How did a broke comic shop clerk build a billion dollar empire?

Robert Kirkman was dead broke. Then he changed the entire entertainment industry.
Links and Reading Guide
The cheapest way to read Invincible and the Walking Dead is usually the compendiums. They are all linked here:
Invincible 1: amzn.to/461obnv
Invincible 2: amzn.to/44WfuJW
Invincible 3: amzn.to/3LsNXZt
Walking Dead 1: amzn.to/3talEsv
Walking Dead 2: amzn.to/44ZZzu3
Walking Dead 3: amzn.to/4516xPx
Walking Dead 4: amzn.to/3RN318D
If you prefer trades and hardcovers, here are the links for those as well.
Invincible TPB 1: amzn.to/48mCMvn
Walking Dead TPB 1: amzn.to/48oQNIP
Invincible HC 1: amzn.to/3PqhbcP
Walking Dead HC 1: amzn.to/3PtC1rB
If I did my job, you now also want to read Savage Dragon. They have been collected cheaply in Black and White
Savage Dragon 1: amzn.to/46fljmA
Savage Dragon 2: amzn.to/3ELqrDg
Savage Dragon 3: amzn.to/3EMibD5
(10 volumes in print so far, thru issue 250)
Also, Spawn: amzn.to/3LyWtGC
Other Image books (probably should be its own video):
Chew: amzn.to/3ZqjgtO
Deadly Class: amzn.to/3sUhHrR
East of West: amzn.to/3Pv4FJa
Monstress: amzn.to/3EOVVZg
Prophet: amzn.to/3RvjcqX
Saga: amzn.to/45Z12Ck
Stray Bullets: amzn.to/3t2NW8t
Nailbiter: amzn.to/3RqeL0t
Descender: amzn.to/3PzCjh0
(As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Sources & Further Reading
Robert Kirkman Interviews:
www.wtfpod.com/...
• The Walking Dead's Rob...
podcast.roblie...
id10t.com/podc... (Trickery & Deceit)
• The Robert Kirkman (Wa...
• Robert Kirkman Discuss...
screenrant.com...
www.polygon.co...
web.archive.or...
• Creating Invincible Wi...
Tony Moore Interviews:
• Welcome To Zombie Coun...
• Tony Moore (Cynthiana,...
Charlie Adlard Interviews (most of this got cut):
• The Art of The Walking...
• Charlie Adlard: The Wa...
The Kirkman Manifesto:
www.cbr.com/ba...
www.cbr.com/ye...
wordballoon.blo... (the original manifesto video is gone, but the audio survives here)
Frank Darabont:
web.archive.or...
TWD TV Show:
www.hollywoodr...
Lawsuits:
www.vice.com/e...
www.hollywoodr...
www.hollywoodr...
www.hollywoodr...
www.hollywoodr...
Photos/Image Credits
Photos of Robert Kirkman & Todd McFarlane, including thumbnail photo, are copyright Gage Skidmore
commons.wikime...
commons.wikime...
www.flickr.com...
commons.wikime...
www.flickr.com...
commons.wikime...
Photos of Robert Kirkman, Jim Valentino, Brian K Vaughn, Ryan Ottley & Gale Anne Hurd are copyright Luigi Novi
en.wikipedia.o...
en.wikipedia.o...
commons.wikime...
en.wikipedia.o...
Photo of Cory Walker copyright Niccolò Caranti
en.wikipedia.o...
Spider-Man Sketch Credit: www.flickr.com...
Wolverine Sketch Credit: www.flickr.com...

[@mattwith4ts]

I'm curious to hear from you guys: how do you feel about the Kirkman Manifesto? The idea that creators should stop working for DC and Marvel and go creator-owned. Is that realistic or is Kirkman off his rocker?

[@HorseheadsProduction]

I actually 100% agree with him. I do believe creators should have ownership over what they create but I think an issue that Kirkman ignores is that the audience who buys comics mostly just buy from the big two. It is changing slightly but it’s still an issue of the audiences still being stuck in its old ways.

[@Antwannnn]

It's very realistic. And with the output DC and Marvel have been making in recent years...audiences are craving for new stories told by someone else. Umbrella Academy, Invincible, The Boys, Kick Ass, Hellboy (not the recent one lol), Spawn, The Walking Dead, TMNT, etc. are all evidence of how you don't have to be the big 2 to work and grab people. There'll be a lot of shit comics and dead businesses with the influx but I think it's the risk the artists and writers have to take.

[@Antwannnn]

I also think marvel, dc, dark horse, or who ever else should invest in motion comics. It's no secret the comic industry has gone down while the adaptations have been wildly successful. People aren't reading comics. But there's this niche on KZbin explaining comics and having Ai/actors act the lines of the characters and so on. Some of these videos have MILLIONS of views. I don't think that should be glossed over.

[@jetblackangelX]

It can be a financial risk, but in the long term, it can work out if the content is well received. The biggest issue that Marvel and DC have that Image or manga in general don't have is progression and continuity. The stories reach an eventual conclusion with one writer, two at most, and everything isn't reset after a big event to keep the status quo

[@Chrishansen01]

You’ve got to do a Spawn video

[@burnhislope6379]

In 2006 the company I worked for installed windows in Robert Kirkmans house. He was really cool. Most people won't even offer you a glass of water when you are working in their home. He bought us pizza and gave us signed copies of Walking Dead, Invincible and Tech Jacket.

[@luckyasmr1374]

Dude that’s so awesome!!!! That’s such a great story!

[@SicSemperBeats]

That’s really cool lol

[@mysteryneophyte]

Lucky, damn dude my job sucks

[@todo5183]

Please tell me you still have them. That's so badass

[@ObsessedCollector]

Wow!!! He is a great guy

[@TetsuShima]

I wish they make an official animated adaptation of "The Walking Dead" comics, considering how greatly the tv show differs from Kirkman's work. I know there is the audiobook adaptation, but a full animated version would be the SH*T

[@R3TR0J4N]

wait they havent!?? wild, id be great for the franchise since the series has a long credibility as the games in media is

[@EggPlanet492]

It’s a separate story, but Telltale’s Walking Dead series (at least the first season) felt MUCH more in-line with the pacing and vibe of the original comics, def worth checking out if you haven’t

[@jovanbijelic4345]

And they should make it 100% accurate to the comics. No darly dixon, nothing like that

[@EthanWestmo]

Maybe TWD could get the Scott Pilgrim treatment

[@TetsuShima]

​@@jovanbijelic4345 Pretty curious how Daryl, the most beloved and popular character, doesn't exist AT ALL in the comics

[@AdamSMessinger]

This video felt like it was telling a MUCH larger story and then abruptly finished right as it made its first point. I'd love to see a follow up on how this type of behavior also led to a lawsuit from Bill Crabtree, who colored the first 50 issues of Invincible and had ownership stake in the series at one point.

[@ReyRakolta-fh4cv]

Like a Comic Book Next Issue

[@andrewsteadman728]

The Frank Darabont lawsuit/judgment also merits its own episode

[@bzdirt]

Same here! For someone who hasn't followed the drama, I had a hard time finding the never-ending lies and fraud. I mean, okay, he lied about alien invasion so he could get his comic published. And what else? He says tony Moore did work-for-hire? Not clear if it is true or not. ..I'm probably missing something but it looks far from his whole success being built on .

[@deathsee]

yeah, seems like a stealing lying manipulator, and let us not forget, he seemed to be ok when they TV Series Really went off Comic more then once. I mean, bigtime in some cases

[@snafu4405]

That's so true, I remember thinking... hey man, they're fucking up your baby here and you seem totally fine with it. As an aspiring Indie comic who has been massively influenced by TWD and Invincible this video hits hard. @@deathsee

[@bagoftrix]

From what I got, Darabont wanted to do limited episodes like season one, with big budget moments. AMC wanted to milk this cash cow by actually lowering the budget and drag out the seasons and story. It seemed Darabont wanted to maintain the quality, and AMC wanted quantity. What’s confusing that the show differs greatly from the comic AFTER Darabonts exit so I can’t see Darabont being the one to change it all up after a extremely faithful season one…

[@bonejuice4280]

Yes I agree the show definitely dipped after his departure and they killed off the Lori actress early because she was outspoken about his removal. And honestly it’s sad because it could have been been as grand as the hight of GoT

[@thetimkazakh.624]

​@bonejuice4280 not sure that it was too early. In comic, Lorie dies during Governor attack, not long enough after Judy's birth, by being brutally shot in the stomach while running with Judith on her arms (she dies too btw). May be she would've been killed off in the first half of season 4 with T-dog, Merle, Hershel and others.

[@SWAHswah-tm7sn]

​@@thetimkazakh.624she would have been in the series for almost an entire extra season if she stuck around until she was supposed to die when they flee the prison so definitely a bit earlier than she would have otherwise.

[@idiot_city5444]

Well, they definitely milked it

[@DanielPestanaTranslations]

For me personally, it ended when Rick Grimes left. It was such a fulfilling episode, I stopped watching and haven’t watched it ever since. And I do agree, that after Darabont left, the same quality we had on the first episodes of season 1, went downhill, and yet, I couldn’t stop watching.

[@EricRatcliffeNewcomicday]

My biggest issue with what Kirkman has become is that he basically made himself the biggest hypocrite in the universe by having the Skybound contracts explicit state and share ownership between the creators and the publisher, the very thing he left the big two because of.

[@Boomie_365]

Kirkman's a great writer and all, but to me he comes across as less wanting to help the medium grow and change through creator-owned work, and more that he wants to become Mr Comics. It's a fantastic issue, but I really do think publishing Transformers - a comic Skybound owns and a property Hasbro owns alongside setting it in the same universe as Void Rivals, which Kirkman fully owns and building that up as a brand through association, is a great example. Kirkman's practicing these exact business practices, whilst also using them to promote things he owns and therefore profits ontop of. I dunno, it's just a bit shitty - high quality of the comics aside

[@mr.doctorcaptain1124]

How is that hypocritical exactly? If you want to make it as a solo creator, you have to take a massive risk, like Kirkman did. Why should he then be responsible for footing the bill for others to come and create for him, and then let them also keep the rights to their creation as well? I’ve never really understood this particular issue. If you hire a writer to write a TV series for you, they don’t get the rights to the show and everything in it, because you’re taking literally zero risk by working for a big company. They pay you to work for them, they pay you regardless of if your creation is a colossal success, or a massive failure. The company takes 100% of the risk, so they retain the rights as well. Why should Kirkman foot the bill for upcoming creators, take all of the risk, and let them keep all of the profits?

[@nicolas._.2294]

Everyone is a hypocrite It just comes with being human:)

[@vandalg282]

He's also a solo creator, you have to be shrewd in a business that will inevitable fuc you, like it did GRRM, Rowling, etc. Make sure you get paid, and keep getting paid, while creating excellent work. None of you on here are above that.

[@8ball279]

@@vandalg282GRRM is a multi millionaire and executive producer of 2 shows with more on the table. He in no way has gotten screwed over.

[@charles7164]

I remember reading the "shock" moment in Invincible. I was lucky that nobody spoiled it. I had it in my pull list, I remember liking it because it was cozy it reminded me of a modern Peter Parker. I just couldn't believe that moment. Been reading since the late 70's and it's hard to find something that shocked you like this series did.

[@youssefwael4639]

is the "shock" moments the same in the first episode of invincible tv show?

[@charles7164]

@@youssefwael4639 the dad "secret"

[@aaronnilestoussaint5672]

Then as the series went on it got worse

[@apoclypse]

@@aaronnilestoussaint5672 Reminds me Season 2 upcoming.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@aaronnilestoussaint5672 lol what? Just no, the series got BETTER as the series got on, it didn’t get “wOrsE” AT ALL here in the slightest. Stop with your nonsense.

[@austinmcconnell]

This is my favorite channel that I've watched this past year. Keep up the great work!

[@Tekkenandgaming]

Exactly. This guy and YOU are 2 of my favorite! Keep up the great work as always Austin, can’t wait for that cinematic universe you’re working on.

[@thatgoshdarnrat]

Fancy seeing you here 😂

[@kunider9714]

You should get Nebula to add Mattt to their roster. They need more comics stuff. You're doing your part, but you know that's not enough

[@DanDan-vu5tb]

Oh hello Austin

[@joshuacarrig9370]

Same, this has been such an amazing find and Ive never seen a KZbin Channel with ONLY quality and depth.

[@Goblin_deez.]

Your uploads aren’t always as frequent as other comic channels but the quality and depth is off the charts and you always manage to hit us with the most obscure and unknown content. We can tell you’ve spent time on your videos and really threw yourself into them. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

[@mc1993]

This channel is the very example of quality over quantity.

[@eli3998]

I dunno if kirkman is exactly obscure, but mattt really is just an impeccable storyteller that really fleshes out the details in each plot that he unravels, plus some smooth editing as a big ole cherry on top and just generally amazing presentation

[@nsn3715]

Could you please recommend other comic channels

[@Goblin_deez.]

@@nsn3715 I personally enjoy Mullet-man comics, Comic Drake, Danco comics and Casually Comics in that order. They each have their different style and topics but I like mullet-man best for his shorter and easy to consume videos though he mostly does comic breakdowns.

[@askredditstudios8055]

Romans 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.11

[@dorf7219]

really funny that he decided to not work at amazon, and later invincible is a prime exlusive

[@zxt5148]

After watching the first season, I bought the entire Invincible library and read it through in a few days. He really is an incredible storyteller. And unlike other deconstructions of the genre (the boys, watchmen) it's not overtly cynical, and actually loves the comic tropes it deconstructs, and takes the time to put that deconstruction back together.

[@kagakai7729]

It's a _reconstruction._ It introduced comic book idealism to a more gritty, grounded story and shows that heroism still has a place in a flawed world

[@zxt5148]

@@kagakai7729 You're absolutely right, thanks for the correction!

[@godzillazfriction]

​@@zxt5148so The Boys doesn't 'love' the tropes that it reconstructs or deconstructs... i swear both of you especially the other Drones don't know what you're even on about...

[@godzillazfriction]

​@@kagakai7729also you can't determine and actually abide the concept of 'Heroes' and 'Villains' in actuality...

[@zxt5148]

@@godzillazfriction I specifically said it doesnt love them, because the author specifically said he hated comic book tropes. I swear you don't know what you're even on about...

[@leighwalton1608]

One story not mentioned here: at SDCC 2006 when his star was really on the rise, Kirkman attended the Todd McFarlane Productions panel as an audience member, and during the Q&A he asked McFarlane if he planned to create any new comics, since he hadn't in many years (which was true - at that point, McFarlane was only in industry news for his toy company and for a messy legal battle with Neil Gaiman and Miracleman). McFarlane didn't recognize him and responded that creating an iconic character like Mickey Mouse was enough, he didn't need to make Donald Duck and Goofy too. Kirkman persisted, and one of the other panelists informed McFarlane that this was the writer of "that Walking Dead comic you like." Eventually Kirkman straight-up challenged McFarlane to collaborate with him on a comic, and McFarlane directed him to talk to editor Brian Holguin. Ending the conversation, McFarlane said "and thanks for making money for Image," to which Kirkman retorted "someone has to." I remember people buzzing about this moment - it was a remarkably confrontational stunt in an industry usually built on shy politeness, but it also tapped into a widespread perception that McFarlane had turned his back on comics and that some of the Image founders had turned from artist-owners into just owners, coasting on their past success and exploiting other artists. Maybe they made him a partner partly because they realized he was right. But of course, as your video points out, Kirkman himself was not immune from that same process.

[@attn.]

Thanks for the add, was a interesting read.

[@smoyao93]

Yes! I was there, I was 13 and the first time Ive been at comic con, it was a bit uncomfortable at the moment because it felt, as a polite confrontation/challenge but Todd handled it really well, I didnt think it would actually materialize into something, it looked like just something he would agree to in the moment to get it over with.

[@Shendue]

I've met Kirkman at a meet & greet a couple times. He was rather rude until he saw I bought an original panel from Ryan Ottley. Another time I tried to chat a little explaining how comic books get printed and published in my country, not as single slim booklets but coupling a major title with "minor" stories in the same book, and tried to explain I think it's cool because it allows for "lesser stories" to be read as well, and he cut me short and said "yeah, it's free shit". Doesn't nececessarily mean he's a bad person, but he certainly is pretty blunt.

[@HermannTheGreat]

@@Shendue Having to deal with the comic fandom who attend these shows would probably make many a person become irritable.

[@publiusventidiusbassus1232]

@@HermannTheGreat Being the annoying fan chasing after his heroes is what got him into the industry, he should be more humble and show deference to the people that now see him as theirs. Why even make meet & greets if you don't like talking to people? He's not a starving artist following conventions for pennies.

[@bretts8070]

I'd love a McFarlane episode! He's such a firebrand, and I have tons of respect for his acumen, and yes, even though he has his flaws. I think that's what makes him so compelling to me. We've seen his bad side reflected in stories, from his understandable hatred of Marvel to his legal battle with Neil Gaiman. There's enough to do more than one McFarlane mini-docu, so I hope you don't feel the need to cram everything into one! This is an excellent channel, btw, everything you've produced has been an absolute joy to watch and even rewatch.

[@dwintster]

A McFarlane episode would definitely be awesome.

[@Michael-tn9wp]

Can we talk less about McFarlane? He gets plenty of press and accolades already, boring.

[@stevewibble7467]

He did one. It’s splendid. Do The Boys! If you haven’t already…

[@POPToppins]

​@@Michael-tn9wpcope

[@ElMalito187]

Fun fact: Robert Kirkman authored Marvel Zombies Dead Days and the limited 5 issues of Marvel Zombies and had creative input for Marvel Zombies vs Army of Darkness.

[@jdubbs8242]

I met Robert (and his artist and "friend" Tony Moore) a few times when he was making Battle Pope for Funk-O-Tron (self publishing basically) and he was clearly someone without well developed social skills or a strong ethical compass. He came off as being pretty abrasive and I actually remember thinking that Tony better have some sort of contractual agreement giving him rights to what he created with Robert or he was going to get royally screwed (and he did get screwed) because Robert was exactly the kind of writer who thinks their co-creating artist "just draws the pictures", etc.

[@pegcity4eva]

Unfortunately people don't get to be billionaires by not being horrible people in most cases.

[@peepo1460]

Tony had rights. He signed them away because he didn't truly believe in Walking Dead.

[@jdubbs8242]

@@peepo1460 My understanding is that Tony had rights to the print version but zero rights to the TV show. If he signed any rights away well... guess thats on him.

[@erikwirfs-brock2432]

The fact that he takes the media rights of the comics he publishes shows he's not extending the ladder to help people up who are following after him in the industry, not someone to look up to really (and a lot of his most recent stuff feels pretty calculated/souless)

[@NickGuy0320]

Ive never heard a good story about kirkman from anyone who worked with him in the early days. Sad

[@sdot7117]

It’s so cringe when someone sells their stake in a business, that business further succeeds without them, and then they come back demanding more money. Smh

[@VivariumWasHere]

At Least he earns more money than you.

[@tachytack]

@@VivariumWasHere you're so salty lmao

[@kinocorner976]

@@VivariumWasHereImagine shilling for someone who doesn’t care about you? Pedestal syndrome much?

[@warlordofbritannia]

Walter White energy in the worst possible way

[@jin_cotl]

Yeah fr like he sold them already, it’s not his anymore but he demand more money anyway.

[@RjGoombes]

God PLEASE give us a Todd McFarlane video. I dont even really read comics but i love the way you tell these stories.

[@williampearson6299]

Short answer: nerds don't have families to waste money on

[@RjGoombes]

@williampearson6299 this has nothing to do with my comment but ok

[@KamauMshale]

I also would really like a Todd McFarlane video

[@sitoudien9816]

There are many good interviews with Todd. The best recent video is by Tim Ferriss. It's 4+ hours long.

[@Superior_Design]

Mattt, as someone who’s been working on publishing their own comic, this video was just what I needed and was such a MASSIVE inspiration! I learned so many great tips and lessons from this video! Thanks dude! Keep it up!!

[@Count_Load]

I hope you make it, man.

[@matthewavalos9409]

Have faith and work hard 👍

[@jerbear7952]

Work hard and keep your finances healthy. This guy made a ton of bad decisions and was fortunate.

[@Superior_Design]

@@jerbear7952 Yup! Will do! Thank you!

[@theblockchainbastard9117]

whats it about?

[@ArcanNight]

As an aspiring indie comic artist, stories like these always inspire me to continue on with my passion and to hope that I can also contribute something to the medium. Thanks for these!

[@DoodleBricks]

I love hearing the stories and nuances behind the people who’ve created such iconic stories. One thing I really appreciate is how you don’t portray one person as “the bad guy” and the other “the good guy” you just state what happened and the decisions they made. You’re honest about the fact that these people have done amazing things, but have also made some shitty decisions along the way. You leave it up to us to decide how we feel about it and I really like that.

[@ed--209]

what I love about Kirkman is that every comic he writes is a book that most comicbook nerds have dreamed about, and he does them well

[@jacquestube]

LOL that's awful strong language to say that people are dreaming about these things

[@Patch.of.clover]

@@jacquestubeNot strong at all. Creatives are constantly dreaming of fantastical things that they wish they could see out onto the page. Growing up as a nerdy kid obsessed with mythology and fantasy, I came up with countless concepts for stories of gods and magic and barbarians. And as I got older, that spread to stories of people surviving a world of ghouls and alien invasions. This isn’t hardly strong language.

[@jacquestube]

@@Patch.of.clover you haven't contradicted me, I guess I would say that the dudes post is overly romantic. If that makes you feel better. It reminds me of when young people say you wish when you say something like hey I heard something happen and they go oh you wish. I said well why would I wish that?

[@Patch.of.clover]

@@jacquestube Firstly, please learn to use quotes, that final sentence was very painful to parse without knowing something was being quoted. Furthermore, I fail to see the correlation between the discussion and the final sentence. He wasn’t being “overly romantic” he was simply being romantic. He was expressing his deep passion for this topic, one that is shared among many others. Your comment was made with no greater intent than to undermine that passion, for what reason? You may not feel as though you’ve committed some grave slight, but nevertheless, you bear witness to someone feeling strongly about something and then assume it is now your place to suggest that their passion is misplaced? That others don’t feel as strongly as they do? Does that bring you pleasure?

[@jacquestube]

@@Patch.of.clover you're definitely a woman

[@rogueguardian]

I really hope one day, Rob And Tony can mend their friendship 😢. Don't get me wrong his "never give up" attitude is inspiring but loosing a long time friend? That's gotta be rough.

[@KamauMshale]

they were sooooo close, its really heart breaking to see that. Kirkman been a dick, toney far as i've ever seen was a really nice guy. damn to have a good friend do that.... i can't imagine.

[@fatbastard51]

lol william crabtree one of the artist for invincible is suing kirkman for being deceptive.

[@Zyllo5164]

Rule #1 Don't be business partners with your friends or your significant other. It never ends well.

[@sunnydennison3302]

Nah, b/c that guy would have sabotaged him. If you look at TMNT history they had to hire an illustrator to have something out monthly That friend not sure if he worked to his best ability, but he was just unrealistic with doing a Meh do 6 a yr thing. Comics are going downhill b/c artists don't wanna work enough or realize their is more money with just designing covers, so sales have gone downhill. Meh...

[@Cozza69]

@@Zyllo5164noted

[@ConfusedNero]

I would love to see a part 2 of the story. I feel like the end left things kinda incomplete. Especially considering the inevitable fall of the tv show. Apart from that, great video dude and i'm glad you are back.

[@cngotham4111]

I mean it lost numbers but it most definitely didn't fail even in current day walking dead still makes money. Amc will squeeze as much profit as possible lol

[@lucianganea3034]

Also, Moore returned to make a variant cover for TWD #150

[@jackhovatter]

They are running 2 spin offs right now.

[@Magdalena8008s]

Yeah, ratings may of fell. But still damn good. Good enough to warrant 2 spin-off currently airing and another one coming. Like, AMC is still happy.

[@rami3164]

He also forgot the later success of invincible

[@nickkruysifix]

Another fantastic addition to the catalogue. You genuinely are making some of the most captivating videos on KZbin lately. Awesome stuff so far, and good wishes on taking this thing full time!

[@martinsmartians]

You beat me to it. 😁

[@1997jonathan12]

Too true! We need that Macfarlane ep😅cant wait

[@Warhammer_lover]

Funny, that a guy made a manifesto, and then some time later, ran to write the worst (at the time) Spider-Man run.

[@jacquestube]

I have nothing against the man but I used to get so annoyed by how delayed Invincible was

[@el_eddy4307]

Hearing his story every once in a while restores my confidence in my comic. I really hope Image decides to take a chance on me

[@rami3164]

Comic?

[@el_eddy4307]

@@rami3164 The Unknown! Still published anywhere, I’ve honestly kinda given up on entirely going to Image. I’m planing to post a bunch of stuff on a instagram account I made and if I end up building a community I’ll just upload my stories on Web toons or somewhere accessible for free. Doing everything by myself!

[@L6Sadi]

A video about the history of Todd McFarlane or the works of Sam Kieth would be great, it would be part of Image Comics history at the same time. I'm loving your channel.

[@mannya.h.967]

PLEASE

[@lecomingbegend497]

You need all teh likes!

[@steverogers6836]

This deep dive into Sam Keith is great: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGSwl5R3qptgibssi=kwISUr96PEvmOPY1

[@ryangarcia3729]

Invincible is one of the best series I have ever read. I absolutely love it. Great video, as always!

[@shiggydiggy8308]

To summarize: 1. Be a decent comic writer(not hard when you learn the cold truth that most comics are ass) 2. Be good to your fanbase 3. Don't lose your cool at the pitch meeting 4. Be a team player in the complicated unforgiving game of production 5. Profit

[@oscarchavezart]

I think the fourth success rule should be: Don't let your ego, ambition and pride drive you to destroy friendships. Yes, one can end friendships badly, and gain new friends, but if all you leave are badly ended friendships, it will catch up, and then, no one will wan't to work with you, or help you because everyone now knows.

[@NR-ff9jw]

Kirkman participated in the system; compromising morality and respect for success. He got to show what could be done as a Creator, but at the cost of a lot

[@gubbothehuggo2771]

I swear, the comic industry is the Roman Empire of entertainment. In both the highs and lows there is just so much drama and bloodshed and betrayal and catastrophe. Hollywood is pretty much the same though I guess.

[@davidv1376]

After reading and loving Tech Jacket as a kid I started reading everything Kirkman did, it was amazing to see Invincible and the Walking Dead blow up like they did

[@peacemaster8117]

I was like "Wait.. the Battle Pope guy???"

[@maxmorgan3370]

I have to agree with a couple pther comments, this video ended right as it was getting into the meat of things. The video was incredibly interesting qnd you had me hooked following the timeline of events, but when there were only a few minutes left I could see where the story was gonna stop here. I feel like there's so much more to be told about Kirkman and his deceit, and I'd love a followup video!

[@Audioynuyor]

I don't remember if I have commented about your channel before Matt, but it is pretty obvious that you are very skilled on creating these types of videos. They are very well done and the narrative is always gripping. I find myself enjoying them a lot. I would guess that you work/worked on these mediums before. I would really enjoy a McFarlane episode. As for Kirkman, I believe he really bet on his vision at every opportunity and won every time. Even the Haunt comic covers looked really interesting to me, and I had never heard of it (though that is McFarlane more than him). He seems more humble and aware than a trickster or a fraud, and the response he gave to that question mirrors it: He is not boasting, just making a joke at his own expense. But the manifesto comes across as naive. You can reach a very wide audience today, but you cannot do it without an organised company if you want a physical medium as opposed to a digital one. Some people just want to draw and not be bothered by the logistic or financial aspect.

[@MacConman]

Absolutely the best comic channel on KZbin, you do such a great job telling the narrative of the industry while simultaneously being fair and balanced to everyone involved. Looking forward to the issue by issue recap of entirety of Spawn, deadline is in one week.

[@blasegg2396]

I'm not a huge comic fan. I've never read any of the stories mentioned in this video or even seen their adaptations. Despite that I'm enthralled by your content each time a video drops! Great work again!

[@Timbashore]

You should get a compendium of invincible or walking dad You will get hooked there great

[@tomtommerson6320]

You're really good at presenting these small yet detailed stories of the industry. I get excited when I see your vids pop up in my feed. Easily becoming one of my favorite creators to look forward to

[@sherwintavarez8539]

The integrity (and manipulation lol) of Robert Kirkman and the way he was portrayed in this video was really inspiring to me as an aspiring musician. Dude literally did everything he could to write in his own way, acknowledging his natural ability and getting past his ability to not illustrate while being very stern about his vision and ideologies towards big businesses is very Punk Rock. Very hopeful to me personally as a musician

[@yoshivu8236]

I've been a fan of his work, and it's an honor to have had the opportunity to contribute to them.

[@easytoremember8613]

You know it's a good day when matt uploaded new video

[@thebrewcrewmate5007]

FACTS!!!

[@SEXlSDEATH]

My day got so Much Wroser After Reading this Thanks

[@887frodo]

Imagine helping out a brother left behind to rot in his hometown and have him turn out to be the real life monopoly guy who will sack you the moment his thirst for success becomes greater than your friendship… rough

[@Vesdus]

He didn't sack him. He bought him out, amicably and legally, with lawyers present, and replaced him. Buddy was just butthurt afterwards that he wasn't sucking down that sweet sweet AMC money that he never earned because he wasn't able to ink one comic a month.

[@jamesm2550]

​​@Vesdus Bingo. Fact that the guy wouldn't even TRY to push himself and ink one, not multiple comics, but ONE comic a month tells you where a lot of the problem comes from. Someone didn't understand their obligations to the business side of things.

[@S3rkist]

@@jamesm2550the job of an artist is much harder than you think, depending on what is demanded by the story and writer, things can get hectic with multiple redrawings.

[@S3rkist]

Finding an artist for your story is hard, and rightfully so. The artist have to work so much more compared to the writer and have when the book is does well, the artist gets the short end of the stick.

[@jamesm2550]

@@S3rkist So he found someone who was willing to actually TRY to push himself and meet a deadline. Perfectionism is often an excuse for procrastination. I get that it isn't easy but many artists, if not the VAST MAJORITY of artists, are drama queens. Also, he had an obligation to the business of comics. Not meeting deadlines really screws things up for that pesky thing called profit. Which is what allows you to keep making comics.

[@patrickowens4294]

World-class content again. Although I've been a fan of Invincible for many years, I just realized I knew very little about Kirkman himself.

[@redhorse6652]

The Zombie craze can be traced back to the movie White Zombie, with Bela Lugosi. Zombies being a creation of Black Haitian African beliefs. Another was the 1950s comic company EC of William Gains. EC was cancelled by the United States Congress for indecency in 1956. EC started the realistic tone of the later graphic novels. And Zombies. All the Image comics guys read the EC reprints.

[@phoenixwhiler943]

Kirkman explained in one of the invincible comics that TWD is black and white to keep costs down and most of his success was on invincible. If invincible failed he’d probably be done with comics

[@MirrorSurfer]

Thank you Matt for covering one of my all time favorite writers. This filled me with a mixed bag of emotions. Doing a video on Matt Kindt, Rodney Barnes, or Michael J. Straczynski would be super cool to watch.

[@theconqueringram5295]

Thanks for not revealing how the plot twist was revealed in the Invincible comic. I saw the show, but I am reading the paperbacks to see how it happens in the comic. This was a very good story about Kirkman's work. I love stories about self-made creatives.

[@TRUTHANDCONSEQUENCESWILLNEVER]

I often side with the aggravated in these situations as they are usually in the right but here I think Kirkman is in the right. They had a creative disagreement and then they split on their own terms, there was no theft. He has no recourse to now all of a sudden re-claim Walking Dead due to it's success only after he left. It's not like Kirkman hides the history that he co-created it with this guy, but the current success of the comic is much more the work of Kirkman than his co-creator, the success is in part owed to it's release schedule for instance. -- From the sounds of it, Kirkman is a guy who has banged his head into the wall of comics until it broke, and that I really respect as well. It's nice to hear a success story which is preceded by an enormous amount of failure. Great video, matttt.

[@Cl0ckcl0ck]

Forever is a long time. Relationships can be mended but business success is gone when the chance is missed. I'm sure once More realizes that he made out much better than if the Walking Dead had just stayed a niche comic that he'll see things in a new light. Kirkman is the only one who made it a huge success through the same methods he's currently salty about.

[@Xris_Kinder]

Your content has an incredibly positive impact on my quality of life. Watching your videos inspires me to make more free time for reading the books on my backlog. This is a semi related anecdote: I was able to become a comic book fan because of a wonderful high-school English teacher who had a free library of graphic novels on a shelf in his classroom. He wasn't even ever officially one of my teachers, but I was still allowed to read through his whole collection. What mattered most to him was inspiring someone's desire to read and learn. He unfortunately passed away a few years ago, only in his late 30s. But the legacy he left with the students he interacted with lives on forever. I know he would have loved your content just as much as I do. More so; he'd be grateful to you for the service you provide the world through education and inspiring people to read more comics. So thank you for continuing to produce these videos.

[@1nePercentJuice]

The artwork on TWD looked SO good in those first issues. It went from excellent to a bit better than passable. It served its purpose but it was inferior in every way.

[@sanildefanso]

If you are taking requests for videos, I would love one on Herge and Tintin. Such a fascinating creator, filled with contradictions. But what a comic series! Still my favorite comics to this day.

[@gijane2cantwaittoseeyou203]

Herge was a nazi. It is better he stays in the trash can of history

[@alessandrogibogini3526]

I didn't know that Invincible was actually older than The Walking Dead, I've been fooled by the spotlight and general attention that the Amazon series bring so I thought that was a series of the last 2-3 years. Top content as always by the way

[@stereotrofia8950]

I discoverd your channel a few days ago and I already consider it a big inspiration. You tell stories about people who sacrificed so much to follow their dreams and I feel I can relate to some parts of their stories because it took me soooo long to stop listening to all those reasonable people telling me what to do and just fight harder to fulfill my dream of becoming a comic book artist. These videos show that the risk is worth taking and although it'll be hard it may pay off. I have a good script, I have some skills - it's time to start the work. Thank you!

[@pathevermore3683]

0:13 talent

[@haroldjoseph8296]

Luck

[@explosion9815]

I don't have much interest in western comics, but you always manage to pull me into the story regardless. Nothing but praise, and good luck going full time!

[@jjw6961]

The Walking Dead got me into comics, but Invincible is what made me fall in love with comics.

[@marjoe32]

Kirkman has had an amazing story. I remember when these comic were coming out. All his comics took chances and looked beautiful, what a combo

[@ginoames]

I really enjoy Kirkman's work. Invincible and the Walking Dead are both fantastic. I also really enjoyed the Astounding Wolf-Man.

[@ayakuweb]

Another great video, Matttt. It's sad to know how a lot of comic book partnerships and friendships come to an end in the industry.

[@islandboy9381]

That's what business life does, hence why it's healthier to keep personal and professional life seperate.

[@WaniZame]

Discovering Ryan Ottely like that is mad. Brother is a crazy talent.

[@jonas-by5uc]

it's so funny because walking dead is the first american comics i read, and i remember the change in the drawings between issue 6 and 7. It's so interesting to finally have the story behind it

[@meicc398]

Wich one did you like more?

[@jonas-by5uc]

@@meicc398 when the switch happened i remember really disliking the new style, but now that i've read the entire serie, it's coming back to the first few tomes that feels really weird. But if i had to choose i guess i think the style after issue 7 suits the tone of the story more

[@meicc398]

@@jonas-by5uc yeah, I kind of feel the same, though I like Tony Moore style a lot it kinda felt cartoonist, Charlie Adlard improved a lot through the series too

[@TetsuShima]

12:43 Speaking of the preference to make the panels per page larger in size and fewer in number to emphasize the art more than the story, I believe that the effectiveness of that method varies enormously depending on the story it deals with. On the one hand, the abundance of one and double page panels in "Infinite Crisis" works very well, since that saga is full of many epic and transcendental moments that are very well conveyed when drawn in a very large size. On the other hand, the awful "All-Star Batman & Robin" series constantly abuses the use of the gigantic panels even in completely casual situations that do not require any type of epicness, to the point that you could literally read an entire issue in less than 10 minutes. Without a doubt, the worst example of "All-Star" is the SIX-page panel that shows a very standard Batcave. It's pretty obvious that Jim Lee did what he could trying to make that piece of sh*t epic 😅

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

Despite the criticism against All Star Batman & Robin, Jim Lee's artwork and panelling for that series IS always fantastic to see, as usual, for all of the work he's done.

[@TetsuShima]

​@@Gadget-Walkmen Jim Lee's artbis amazing, but he abused the use of large panels too much in "All-Star". Not every single panel must have the size of two entire pages

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@TetsuShima I don’t see that at all as his big panels are will spaced out and understandable for MOST of his comics, at least for his modern ones like Batman hush and justice league. Don’t know about his 90s comics much in terms of paneling but his artwork there still looks fantastic!

[@TetsuShima]

​@@Gadget-Walkmen I am only referring to his panels in "All-Star Batman & Robin". Frank Miller forced him to make too many unnecesary one and double page panels. He generally distributes them well in other works

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@TetsuShima fair enough.

[@neolunaticus]

I own the first Invincible compendium. It was fascinating to see how things were changed and rearranged for the animated show. I own the first 6 hardcover Walking Dead books. I refuse to watch the TV show. The comic is so visceral and captivating. I can't wait to read more. Maybe I should've gotten the compendium...

[@BobbyTomio]

I want to give you my respect. You actually get this history right. As a long time creator-centric comic fan, I've got all this stuff in my head and get frustrated when I see the information delivered wrong or out of context. Thus far, almost 8 minutes in, you've got it all correct (maybe I should wait and see how you handle the Tony Moore Robert Kirkman "The Walking Dead" fallout 😉). Congrats on presenting it all in a very entertaining way!

[@BobbyTomio]

Little details not included: Ottley's Webcomic Ted Noodleman; the PencilJack discussion board, Charle Adlard being a workhorse that got his start doing X-files comics, the continual growth in sales of Walking Dead when Adlard joined and made a legit monthly comic proving that Kirkman's monthly philosophy had teeth (even though Adlard's figure work was nowhere near Tony Moore's). None of those details are necessary... (just stuck in my head). Awesome video. Thanks! BTW, an excellent topic for a future video? David Choe and Brian Wood's almost X-men Title: NYX. The context (especially with what David Choe became) is everything. Sadly Brian Wood's history is probably a minus. Not sure if there's a way to reach me through KZbin, but I've got some stuff that can help with that.

[@brandonelkins2957]

Darabont more importantly directed "The Mist" and wrote an ending that was better than King's

[@theandrogynousmisogynist]

Gale Hurd has been apart of EVERYTHING lol

[@chriskasmar2835]

PLEASE keep making content!!!!!! I adore the brilliant juxtaposition of the commentary you provide with the emphasis on historical significance in all your videos! Your analysis has a palpable weight to every subject you tackle. As an artist that dabbles in the medium of comics I love the nuanced, technical approach to your breakdowns that has me literally hanging on every word. You rock, please carry on.

[@alexandredesouza3692]

Not that I have any friends who want to make comics with me, or perhaps even work in the same area, but I would never trade a friendship for personal gain. No shade on Kirkman, he did the right call. But I wouldn't have the courage.

[@cthellis]

I’d kind of like to see more looks at comic creators like Mark Gruenwald. Not studio-creators or modern giants or historic legends. The kind of people who strongly kept things going, who had unique voices, but unknown influence and whose names tend to not be known, either back in the day but especially to modern audiences.

[@cthellis]

Also I think it would be interesting to take a look into the “alt publishing” imprints within the big publishers. Which is to say I really just want someone to go deep into DP7 and the New Universe effort. 😝

[@koroshiyashinigami]

He keeps getting me with the blurred cover and then putting another one on the screen instead.

[@i.pfreely8979]

this was a really captivating video, you definitely have a way with story telling! if anything, my one complaint would be there wasn't enough video, i could've watched a whole documentary about this :] great content, man, can't wait to keep up with you

[@Larinator]

Hi Matt. As a filmmaker I appreciate and respect all of the work that goes into your videos. Many do not realise the days and weeks of research and editing. Great job.

[@KamauMshale]

I was...around durring his rise. Alot of his success is the fandom and the connection that got created because of his online action. Inkpunks spawned from "funk o tron" on pencil jack forms, but at that point all the artist were unknowns and found alot of comradery online in these spaces. so whenever someone did something, it tended to get support from alot of other members there. Kirkman and moore with Funk o tron, did a bunch of conventions too, which were expensive. I would go and get an artist alley table and try to sell a book, kirkman would have a corner booth in the small press section with huge display. Definitely alot of community support and fake it till you make it went on. We saw corey walker doing "Kung foo sally" in ink punks and shorts for battle pope before doing invincible. He even did science dog eventually. but we supported those artist and kirkman early on as much because he was one of that creator community as him doing good work.

[@poppinc8145]

You made no mention of _Outcast_ which is also a Robert Kirkman comic that got adapted into a HBO series (2016-2017) but cancelled after two seasons.

[@samtam423]

You know i am currently strugglin in life and i am unemployed, this kind of stories is really motivating to follow dreams or try to figure out what to do in life finding something you love and have fun. Thanks for the video i enjoy it!

[@elenipetrakou2648]

I adore this channel; but I'll also just throw in randomly that I've never been lured to read any superhero comic more than Battlepope, and this is at first sight!

[@Hellismary]

Thank you for this information here, as a comic creator myself I’ve wanted more definitive information about his come up, essentially it really is “Who you know” that makes all the difference

[@keremmazman3761]

A video on Bill Sienkiewicz's artistic evolution would be great.

[@lornbaker1083]

His secret is he gives the audience what they want. Even if the reviewers don't want it because he knows the reviewers aren't the people who are bringing in the money.

[@amiasquinn7766]

"I'm gonna use one of Kirkman's cut away techniques": KZbin cuts to AD🤣🤣🤣I died laughing!!

[@tremorstudio9766]

“But this is Kirkman… “ this catchphrase sounds like a Brazilian sketch comedy called “Joseph Climber” 😂

[@Soookulio]

Dude really should make a patreon, love his videos and sure many would love to show their support for these projects that he has put so much time and effort into making.

[@pbales8951]

I love your in-depth stories and how you pace them. Lots of great information in a captivating format. Excellent work!

[@ComeOnBunny]

The interesting thing is with webtoons, and digital distribution the self publishing scene has made things a lot less challenging. Also digital work can be distributed infinitely.

[@bernardocoto8519]

Comics were just the backdrop to tell the human drama of a broken friendship. Well done sir...

[@steve_bal4]

If you had told me 30 years ago that I'd be reading ANYTHING produced thru Image comics, I'd have laughed in your face. Fast forward to today, and the majority of what I read and enjoy is either coming from them or Darkhorse because they take chances on unique, ingenious, challenging, and largely non-typical & non-superhero stuff. The fact that these companies allow their artists to own their stories and characters is just well-deserved icing on the cake.

[@LlamaDuck2211]

I love Kirkman, he is an amazing writer, he is true to the fans of his work and he is really healthy for comics. I am so sad about gis rift with Tony Moore.

[@electrojones]

His two biggest hit ideas: What if a zombie thing never ended and just repeated character types and plotlines forever? What if incredibly generic superhero archetypes caused gory casualties when they fought? Characters in Invincible are just knockoffs of existing characters at other companies. Here's where Kirkman's imagination really shines, with character names like Master Mind, Isotope, The Lizard League, and Robot being typical of his inventive gifts. The early Walking Dead show became popular because of Frank Darabont's development and the Darabont-created character Daryl Dixon. Then Kirkman and AMC tried to screw Darabont out of his share of the proceeds. Kirkman is not worth talking about.

[@TruculentSheep]

The last issue of Invincible was essentially the final Miracleman arc, but with all the self-awareness and intellectual honesty stripped away, and "needless to say, I had the last laugh!" written on the bottom of every page in invisible ink.

[@albertogarcia305]

He's a writer that knows how to break the toys not really write new stories with them that's how I see invincible and other stuff like the boys.

[@bruceyboysvideos]

Kirkman created Negan which cancels out any of the leaky puss shit you just listed.

[@ghostwolf1435]

Exactly all great points Kirkman literally rides off the backs of Giants I watched Invincible and the Big Twist moment really didn’t surprise me being an Old Nerd from Back in the Day The Animation Team outright pilfered the Idea from Japanese OVA Classic Fist of the Northstar (splattering anime) And as you’ve stated season 1 of The Walking Dead was its pinnacle You could see Frank’s cinematic style that elevated the material

[@rami3164]

When you take inspiration from one thing, it’s plagiarism, but take inspiration from 100? That’s art. You could say the same about Star Wars that rips off like 20 different stories, but it brings all of the elements together perfectly. Invincible is like the personality of Spider-Man, powers of Superman, and conflicts of Luke skywalker

[@TheWordPlay]

Man, you've been knocking it out of the park with these videos! I stopped reading comics, but your channel is starting to bring me back in! Also yes to a Todd McFarlane episode.

[@Fivehe]

Kirkman’s talent is undeniable, but he begins to look like the common denominator with all these rifts

[@alexpaleale]

I’m really enjoy these videos man. I’m training to become a teacher and my degree is in comics, so I’m gathering resources like these that I can show my students one day when we talk about comic book history. Give me more! 😂 Moore, Gaiman, Vertigo, the British Invasion! Tell us all the most pivotal moments and people in the history of comics and manga even!

[@greggatesjr1301]

Three things: 1) this is the first time seeing your videos, and I freaking love it. 2) The X-Force splash page Stryfe reveal broke my brain as the kid. I was fully invested at the end of the new mutants, and was an avid Cable fan. 3) Please make a Todd McFarlane video!’ But before you read Spawn, please consider going back to read his Spider-Man run also. Those issues are some of my all-time favorite art and writing.

[@Shan_Troker]

Well made video as usual, you came out the gate strong and you're keeping it up. Glad you went into Kirkman's scummier side, that man is such a weasel 💀

[@josephmatthews7698]

Every individual success story involves a guy backstabbing all the guys who brought him to the dance. Its weird how we celebrate that instead of calling it out for what it is and asking why we built a system that rewards that crap.

[@ridongsridongs3183]

The thing that I like about Kirkman is his dedication that he puts into his work.

[@kadraeallday5582]

Based on the information in this. Kirkman was right to stay true to his vision. It's imperative to not allow money or friendship dictate your goals and dilute the beautiful work your mind has come up with. Real friends, will allow it you to be who you are and step aside when they get in the way.

[@dcamaag709]

I think him trying to screw over the artists when it came to adaptaion and royalties is probably the biggest thing that irks me, first it was Moore then it was crabtree. Kudos Kirkman for his success I legitimately mean it, he did put himself in the hole because of his love for the medium.

[@CartoonboyYT]

Matttt will always be a good source to learn more about comics.