In this week’s Previously, industry bad actor updates (sigh), Dark Horse makes its stance on AI clear, plus nominations for the first American Manga Awards, and an announcement from Lore Olympus author, Rachel Smythe.
First let’s just get this one out of the way. Kyle Carrozza, freelance animator and creator of Cartoon Network’s Mighty Magiswords, has been arrested on child pornography charges. Carrozza also worked on Animaniacs, Doc McStuffins, and The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water. And in other industry bad actor news, since the accusations against Neil Gaiman, first given air on the Tortoise Media podcast, we have been tracking some of the conversation and corroborations around these accusations on social media: here, here, here, here, and here.
Circling back to my last previously and last week’s previously, the AI and art debate continues – and will only continue. Dark Horse took to BlueSky to make clear their stance regarding the use of AI:
“Dark Horse comics was originally founded to establish an ideal publishing atmosphere for creative professionals, and maintains this focus on supporting independent creators to this day. As such, Dark Horse does not support the use of AI-generated material in the works of that we publish. Our contracts include language stating that the creator agrees that the work will not consist of any material generated by Artificial Intelligence programs. Dark Horse is committed to supporting human creative professionals with our business.”
The nominees for the inaugural American Manga Awards have been announced. You can view the nominees, along with judges’ comments, on the nomination page. Professionals working in an editorial capacity in the manga publishing are eligible to vote. The winners will be announced on August 22, 2024 at the Japan Society in New York City.
Author of New York Times bestselling graphic novel Lore Olympus and Eisner-winner Rachel Smythe has announced two new titles, Eleanor’s Deathbed and Patients in the Dark. Both appear to explore themes of death which is certainly in line with Lore Olympus‘s focus on the Greek myths of Hades and Persephone.
And only hours after I wrote this, yep, that happened: USA President Biden announced he was dropping out of the presidential race and endorsed his vice-president, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic nominee.
Signing off for this week; see you back here next week for another round of industry and industry-adjacent news!
