Shooter, Shills, and a Dark (Horse) Ending on The Corner Box - S3Ep26

David and John break down the fallout of a massive industry earthquake and step back in time to the most surreal courtroom drama in comic book history. It’s the kind of "inside comics" that reminds you why the business is just as wild as the pages we print.The  RecapThe era of the "comic book guy" CEO is officially on life support as Mike Richardson exits Dark Horse, leaving the company in the hands of a video game-focused equity firm. David and John worry that massive corporate debt at Warner Bros. Discovery could lead to DC Comics becoming a mere licensing farm rather than a publisher. Shifting to the past, it’s Part-two of the infamous 1980s Fleisher vs. Harlan Ellison libel trial as the guys dissect the grueling four-week trial where Michael Fleisher sued the Comics Journal and Harlan Ellison over being called "certifiable." The highlight involves Jim Shooter’s "straight shooter" blog recollections of a morality panel that may or may not have happened exactly the way he remembers. It’s a crazy trip into the past and a sad look at the fragile corporate landscape of today. Splash Page Snippets"It is legitimately an end of an era—not just at Dark Horse, but in the comics medium." — David Hedgecock"There aren't many comic book guys in charge of comic book companies anymore." — John Barber"Four weeks of your life spent asking Harlan Ellison if he meant 'bug f*ck' in a clinical sense." — John Barber"I can see a scenario where they kill the division and license out all those properties." — David Hedgecock"I hope he is as inept in court as he is a writer." — Gary Groth (quoted by John Barber) Key Panels (Highlights)[01:29] – The Fall of the First Horse: Mike Richardson’s exit from Dark Horse marks the end of the founder-led era.[05:43] – The Xenomorph Standard: How Dark Horse proved licensed comics could actually be high-quality storytelling.[09:02] – The New Corporate Masters: A look at the changing guard at Marvel, DC, IDW, and Boom.[18:27] – Crisis on Infinite Debts: Why 70 billion in debt might turn DC into a mere licensing farm.[28:25] – Trial of the Century: The grueling four-week courtroom saga of Fleisher vs. The Comics Journal.[37:38] – Enter: The 26-Year-Old EIC: Jim Shooter takes the stand as the industry’s youngest expert witness.[43:58] – The Shooter Cut: Jim's "straight shooter" retelling of the infamous 1980 San Diego morality panel.Support The Comic BoxDavid Hedgecock (Fun Time Go) - Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (PUG Worldwide) - Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (The Corner Box Club) - Official WebsiteDig DeeperMike Richardson (Mike Richardson) - Founder of Dark Horse Comics.Mike Mignola (Official Site) - Creator of Hellboy.Frank Miller (Official Site) - Creator of Sin City and 300.Paul Chadwick (Wikipedia) - Creator of the indie hit Concrete.Jim Shooter (Official Blog) - Former Marvel EIC and expert witness.Gary Groth (Fantagraphics) - Co-founder of The Comics Journal.Mark Evanier (News From ME) - Veteran writer, historian, and panel moderator.