From: "Michael R. Grabois" <[o--b--t] at [ix.netcom.com]>
Subject: [NEWS] Liefeld responds to Image's press release
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 96 13:55:51 GMT
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.info

>From the Extreme Studios account on Compuserve's Comics and Animation Forum:


Date:	10/10/96
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			Contact: Matt Hawkins

ROB LIEFELD RESPONDS TO IMAGE

	As a result of Image Comics latest press release I am obliged to respond to
their latest attempts at spin control.  The conflict that led to my
resignation from Image Comics began when I decided to produce less titles
for Image Comics and more titles for Maximum Press, as detailed in the July
31st Diamond Dateline Volume VII #64 newsletter .  The plain and simple
truth is that our Maximum Press titles were producing a greater revenue for
Extreme and, given the fact that our industry is experiencing trying
economic times, it made better business sense.  This move threatened Image
Comics because of their competetive market share requirements and they
immediately reacted in a hostile and malicious manner.
	I was told that because I was moving books to Maximum Press that I was to
be penalized and ultimately voted out of the company, even though the titles
that I left behind produced more market share and revenue than Erik Larson
and Jim Valentino combined.
	These actions that were taken against me by my partners seemed to go
against the entire spirit and principles that Image Comics was founded on.
I was told that I should stop producing books for Maximum Press or fold
Maximum Press into Image permanently.  That was a move I was not interested
in making.
	Market share was becoming more important to Image Comics as evidenced by
the TMP toys being added to the overall grouping.
	Only after Image conducted a number of illegal acts in accordance with the
company's by-laws and its shareholders agreement did I make the decision to
resign.
	Rather than stay on and fight I would tender my resignation.  Weeks before
my actual resignation was made public I contacted Jim Valentino, Erik
Larson, Jim Lee and informed Todd McFarlane and Larry Marder that I was
preparing to resign.  I was informed days later that they would vote me out
regardless of my resignation.
	Far from minutes before any vote was taken, I handed in my resignation as
prepared by my attorney.  Image proceeded to vote me out of the company
hours later with my attorney present.  From that day on Image Comics has
done everything it can to hurt me and my operation.
	In reference to the slanderous allegations made in their Oct. 9th press
release, I can only say that these statements will only serve to aid me in
my lawsuit against them.
	As to the statement that I used my position in Image Comics as a platform
from which to conduct my non-Image business, I can only remark that I have
no idea what that is in reference to.
	I ask the public to analyze and study Image Comics recent statements and
draw their own conclusions as to what's really going on.
###


-----
 Michael R. Grabois  | http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mgrabois
 Houston, TX         | [o--b--t] at [ix.netcom.com]    CI$: 74737,2600
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Some people call me Maurice, 'cause I speak of the Pompatus of Love."