Posted in: Comics | Tagged: andrew rev, Brian Keene, erik larsen, fanboy rampage, rob liefeld, terrific production llc, youngblood

Fanboy Rampage: Erik Larsen and Brian Keene vs. Terrific Production LLC Over Creator Rights

Published Tue, 27 Aug 2019 11:30:11 -0500

by Jude Terror

Last updated Tue, 27 Aug 2019 13:51:31 -0500

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Two fanboy rampages in one day? Give unto us thy clicks, dear readers!

If you haven't been following the saga of Terrific Production LLC, here's a brief rundown:

Andrew Rev's Terrific Production LLC recently acquired the rights to Youngblood, a matter which Youngblood creator Rob Liefeld was not pleased with, causing Liefeld to drop any involvement with the property and Image to remove all Youngblood comics from digital storefronts. After a lengthy and oddball interview with Bleeding Cool's own Rumourmonger-in-Chief Rich Johnston, Rev joined Twitter and began trolling Liefeld. Since then, Rev has been working to recruit comic book writers and artists to Terrific Production with a series of increasingly bizarre and outrageous tweets.

Now, Terrific has found itself in a war of words with award-winning novelist, comic book writer, and podcast host Brian Keene, though this feud itself spun out of one between Terrific and Image Comics founder Erik Larsen.

#comiccollectors #comicspeculators #ebaycomics YOUNGBLOOD MIGHT BECOME THE FASTEST RISING COLLECTIBLE in 2019-20
3)The more Youngblood fans that hesitate to order YOUNGBLOOD #1 thinking they can buy it in the after market the HIGHER the price the more Fans will scramble to buy it

— Terrific Production LLC "This is the Terrific Age" (@LlcTerrific) August 23, 2019

Without @robertliefeld on board, I have a feeling that no one will care about a fan-fic Youngblood.

— Savage Fincast Podcast (@SavageFincast) August 23, 2019

Agreed. Without Rob's involvement or support Youngblood has no chance. Rob's audience was there for Youngblood because he was doing it. They weren't fans of the property in the abstract.

— Erik Larsen (@ErikJLarsen) August 25, 2019

Why is Batman in 2018- as high as 1992 for special issues of Batman? Why is Youngblood not getting 200K sales under Rob? Rob will be involved. I can't force him. I want his input. I'm going back to awe of Youngblood. We are also going to get new FANS who were not alive in 1992

— Terrific Production LLC "This is the Terrific Age" (@LlcTerrific) August 25, 2019

What comic IS getting 200k sales currently? It's a different market than it was in '92.

— Darren Hupke (@darrenhupke) August 25, 2019

However tiny Terrific Production, LLC owns IP, lots of IP. We are not going to tell you or anyone until we are ready. We did not want to say even to RL- until we were ready in Oct. Any agent will tell you that almost no creator merits final approval rights. 200K is doable for YB

— Terrific Production LLC "This is the Terrific Age" (@LlcTerrific) August 25, 2019

When Cody L White of Comic Watch responded with some sales stats, Larsen pointed out that Terrific's antics are a feature, not a bug.

200k isn't doable for almost ANY property right now lol how many copies are you prepared to print? Look at BOOM right now. They're killing it in terms of small publisher sales with Once and Future. Going into a 5th printing. And it still probably won't break the Top10.

— Cody L White (@CodyLWhite) August 26, 2019

You know what book did 200k last month? None. None books. Despite massive speculation and interest, HoX #1 and PoX #1 didn't hit 200k. Neither did TWD #193. It's just not that kind of market anymore. And that's okay.

— Cody L White (@CodyLWhite) August 26, 2019

You fail to understand—he has no idea what he's doing and that's his advantage! Never mind that Youngblood has launched six times with ever-diminishing numbers—never mind that its creator won't cooperate or endorse it—this time it'll be bigger than everything because—reasons.

— Erik Larsen (@ErikJLarsen) August 26, 2019

Erik, This warning is to help you minimize the amount if damage you are causing. I believe that you are acting in bad faith. I will not warn you again.

— Terrific Production LLC "This is the Terrific Age" (@LlcTerrific) August 26, 2019

This prompted Larsen to respond:

Or what? https://t.co/7WLwiCdToJ

— Erik Larsen (@ErikJLarsen) August 26, 2019

Inspired by this exchange, Keene took to his own Twitter to offer a public service announcement.

If you're unsure why, take five minutes to peruse their Twitter feed, which is a shining and unintentionally hilarious example of not at all how any of this works.

— BrianKeene (@BrianKeene) August 26, 2019

Yeah, I've been watching for weeks but it was that Tweet to @ErikJLarsen that set me off.

— BrianKeene (@BrianKeene) August 27, 2019

Which prompted another series of exchanges between Keene and Terrific which we'll present uninterrupted for your pleasure.

I think Brian because you are rich a long time you forget that writers want to write – am i wrong?

Even they received zero money as long as the assignment made them more skilled and made them happy they gain.

But we do pay writers and we look for incredible talents.

— Terrific Production LLC "This is the Terrific Age" (@LlcTerrific) August 27, 2019

So, to clarify, you are in fact ripping creators off and taking advantage of new writers and artists. Good to know. Your much vaunted "Terrific Age" sounds more like a "Terrible Idea".

— BrianKeene (@BrianKeene) August 27, 2019

We are happy to distribute any advice except that Terrific Production is inherently bad unless you DM what is the issue. We think our approach is right but Brian we do reflect on what we do.

As long as your concern is not about a buddy but new writers – Lets discuss.

— Terrific Production LLC "This is the Terrific Age" (@LlcTerrific) August 27, 2019

No thanks. I don't think there's anything to discuss. Your own Tweets have made your business acumen, your understanding of the marketplace, and the value you place on creators abundantly clear. And none of it sounds at all Terrific.

— BrianKeene (@BrianKeene) August 27, 2019

Brian, u have many readers who like u so let me not stoop to your lower level

— Terrific Production LLC "This is the Terrific Age" (@LlcTerrific) August 27, 2019

Yep. My Totally Terrific Legion* (trademark pending) of readers are totally terrific!

— BrianKeene (@BrianKeene) August 27, 2019

I asked DC's top brass and they said they dont have the budget. IF you make it for the new writers we would love your help ( w/stipend).

Why not help writers- but dare I say it !
DONT JUDGE A COMPANY WITH OUT GETTING THE FACTS FROM THE HORSES MOUTH.

— Terrific Production LLC "This is the Terrific Age" (@LlcTerrific) August 27, 2019

But that's the problem. Creators keep asking you (you're the "horse" in this scenario) for facts and you respond with disparaging @ErikJLarsen and @robertliefeld or bizarre self-helpisms like some fourth rate schizophrenic Tony Robbins.

— BrianKeene (@BrianKeene) August 27, 2019

Yes, if you wish to write books as a new writer just about any publisher is better today. Brian, why dont we talk where you can mentor these new writers. If you care so much then help ( we will pay you ).

We get plenty of finger pointers but none willing to help young writers

— Terrific Production LLC "This is the Terrific Age" (@LlcTerrific) August 27, 2019

I mentor more new writers than you have capital letters in your Tweets, dude.

— BrianKeene (@BrianKeene) August 27, 2019

Brian, Did you have a traumatic experience with a new company that you want to caution others.

I am glad that you stated this caution cause I agree with you to the extent you should ask questions.

But Brian the advice to be happy or be your best or not be bullied is FREE -OK

— Terrific Production LLC "This is the Terrific Age" (@LlcTerrific) August 27, 2019

1. Yes, your Twitter feed is a terrifically traumatic experience for many.

2. I'm glad you agree we should ask questions. Therefore – why do you refuse to make your submission guidelines public? What is your page rate? What rights are you asking for?

— BrianKeene (@BrianKeene) August 27, 2019

The saga, as always, continues.

Fanboy Rampage was a blog by Graeme "Graham" McMillan dedicated to the funniest, most ludicrous and most inappropriate comic book back-and-forths online. McMillan has moved on now, becoming a proper journalist for the likes of The Hollywood Reporter and Wired but he gave permission to Bleeding Cool to revive his great creation.