Nick Simmons, son of the Legendary Rocker, has found himself in whirl wind of controversy.   In recent weeks Radical Comics, publisher for Nick’s comic Incarnate, has pulled his series off the shelve and halted all production due to accusations of plagiarism.  Months prior, dedicated fans of the anime Bleach begin a campaign against the comic.  Sending angry letters and emails to the book’s publisher.  Fans over the internet compiled evidence to support their accusations, and I must say the evidence speaks for it’s self.

Radical Comics released this statment:

“We at Radical Publishing, Inc. and Radical Comics, Inc. are quite concerned to hear the news surrounding Nick Simmons’s Incarnate Comic Book. We are taking this matter seriously and making efforts now to contact the publishers of the works in question in an effort to resolve this matter.  We have halted further production and distribution of the “Incarnate” comic book and trade paperback until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.  Rest assured that Radical is taking swift action regarding this matter and will continue in its efforts to maintain the integrity and protect the intellectual property of artists throughout the world whose creative works are the bedrock of our Company and the comic book industry.”

Nick Simmons released his own statement:

“Like most artists I am inspired by work I admire. There are certain similarities between some of my work and the work of others. This was simply meant as an homage to artists I respect, and I definitely want to apologize to any Manga fans or fellow Manga artists who feel I went too far. My inspirations reflect the fact that certain fundamental imagery is common to all Manga. This is the nature of the medium.

I am a big fan of Bleach, as well as other Manga titles. And I am certainly sorry if anyone was offended or upset by what they perceive to be the similarity between my work and the work of artists that I admire and who inspire me.”

Being inspired, paying a homage, and ripping someone off are entirely two different things.  I think Nick thought that no one would notice the similarities between the two.  The panels are nearly complete copies, as if he just traced over it.  The character design’s just as similar as their Bleach counter parts .

I understand it can be hard to live in the shadow the man that slept with 4600 Women, but don’t steal other peoples work trying to play it off as if its your own.

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