series start date.

The Walking Dead fires up again with 8 more episodes on February 14th, 2016, and AMC just released a teaser that paves the way for Negan’s signature blend of mayhem and misery. Looks like more guts and death for everyone—and nothing makes you feel better about your own life than watching The Walking Dead. 

Seriously, […]

Just a short time ago at The Game Awards we got the surprise announcement about Telltale Games taking on the world of Batman in 2016. Now they’ve debuted footage from the highly anticipated The Walking Dead: Michonne mini-series. “We’ve been hard at work on this very special exploration of The Walking Dead universe that will […]

Gunfire at the Ft. Myers charitable event created a real-life running zombie herd, but the organizers’ security safeguards may have helped prevent further harm. Shootings have become a depressing fact of life here in the U.S. — and for those of you who spent a fair amount of time in New York and other large […]

Robert Kirkman sits down with Seth Myers to talk about what grosses him out about zombies.

Yes, that's right: Image. I know I usually do the DC Comics sales summaries here at The Beat, but while Heidi looks for someone to step in and handle the Indy comics chart I volunteered to do a column focusing on Image. With around seventy titles each month they're about as large (titles-wise) as Marvel or DC, so I figure they should have their own column, yes? Warning: The commentary may be even more mis-informed than usual...

The important thing to remember when looking at Image's sales numbers is that they're not really playing the same game as other comics companies. My understanding (and I'm sure you'll all correct me if I'm wrong in the comments below...) is that Image charges a flat fee for producing, listing and distributing comics, so that after that fee and the printing costs, whatever is left over goes directly to whoever supplied the comic. (This may be different for the official Image partners...)

Comics Beat was invited to an early morning look at Walker Stalker Con Fan Fest at Petco Park on Friday. A con within a con celebration of all things zombie but mostly Walking Dead. Take a look at a few candid shots from our brief time at the show.

Going in through part of the walking dead escape course

Jinx Zombie Shoot!

stage for conversations with Walking Dead stars and famous horror creators

Great new decor for the zombie fan household

Skybound Walker Stalker Fest merch booth with exclusives only available at W/S Fest

Fans got to spend time with some great Walking Dead alumni such as Hershel himself Scott Wilson

IronE Singleton making memories with fans.

We miss you T-Dog

Even after the zombie apocalypse people can’t go without their iced coffee

Fans got shirts blasted at them as only Skybound can by large mech

WWF Legends at a zombie con

Various set ups from partners including Twitch TV’s broadcast of live table top card game gone digital, Superfight

Walker Stalker Con tours the world year round with full larger shows in places like Brazil, London, and various U.S. Cities. Fans can find more info including upcoming dates on the Walker Stalker Con website.

Though Robert Kirkman couldn’t be in attendance, it didn’t stop Skybound from bringing together members of there ever expanding collaborative universe at SDCC to celebrate the imprint’s 5th anniversary.

Hosted by gaming personality Geoff Keighley; the house of Kirkman’s dais consisted of Sean Mackiewicz, Skybound president David Alpert, Darin Ross, and from Telltale Games TQ Jefferson,

Alpert opened by talking about the organic growth of Skybound from Robert Kirkman’s creator owned manifesto. The company’s philosophy of an “open source” system hasnow paid more dividens with the upcoming TV adaptation of Outcast. From table top games to VR and movies, Skybound has grown beyond comics into a “creator company”. Alpert also teased some upcoming animation projects and even possibly “radio”.

Geoff brought up the company’s table top game “Superfight” which started with Darin Ross created a card game using Kickstarter. Alpert told a story of Ross playing the game at the Skybound office. Once the entire staff gathered to see it the studio immediately made an offer to publish the game. A new mobile app from 505 Games will expand the world by taking the cards digital. The trailer rolled showing the game in action which brings the game fully into the digital world with animations.

Next the panel went over Skybound games starting with Telltale Games. Former Marvel games executive TQ Jefferson and Mackiwicz came on stage to talk about the recently announce TellTale The Walking Dead Michonne game. TQ talked about a different feel for the game that the character naturally brings. As opposed to playing as Lee or Clementine, players won’t necessarily run from danger. It puts gamers in the feel of a bad ass in Kirkman’s universe. The story will tell the events of Michonne’s disappearance between issues 126-127. Some new concept art was unveild during the presentation; it’s not indicative of the final game but more of how Telltale are telling the story.

Keighly moved into Starbreeze VR’s Overkill’s The Walking Dead. At SDCC fans can play the teaser shown during E3 in the Skybound “VR RV”. The company’s also working on a live action experience with Samsung. Fans can pick up a set of cardboard glasses at the show and then download an experience you’ll go through by sliding your phone into the glasses. The RV will be touring around the country.

Shifting back to more traditional mediums, the panel talked about the upcoming Fear the Walking Dead spinoff show on AMC. With the setting shifting to Los Angeles and a different time line everything has to be reconsidered. The zombies you’ll see from one show will be affected differently from the other.

Outcast also got a bit of discussion. More, including the first footage will be shown Saturday during the Outcast panel.

Skybound’s first feature film, Air, showed the first trailer for the film. The script was co-written and directed by one of the creative leads on Rockstar Game’s western hit Red Dead Redemption, Christian Cantamessa.  The duel between Norman Reedus and Dijmon Hunsou looks intense. We’ll be at the premiere tomorrow night and give you a review shortly after.

The Q&A was short but did tease something in the works involving gaming for Invincible that fans can expect an announcement on for SDCC 2016.

We’re just a little bit over a week from one of the biggest video game trade shows around, E3. Publishers and developers are readying snipitets of their upcoming games for a select few to go hands on with. Before the madness ensues, Bethesda Softworks (Elder Scrolls, Skyrim) took it upon themselves to make a major pre-show announcement earlier this week. Meanwhile, Telltale Games revealed they won’t have much to demo at E3, but teased something big for Walking Dead fans. Finally, Microsoft wants to bring the general public a slice of E3…Let’s Go!

The creative force behind popular games such as Skyrim and Elder Scrolls confirmed the long rumored next chapter of the Fallout game series. This past Wednesday Bethesda Softworks officially announced Fallout 4 and dropped the game’s first teaser.

The only things certain about Fallout 4 is that it won’t be coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360. This one will be a modern console and PC only game. But from the trailer we can deduce for certain a return to Vault 111 with some good ol Nuka Cola, oh and it’ll have a dog and well that’s about it. More details about the game will be revealed during Bethesda’s E3 showcase on June 14 at 7pm PST. Fans can watch it live on the developers YouTube channel here.

Our thought:

Since the trailers debut the Internet has given Fallout 4 the scrutinizing response many a film and celebrity have enjoyed. Some have said “it doesn’t look as good as it should”, while others have made fun of the Baahston setting with Fenway Park. Bethesda’s previous entry, Fallout 3, was a technical and visual achievement for previous gen consoles. In this current shiny 4K era, visual achievements are few and far between. The room left for evolutionary leaps rests in the gameplay mechanics. If you enjoyed Skyrim on a PS3 or Xbox 360, then it’s fun to imagine what Bethesda’s mind could do with the power of this new generation of consoles, maybe even giving the game an online capability it’s never seen before.

What’s most interesting about the rumors still swirling around Fallout 4 is its possible release date. The Bethesda online store suggest it could be this year. Its estimated ship date is listed as “TBA 2015,” both before and after Fallout 4 is added to your cart. This could certainly just be a placeholder date because “dates subject to change” is always a thing. If gamers do indeed see the next chapter of Fallout in 2015 then it means Bethesda have pulled off something rare in today’s spoiler filled world. They’d have to have been working on Fallout since 2012 and kept it a secret from the public and press, something I didn’t think possible this day in age. Which will also mean we’ll see a heavy PR campaign bombard mainstream media and your favorite convention this Summer.

How mind-blowing would it be if Bethesda went on stage and said “pick up Fallout 4 this August”? The only thing that could top this is if Gabe Newell from Valve came to an E3 press conference and said Half-Life 3 is on STEAM today, then he Gallagher mallets an old Atari and walks off. Man I could go for some watermelon right now.

Just when we think we’ve got all the answers; Telltale Games changes the questions. While the award winning developers of story driven game adaptations such as Fables, Borderlands, and Game of Thrones won’t have a large presence on the E3 show floor; it doesn’t mean they won’t make waves. This past Tuesday the company’s Director of PR, Job J Stauffer, tweeted the following.

While they’ve previously made it clear their Walking Dead series would not get a season 3 in 2015; they haven’t said what fans will get in its place this year. Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman will be on the official E3 YouTube live stream to help make whatever this announcement is. You can watch it go down here Monday morning.

Also, fans of Minecraft expecting details on Telltale’s Minecraft: Story Mode game will have to wait till Minecon in London, this July 4-5.

Our Thought:

Kirkman has always spoken highly of simply having Telltale come up to him with the story and letting the developer run with it. With Robert on hand for the official announcement it could mean the developer’s first move into synergy with other Walking Dead properties. With AMC well into production on the upcoming Fear The Walking Dead spin-off we could see a game prequel that leads into the show’s debut.

Also, some have criticized Telltale for not showing Minecraft: Story Mode at E3. It’s actually far from a mistake. Minecon is the perfect setting to build a media frenzy with fans who are all but guaranteed to go crazy for the game in a market that often needs more push than the US. Telltale have been more questions than answers as of late but when they do peel back the curtains they have a knack for picking the most opportune time.

While we all knew Sony is sure to show more Uncharted 4 at their upcoming press event. PlayStation let leak the expected news of an Uncharted PS3 collection port for the PlayStation 4. Bluepoint Games, a studio with a portfolio full of stellar ports is tasked with bringing Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection to the PS4 on October 9, 2015.

In addition to the full 1080p 60FPS and texture upgrades, the game not only brings the story modes but includes all the previously available multiplayer goodness.  Buying the Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection grants you exclusive access to Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End multiplayer Beta version.

Our Thought:

Sony has put too much of its resources on ports. The ratio of good new PS4 experiences to ports is dismally lopsided. I love my PS4, but when I go long periods of time without turning it on… I start to wonder why I even bought it in the first place. Admittedly, when you consider that the PS4 console sales lapped the PS3 within its first year; it translates to an audience of Xbox 360 converts who might not have previously played Uncharted. In a way it makes them a necessary evil towards the success of a triple-A title like Uncharted 4 by removing any kind of high wall putting a #4 on the end of a game might place in consumers minds.

On a side note, Sony would be wise to include the six issue mini-series published by DC Comics as part of the Uncharted collection. Either as a bonus or on disc digital. Cause you know… comics!

Electronic Entertainment Expo or as it’s commonly known, E3, is the biggest trade show in gaming. It takes up the entire Los Angeles Convention Center and overwhelms the senses more so than SDCC ever could. So many have growled about it not being open to the public, but most trade shows typically aren’t for fans. While that’s not likely to change anytime soon, many developers and publishers that contribute to the spectacle of the show throw orbiting events the public CAN attend. Microsoft is taking full advantage of this.

Xbox want to bring Los Angeles gamers as close to the action as possible. While their social media guru, Major Nelson and company, will be delivering content from the show floor all week on the Xbox YouTube channel, the company is also putting together Xbox FanFest: E3 2015.

Xbox will give 500 lucky fans a one-of-a-kind ticket for E3 week, the gaming industry’s biggest showcase.  The Xbox FanFest Ticket will include:

• Entry into the Xbox E3 2015 Briefing on Monday, June 15^th, 9:30 am PT, at the Galen Center in downtown Los Angeles.
• Invite to the exclusive Xbox FanFest Party, Monday afternoon, June 15^th, where fans will get to play the best exclusives and biggest blockbuster games this holiday and beyond.
• VIP access to the Xbox esports Celebrity Challenge & Twitch Party sponsored by Xbox.
• Meet-and-greet with some of the industry’s top developers, leaders and influencers.
• Even more surprise events during the week.

To be one of the lucky 500:

Fans can begin lining up at Microsoft at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles, starting at 10 p.m. PDT on Saturday, June 13. This Microsoft store is located at 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, though the line will start near the LensCrafters on Avenue of the Stars.

Tickets will be distributed on a first come first served basis beginning at 11am on June 14 at the Microsoft Store at Westfield Century City.

In order to be eligible, fans need to be at least 21 years of age with a valid Xbox Live gamertag (Gold Membership not required)

Our Thought:

Want to know a bit of insider info? Jeff Rubinstein of the Xbox team is a former part of Sony’s PlayStation Blog team. If you previously followed their E3 events, he was primarily responsible for all the run of the mill gamers getting into E3 every year they threw an event. Sony’s followers would line up like it was SDCC in front of the LA Sports Area to try and ensure their entrance into the press conference and be rewarded with a complimentary exhibits pass to E3. How the man did it, I have no clue.

So to anyone considering trying to be one of the 500, do it. Last year those at the Microsoft event had to go through a lottery to try and win their way in. From what I heard, 200 Xbox fans were granted entrance to the Xbox press event and access to the E3 show floor. Jeff’s highest number with Sony was 250, could he top that this year with Xbox? If you’re an LA area SDCC Hall H veteran, you’re no stranger to this and the loot is worth spending a summer night in an LA mall to find out.

With one week left till E3 don’t expect much in the way of major announcements in the next few days. If you’re one of those people that kills time on social media follow @Comicsbeatlive on twitter for some of the sights and free energy drinks of E3. Follow the Instagram account as well for blurry pics from the show as my finger partially covers cameras all week. How can I get fire on this iPhone again?

Between convention planning, watching season finales, and a little thing called Secret Wars; this week’s gotten away from me real fast. Oh, AND I got hands on a bit with a major September game release. We can’t talk about it for a few more weeks but I will say Fall can’t come fast enough. Today we’ll gab a bit about Telltale Games remaining 2015 plans and some exciting stuff for the DCUO faithful. Let’s Go!

Telltale Games (The Walking Dead, Tales From The Borderlands) recently released a statement clarifying something it implied at SXSW. Looks like we won’t be seeing Walking Dead Season 3 the game in 2015. Although the developer did tease something from the Walking Dead universe would be coming this year. No word on if this would be part of their new “Supershow” project that merges TV and games or if it would be something like TWD: 400 days which was a standalone game released between seasons 1 &2 of the franchise. Telltale Games current projects include stories based on HBO‘s Game of Thrones, Gearbox Software‘s Borderlands, and Minecraft.

Our thought:

Telltale may not produce the most cutting edge games on the market, but they’ve amassed a library of excellent stories. With  recent hirings on the development side along with partnerships that include Lionsgate and Marvel, Telltale’s footprint in the industry has grown immensely. Naturally some projects will have to slow down to make room for others. Now we know Walking Dead is going to be one of them, but The Wolf Among Us also deserves to have its story continue in gaming. Hopefully we’ll hear more about that one soon.

We recently took part in a walkthrough of the latest DC Universe Online content addition, Halls of Power Part II. The studio behind DCUO, Daybreak Games, showed off the iconic DC Comics worlds of Apokolips and New Genesis. Comic fans will no doubt recognize them from Jack Kirby’s New Gods. Settings weren’t the only treat for long time fans, many of your favorite characters from Kirby’s creation make appearances in the game, such as Orion, Steppenwolf, Granny Goodness, and Mister Miracle. DCUO’s newest content adds solo player missions, duos, alert-sized parties, and even raids. This DLC drop will also coincide with the new new loot choice feature, DC Universe Online players can choose from a table of loot after defeating a boss. Once a selection has been made, the loot choice and any other loot the boss dropped will be delivered to the player.

DC Universe Online is about creating your own hero to be part of the publisher’s mythology and the game’s Design Director Jesse Benjamin and Sr. Creative Director Jens Andersen demoed new items to customize characters with which utilize elements like the fire pits of Darkseid’s kingdom, Apokolips. The hellish planet was also where the devs walked us through one of the game’s new missions. Players will face –pass or fail– trials consisting of some puzzle solving and combat against Parademons just before confronting brainwashed Mister Miracle and Big Barda and even Superman.

Halls of Power content has been teasing a confrontation with one of the DC Universe’s most heinous threats, Darkseid. Part II continues to tease the villain from the shadows and his quest for anti-life.

DC Universe Online is free to download and play on PC and PlayStation systems. The Halls of Power Part II DLC is available now for membership subscribers to download for free while non-members can purchase the content separately for $9.99 starting on May 16, 2015.

Our thought:

DC Universe Online has managed to carve out it’s own niche in an oversaturated market of MMO’s like World of Warcraft. Since it’s initial release in 2011, the game has delighted comic book fans and been a true to its source material bridge between the world of gaming and comics. The Halls of Power DLC joins such comic nods in the game as its War of the Light content. The publisher’s current event, Convergence, has become unreadable.  DCUO and its new content are a welcome time stealer to hold my DC Comics needs till the books come back in a few weeks.

Cosplayers, comic book adaptation fans, gamers; rejoice! Ubisoft has announced a new Assassin’s Creed game.

Set in London in 1868, the game will feature two playable protagonists, twins Jacob and Evie Frye. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate will strictly be a single player affair. This decision was made to give the development team the resources to create the biggest map the series has ever seen. In fact from initial statements, the size of the game will be 30% bigger than Assiassin’s Creed Unity. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate will release worldwide on PS4 and Xbox One on October 23rd, with a PC version to follow later in Autumn.

Our thought:

Another year another AC. Though I have to admit this one has a bit of a steampunk feel to it that feels at home here. The series has a mixed bag of highs and lows, but the franchise has yet to make that one entry that earns a place in the legendary pantheon of gaming. This one’s even going to have appearances from Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir in old timey English bareknuckle fight club type sequences. If you put in steampunk Paul Heyman, then Ubisoft has sold a copy. Also I wouldn’t mind seeing another comic based on the series. The book written by Brenden Fletcher was one of the better adaptations based on a franchise.

What’s your favorite Assassin’s Creed game? Is DC Universe Online better than Convergence? Did you kill Kenny? Let us know here or on the social pagers and come back this weekend for the Secret Wars wrap up week 1. 

The Walking Dead #132 topped the October charts, helping Image lands a 9.77% dollar share and impressive 12.28% unit share, according to figures just released by Diamond. While the zombie book led the charts before, it was for the milestone 100th issue.  I believe this is the first time a regular issue led the charts, most likely buoyed by the debut of the TV series for its fifth season and also several hundred thousand copies of the book ordered via Loot Crate.

Marvel again was the top publisher, leading DC by a comfortable margin. DC has two books in the top 10, as The Death of Wolverine weekly series performed well. Batman was DC’ss top book, followed by the pot-scented Harley Quinn annual. Lady Thor #1 also made the top ten, making this a good  month for female led titles.

The first Ms Marvel GN was the top selling book—man can’t wait to see the sales estimates on THAT—and the first Harley Quinn book was #7.Marvel matched DC with four books in the top 10.

Toon Graphics  led the books with the drop-dead gorgeous Hansel & Gretel by Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti.

TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

NEW TITLES SHIPPED

COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS

TOP 10 BOOKS

TOP 10 TOYS

TOP 10 GAMES

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 Not content with celebrating the 100th issue, Image and The Walking Dead are now ramping up for the 10th anniversary of the bleak, flesh eating mega-hit. #115, the 10th anniversary issue, will have a bunch of variant covers by Charlie Adlard, colored by Dave Stewart, that add up to the complete image seen above. It’s a loving tribute to all the wonderful moments of dismemberment, sudden, violent death and unrelieved existential despair—one from each year of the book’s run—that fans of the book have come to love.

In short, it brings a tear to the eye, it does.

THE WALKING DEAD #115 goes on sale on October 9, 2013 and is available for pre-order with local comic book retailers now!

AMC's The Walking Dead continues to be an unstoppable ratings juggernaut — last night's premiere of season 3.5 debuted with even higher ratings than the full season premiere in October:

Tweet With two showrunners in three years making the Walking Dead a revolving door for producers, you might think AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan might have some observations on why that particular job eats ‘em up and spits ‘em out. but no. Instead, he delivers a brilliant demonstration of how to Shut. It. Down. when [...]

Well alright! In a slam bang final episode, THE WALKING DEAD not only left the farm but teased the sadistic jail, and finally introduced the bad-ass Michonne, in a dramatic entry:

And afterwards, on The WAlking Dead, it was announced that former TREME actress Danai Gurira has been cast as the sword wielding zombie slicer.

THR had more on the casting:

In an interview about the finale, Kirkman told The Hollywood Reporter that the series was "transitioning into a new world" where the survivors are "faced with more adversaries, danger and different kinds of threats" and that Michonne is a "big part of that." "She saves Andrea and she's carrying a sword. This is a very strange visual for fans of the show," Kirkman told THR. "Fans of the comic book know all about her and I'm sure are very excited to see her. … I like to think about how the audience that just watches the show takes that. I think that is such a bizarre and jarring image. It really speaks volumes as to what you're going to be seeing in season three."

T-Dog TALKED.

Amazing

As someone noted on twitter, the T-Dog Has A Line drinking game is the most sober game of all time.

On another note if you saw the episode, you know it was a born burner — or as they say in THE WALKING DEAD, a barn shooter. Producer Glen Mazarra has a lengthy exit interview, which is filled with spoilers and other information:

And if the farm’s not safe, will we see the group on the road again in the finale?
Mazzara: I think we’ve told our Shane-Rick-Lori story, and I think we’ve told our farm story. We’re very interested in opening up into new worlds, new characters, new dynamics, and I think Season 3 is going to really, really deliver on all of that. … Season 1 and Season 2 have just been warm-ups. I honestly believe our best episodes are ahead of us. We’re working on Season 3, and I can tell you that each episode is just as dense as the last few episodes. They’re just as good, they’re just as morally challenging, they’re just as exciting, [and] they’re just as surprising. I think we’ve hit our stride.

Even as the success of THE WALKING DEAD across all media has soared—it’s basic cable’s highest rated program—there has always been a bit of a silent partner on the book: co-creator Tony Moore who left the book after six issues. Although credited as co-creator on the series, he’s been noticeably absent from promoting the book or TV series in its recent wild run of success.

And now we know part of the reason why: he’s just filed suit over his share of the profits of the book, profits he claims he has never had an accounting for and which he fraudulently signed away.

In 2005, Moore signed over all rights to The Walking Dead in return for 60% of net profits from the published version, as well as 60% of new profits for another Kirkman project, Brit; and 20 percent of “motion picture net proceeds” for Walking Dead and Brit; and 50% of “motion picture net proceeds” from Battle Pope, another early Kirkman title.

How much could 60% net be? Well, as we’ll be talking about later today, the Walking Dead Compendium alone—which contains all of Moore’s work on the series—made $2,121,546.35 in retail at bookstores alone. The creator’s take on that, given Image’s generous publishing split, could be as much as a third. Although the contract specifies “net profits,” that should still be quite a bit of money. When you throw in the next 15 volumes of Walking Dead trades that continually top all the best seller lists, you see why Moore would want to get his share.

In the complaint Moore claims that he signed away rights to The Walking Dead fraudulently when Kirkman told him the TV series could not proceed with him as co-owner.

But Moore says he hasn’t received much revenue nor any profit statements from Kirkman or his company, despite the success of his projects. “Indeed, they have not issued a single statement or allowed access to their books and records in accordance with the reporting obligations of the agreement,” the complaint alleges.

Moore claims he was told in 2005 by Kirkman that a big TV deal was on the table but “that Kirkman would not be able to complete the deal unless [Moore] assigned all of his interest in the Walking Dead and other works to Kirkman,” according to the complaint. Thinking the deal would fall apart, Moore signed the contract, he says, allowing Kirkman to “swindle” him out of his 50 percent interest in the copyright and never intending to pay him his share of royalties.

Reached by telephone for comment on the suit, Kirkman’s attorney Allen B. Grodsky told Deadline, “It’s pretty ridiculous. Mr. Moore is owed

15 Comments on Tony Moore sues Robert Kirkman over his share of WALKING DEAD money—which could be a LOT, last added: 2/10/2012

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Ken Raining said, on 2/10/2012 9:05:00 AM

I’m sorry, but is it cool to say in an interview that your wife has “an awesome vagina”?

Jim D. said, on 2/10/2012 9:05:00 AM

DJ – I explicitly noted that I am NOT saying what did or did not happen here. Only that an instance of one collaborator willing to screw another is not in itself an argument that creator-owned collaborations don’t or can’t work. If true (this or any other instance), it’s an anecdote that goes in the negative column, that’s all.

Micah said, on 2/10/2012 9:07:00 AM

The guy drew 6 issues. Walking Dead sold 7,000 to 8,000 copies at the time? This sucks.

blacaucasian said, on 2/10/2012 9:11:00 AM

While part of the complaint may be baseless, depending on the specifics of the disputed contract, the fact that he claims that he has asked their accounting to be more transparent and they haven’t been leads me to believe this will end in a settlement more likely than not. It never looks very good when any party refuses to open their accounting books for the other party.

Chris Hero said, on 2/10/2012 9:51:00 AM

This is sad when you remember these guys basically grew up as best friends.

As for the TV show becoming a hit…that’s kinda beside the point. It’s a shitty thing to use friendship as leverage to get someone to sign on to a contract with net profits. Kirkman is a wonderful talent, but I highly doubt he’s shrewd enough in legal matters to dream up this net profit ruse. It’s much more easy to believe some attorney got in his ear and either played Kirkman like a sap or exploited whatever greed he may have.

Marco Polo said, on 2/10/2012 9:55:00 AM

Can someone explain why Kirkman would’ve had to be the sole owner of the rights?

Mr. Gustafson said, on 2/10/2012 10:12:00 AM

Moore has no box to stand on with his claim of being swindled in the initial contract – you’re an adult, probably had a lawyer and never complained about the terms before and it was *2005*, I mean you should really know better (everyone: read MEN OF TOMORROW). It is super shifty that he hasn’t gotten any kind of accounting from Skybound about profits, though, and he probably does have a case there.

I’ve often wondered how their deal worked after Moore left the book… Is anyone else astonished by how much Moore was promised – 60%?! If Kirkman had been honestly sharing profits up to this point one could say he’d swindled himself on that one, if not for the fact that everyone knows the big bucks are in the options.

No, there’s no money in comics, but more appropriately, from the King himself, “Comics will break your heart.”

goggles said, on 2/10/2012 10:39:00 AM

more bitter – alan moore or tony moore?

Travis said, on 2/10/2012 10:45:00 AM

“Can someone explain why Kirkman would’ve had to be the sole owner of the rights?”

It’s actually possible the studio either demanded to have all owners of the property on the same page (and sign a contract stipulating to that) or demanded that one person get all the rights to be able to execute a contract. If Kirkman didn’t own the whole thing, he couldn’t negotiate solely with the studios. If he did execute a contract and Moore retained some percentage stake in the property, Moore could have come in afterwards and nullified the contract or sued them anyways.

It’s kind of plausible that the studio made demands to mitigate their own risk if it looked like a co-owner wasn’t interested in playing ball or otherwise wasn’t part of the process.

However, who knows how it played out. The situation is in and of itself totally plausible though, however that got communicated to the creators.

It’s a tragedy for childhood friends have a falling out over something like this.

Joey Manley said, on 2/10/2012 11:04:00 AM

Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore are two of the most talented guys in comics today. Everybody knows about Kirkman’s awesomeness, but I’ve been in love with Tony Moore’s work, too, since Fear Agent, and have always felt he was under-rated (I think of him as a redneck Moebius).

I just hate this.

And they are both local Kentucky boys!

Gah.

I’m going to be continuing to read & support both of these guys, as creators/artists whose work is awesome, and just hope that wherever the truth is in this dispute, the courts find it out and dispense a fair amount of justice in both directions.

But sad. Very sad.

nWoJeffDW said, on 2/10/2012 11:08:00 AM

Moore’s comments really seem low-class with such crude language.

BobH said, on 2/10/2012 11:12:00 AM

“When you throw in the next 15 volumes of Walking Dead trades that continually top all the best seller lists, you see why Moore would want to get his share.”

It looks like that share only applies to the first six issues (and is pro-rated if those six issues only form part of a book, so for that Compendium he only gets 50% of 12.5% of whatever the “net proceeds” are), so the sales of the following books aren’t relevant. And that first book sells for $10 instead of the $15 the later books, so it’s possible the “net proceeds” for it are minimal.

The Beat said, on 2/10/2012 11:26:00 AM

I have no insider knowledge of this, and know both Kirkman and Moore as good, creative folks. However, of COURSE Moore would sue over any lingering problems he had AFTER the show became a monster hit — which was only a year ago. I don’t think anyone really expected the books to sell as well as they have in the past year.

Comet said, on 2/10/2012 11:28:00 AM

It looks like one of the big issues is that Moore was slated to receive a percentage of the “net” profits. The accounting that publishing houses and movie studios use to determine net profit is so corrupt and arcane that he’ll never see a dime from this deal.

Hell, movies that gross billions like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings are “net money losers” according to Hollywood accounting (hence Peter Jackson suing New Line a while back). That’s why actors and directors get themselves a percentage of the “gross” profit instead.

Snikt Snakt said, on 2/10/2012 12:31:00 PM

“I’m sorry, but is it cool to say in an interview that your wife has “an awesome vagina”?”

Yeah, I’m not quite sure where they came from or why Moore needed us to know that. LoL

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