Frank Frazetta Comics Held Over Creator Payments as Opus Moves to UK

Posted in: Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, Opus Comics | Tagged: frank frazetta, opus comics, Sara Frazetta, Sedat Oezgen

Yesterday, Sedat Oezgen posted to social media, allegations that Opus Comics has not been paying him for his work on Frank Frazetta titles.

German comedian guide creator Sedat Oezgen, identified for his work for Dynamite, 2000AD, Zenescope and extra, has, this 12 months, been engaged on Frank Frazetta’s Science Fantasy and covers for Frank Frazetta’s Mothman and Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer, printed by Opus Comics, a subsidiary of Incendium Records.

Opus Comics was fashioned in 2022 by former Heavy Metal Magazine and IDW Publishing workers, CEO Llexi Leon, Executive Editor Denton J. Tipton and International Editor RG Llarena. And has been publishing fantasy and sci-fi comics, Frank Frazetta-related titles, Bill & Ted comics, and comics derived from the work of musicians, such as Cradle Of Filth, Evanescence, Exodus, Disturbed and Gene Simmons. It has additionally been famous that a number of Opus titles, such as Frank Frazetta’s Science Fantasy, appear to be fairly late, with subject #3 now scheduled for December as a substitute of August and #4 for January subsequent 12 months.

Sedat Oezgen speaks about Opus Comics

Yesterday, Sedat Oezgen, one of many artists on that sequence, posted to social media on Facebook and Instagram, allegations that Opus has merely not been paying him and his workforce. He wrote “A Warning to All Artists: Beware of Working with OPUS Comics” earlier than persevering with.

“I consistently delivered high-quality work on time, and my editors expressed satisfaction with my results. In fact, Opus and the company’s owner, Llexi Leon, even shared my work on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. After completing the “Mothman” cover, I was asked to illustrate a 24-page script for “Frank Frazetta’s: Tales of Science-Fantasy.” I received the final script in late May, with the deadline for publication set for San Diego Comic-Con 2023 (mid-July).”

“Despite the tight timeframe, I was confident in my ability to complete the project. Working tirelessly, I finished the 24-page comic, including pencils and inks, within less than three weeks, even while attending Charlotte Heroes Con in June. As I progressed, I sent invoices for the completed work: one after the first twelve pages and another after the remaining twelve pages.”

“Considering the demanding schedule and the quality of the work delivered, both myself and my colorist, Omi Remalante, dedicated immense effort to this project, often working late into the night. Our combined efforts ensured that Opus Comics had the finished comic ready for SDCC. Upon completing the project, I noticed that I hadn’t been paid for the “Mothman” cover. Due to editorial changes, I initially assumed they might have overlooked it. However, as time passed, it became clear that none of my invoices had been paid. In July, I inquired about payment with my editor, who promised to speak with Lexi and ensure I would receive compensation by the end of July.”

“Despite my editor’s efforts, I remained unpaid. I reached out to Lexi directly, requesting payment for my invoices. A few days later, I received half of the owed amount. My editor, continuing to advocate for my payment, assured me that I would be fully compensated by the end of August. However, August came and went, followed by September, without any further payment. I again contacted my editor, who reiterated his commitment to resolving the matter and promised payment by the end of October. Again, my hopes were met with silence.”

“On October 25th, I composed a firm email to Lexi, emphasizing my intention to make this issue public if payment wasn’t received. I also contacted Sara Frazetta, who was unaware of the situation. She apologized for Opus’s behavior and attempted to intervene, but Lexi remained unresponsive. On October 31st, I sent another email to Lexi, reiterating my stance and demanding payment. Despite my efforts, I received no response, no explanation, no apology, and no indication of payment.”

As of at present, I’ve not been paid for my work. It has change into evident that Opus Comics has no intention of honoring its commitments. I’m sharing my expertise to warn different artists of Opus Comics’ unethical practices. It is unacceptable for any firm to exploit and withhold cost from its artistic abilities. I’m not the one artist who has suffered from their unprofessional conduct. I urge anybody who has had comparable experiences with Opus Comics to communicate up. By sharing our tales, we are able to shield others from falling sufferer to their predatory practices. Please unfold the phrase and encourage artists to train warning when contemplating working with Opus Comics. Let’s maintain corporations accountable for his or her actions and shield the rights of artistic professionals.”

“I’d also like to emphasize that none of what happened was in any way Sara Frazetta’s or Frazetta Girls fault. Sara was as helpful as it gets in this matter. P.S. I’d like to emphasize that this isn’t their editorials Fault. R.G. Llarena always tried to get the talent paid. All of this goes back to the owner of the company.”

That submit hit with a bomb and was shared by many different distinguished artists, such as Mikel Janin and Jamal Igle, with a lot of supportive feedback. And sure, loads of individuals tagging in Bleeding Cool. We had beforehand shared rumours about this very subject after Opus Comics co-founder Denton Tipton left the writer earlier within the 12 months.

The author of the comedian Frank Frazetta’s Science Fantasy, Aaron John Gregory, replied to Sedat on Instagram, saying “Sedat, I’ve been meaning to reach out to you and Omi to see if you’ve both gotten paid. Cause I, the writer of the book, have not either, neither for the script or my own RI cover. I’ve written very polite emails once a month to Opus since the book was completed asking for my compensation. I applaud you for going public. I’m glad you reached out to Sara, too.”

I did communicate to Sedat on the telephone earlier at present. He advised me that he needed to emphasise RG Llarena’s function in serving to artists to receives a commission and in addition that neither Sara Frazetta nor the Frazetta model had something to do with this, and that she had additionally reached out making an attempt to get artists to be paid for his or her work. He additionally shared the unique artwork covers above for Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer 2099 #2 and #3, and an unseen cowl for Frank Frazetta’s Mothman #3 and says that if anybody is enthusiastic about buying the unique artwork to any of those covers, they will attain out to him on Instagram or Facebook.

Frank Frazetta’s granddaughter speaks about Opus Comics

Bleeding Cool has additionally been knowledgeable privately of a number of different creators alleging nonpayment from Opus however who aren’t prepared to go public but, totalling tens of hundreds. They advised me funds had been meant to have resumed in October however didn’t. The aforementioned Sara Frazetta, who represents the property of her grandfather Frank Frazetta, wrote to Bleeding Cool to inform us;

“Unfortunately recent events which are out of our control have transpired within Incendium/Opus. The company has not been able to pay artists and writers in a timely manner and it’s completely unacceptable. At this time we are doing all we can to ensure Incendium/Opus understands our position and that is, the creators need to be paid. We have halted the release of any new titles until this issue is entirely resolved. This industry is built by the artists and artists should always stand up for their rights and deserved pay. We are entirely on their side.”

Opus Comics speaks about making massive modifications

Bleeding Cool contacted Opus Comics final evening, and we simply acquired the next assertion, which can change all the things. They inform us;

“We at Opus Comics agree 100% with the statements made by Sara Frazetta and others about this case. We worth our creators, and apologise profusely for letting them down on this occasion. Our workforce are all obsessed with what we do, and we hope individuals will follow us as we work by all the things to guarantee a very good end result for all concerned and to proceed creating nice comics collectively. They say comics will break your coronary heart, however we’re hoping they will heal it as nicely.

“Opus Comics within the USA had been produced by Incendium LLC beneath license, as an extension of their actions within the merchandise and collectibles area. Unfortunately, a myriad of post-pandemic provide chain points took their toll on Incendium, which has since ceased buying and selling solely. We’ve been working in direction of a rescue and restructure for Opus Comics to function as a standalone entity out of the United Kingdom for a number of months now. Until the method is finalised we have not been in a position to make a concise assertion to that impact, and there are nonetheless administrative hurdles to be overcome, however please think about this letter a press release of our intent.

“Despite the closure of our American partners at Incendium LLC, we must take full responsibility for where delays in payment have occurred, and offer our sincerest apologies to Sedat Oezgen and other creators affected. It is our obligation to make things right if Opus is to continue, and we hope that fans and creators will stay with us on this journey. Ultimately we want to ensure that all these great works stay in print, and that all creators with outstanding invoices are fully compensated before any affected work is reprinted under the new structure. Once we are in good standing, we anticipate that new work continues to print from the freshly reorganised Opus Comics, and we can all safely and fairly enjoy the world of comics together.”

So Opus Comics is closing within the US and opening within the UK. Likely, former Orbital Comics store supervisor, Eisner Award winner and Bleeding Cool contributor Chris Thompson will likely be closely concerned on this, as he has been engaged on Opus PR since they launched. But it’s fairly a shock throughout. We hope this bodes nicely for the long run and all these owed cash by Opus Comics.

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