COMING SOON IN 2012

[BobR]

Mr. penders, you need to stop and think about what you're doing. People are getting Jobs for showing other people why your art sucks

http://noseshark.deviantart.com/journal ... -302559211

Well, that's what they claim...whether that's true or not is the question. And if it is, more power to them.

[jameygamer]

Doesn't seem like much is happening around here. We have a ghost town.

[Mavrickindigo]

Doesn't seem like much is happening around here. We have a ghost town.

Too much negative publicity, I suppose

[Ken Penders]

Actually, a lot has been happening, all of it offline. The bad news was that during this time my hard drive crashed and I was having problems with my e-mail so it's really made things difficult in staying in touch with anyone I wasn't immediately in contact with on a daily basis. The good news beyond those problems being resolved is that I've been attending classes and becoming more familiar with the software necessary to implement my plans. Also good news, I have been not only working on script, art, character, prop and landscape designs for THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES, I've also been preparing my earlier stories for release in Director Cut format. The first story undergoing such treatment is FIRE DRILL, which features most of the content of the original in addition to material there initially just wasn't room for. As for subsequent stories, I'm still debating what to put in and what to leave out, and the answers may not be as obvious as anyone thinks.

[jameygamer]

Actually, a lot has been happening, all of it offline. The bad news was that during this time my hard drive crashed and I was having problems with my e-mail so it's really made things difficult in staying in touch with anyone I wasn't immediately in contact with on a daily basis. The good news beyond those problems being resolved is that I've been attending classes and becoming more familiar with the software necessary to implement my plans. Also good news, I have been not only working on script, art, character, prop and landscape designs for THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES, I've also been preparing my earlier stories for release in Director Cut format. The first story undergoing such treatment is FIRE DRILL, which features most of the content of the original in addition to material there initially just wasn't room for. As for subsequent stories, I'm still debating what to put in and what to leave out, and the answers may not be as obvious as anyone thinks.

Well, in the meantime, if you are able, I would still love to hear what your favorite Sonic game is, Mr. Penders. I was told that due to this suit, you could not answer until it was all resolved. From looking at other lawsuits, that means I could be waiting another 5 to 6 years for an answer. The video game ban lawsuit in California was filed in 2005, and went through a bazillion courts and such all the way to SCOTUS, and was only put down for good some 8 months ago. That's a long time to wait for something to happen.

So, I may ask you this alternate question instead: Have you ever played the Game Gear version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2?

[PaulAgnew]

Too much negative publicity, I suppose

That's the vocal minority alright. Guess some things will never change.

[Mavrickindigo]

Too much negative publicity, I suppose

That's the vocal minority alright. Guess some things will never change.

I really doubt the people naysaying Ken's actions are in the minority of people who would even be interested in his work. He's writing a continuation of a spin off series of a licensed comic that's still going on featuring Sonic the Hedgehog recolor characters that he claims are original in design

there's not really a big market for that outsider of people on the internet who read the original Knuckles series, and most of those people don't like what Ken doing. Any requests to prove the contrary are met with silence, so please keep believing this idea is popular. Whatever keeps you going man.

[Ken Penders]

@Mavrickindigo:

He's writing a continuation of a spin off series of a licensed comic that's still going on featuring Sonic the Hedgehog recolor characters that he claims are original in design

Really? In what universe did my material appear in anything Sega-related prior to my creation of it? And as you and everyone else will see, my material does not require any Sega elements to continue the story forward. The old readers who enjoyed the original stories back then along with the new readers discovering the material in updated formats have already made it clear to me they're looking forward to seeing where the creator of these stories intended to go with these characters and this saga.

I'm willing to bet you're even going to pick up a copy whether in print or digital format just to see whether I pull it off or not.

If you thought I did world-building in the original KNUCKLES series, you haven't seen anything until you see THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES.

[Tylinos]

The old readers who enjoyed the original stories back then along with the new readers discovering the material in updated formats have already made it clear to me they're looking forward to seeing where the creator of these stories intended to go with these characters and this saga.

Some of them, sure, but definitely not all of us. I loved many of the older stories (at least in the first half of the Knuckles series), but I honestly don't have any interest in actually reading the Lara-Su Chronicles even for curiosity's sake because, with no offense intended, I simply haven't enjoyed anything you've written since 1999 (Though I didn't mind some parts of the Green Knuckles saga), and the previews you've given haven't exactly raised my enthusiasm. The only thing that's piqued my interest is the original M20YL notes, and that's only because it's been teased at for over a decade. And even then I could just read what others say are listed in them.

[Mavrickindigo]

@Mavrickindigo:

He's writing a continuation of a spin off series of a licensed comic that's still going on featuring Sonic the Hedgehog recolor characters that he claims are original in design

Really? In what universe did my material appear in anything Sega-related prior to my creation of it?

Considering all of your major characters are "Knuckles wearing a wig?" This one. And there's the little matter of THE SETTING and THE ITEM THAT EVERYTHING IS CENTERED AROUND

And as you and everyone else will see, my material does not require any Sega elements to continue the story forward.

Probably one reason you were let go at Archie was because you never used anything game-related unless you were forced to.

The old readers who enjoyed the original stories back then along with the new readers discovering the material in updated formats have already made it clear to me they're looking forward to seeing where the creator of these stories intended to go with these characters and this saga.

I'd love to see proof of this, or is this just hearsay? Surely there are large chunks of fansites just gushing about how much they want to see this, because every Major Sonic fansite I've seen recently is making fun of you instead.

I'm willing to bet you're even going to pick up a copy whether in print or digital format just to see whether I pull it off or not.

If by "Pick up a copy" you mean "read it on /co/ when someone inevitably posts it there," probably. Although I concede to you that the morbid curiosity of the thing really does make it tempting. I probably won't have the funds to pick up such an oddity anyway.

[jameygamer]

@Mavrickindigo:

He's writing a continuation of a spin off series of a licensed comic that's still going on featuring Sonic the Hedgehog recolor characters that he claims are original in design

Really? In what universe did my material appear in anything Sega-related prior to my creation of it? And as you and everyone else will see, my material does not require any Sega elements to continue the story forward. The old readers who enjoyed the original stories back then along with the new readers discovering the material in updated formats have already made it clear to me they're looking forward to seeing where the creator of these stories intended to go with these characters and this saga.

I'm willing to bet you're even going to pick up a copy whether in print or digital format just to see whether I pull it off or not.

If you thought I did world-building in the original KNUCKLES series, you haven't seen anything until you see THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES.

Really now, eh?

Tell you what. If you're so sure this could work, I would settle whatever disputes you have with Archie and pitch this for a Sonic Universe arc. You can say what you want about not needing Sega, but I HATE the redesigns, and a lot of fans have taking a liking to bashing it openly all over the Net. This would work MUCH better as a Sonic Universe arc, and apparently, Flynn seems to have some sort of fondness for Lara-Su as well, I surmise.

[jameygamer]

@Mavrickindigo:

He's writing a continuation of a spin off series of a licensed comic that's still going on featuring Sonic the Hedgehog recolor characters that he claims are original in design

Really? In what universe did my material appear in anything Sega-related prior to my creation of it? And as you and everyone else will see, my material does not require any Sega elements to continue the story forward. The old readers who enjoyed the original stories back then along with the new readers discovering the material in updated formats have already made it clear to me they're looking forward to seeing where the creator of these stories intended to go with these characters and this saga.

I'm willing to bet you're even going to pick up a copy whether in print or digital format just to see whether I pull it off or not.

If you thought I did world-building in the original KNUCKLES series, you haven't seen anything until you see THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES.

Really now, eh?

Tell you what. If you're so sure this could work, I would settle whatever disputes you have with Archie and pitch this for a Sonic Universe arc. You can say what you want about not needing Sega, but I HATE the redesigns, and a lot of fans have taking a liking to bashing it openly all over the Net. This would work MUCH better as a Sonic Universe arc with the designs these characters already have AND with Knuckles somewhere in it, even in a minor role. And apparently, Flynn seems to have some sort of fondness for Lara-Su as well, I surmise.

[Mavrickindigo]

@Mavrickindigo:

He's writing a continuation of a spin off series of a licensed comic that's still going on featuring Sonic the Hedgehog recolor characters that he claims are original in design

Really? In what universe did my material appear in anything Sega-related prior to my creation of it? And as you and everyone else will see, my material does not require any Sega elements to continue the story forward. The old readers who enjoyed the original stories back then along with the new readers discovering the material in updated formats have already made it clear to me they're looking forward to seeing where the creator of these stories intended to go with these characters and this saga.

I'm willing to bet you're even going to pick up a copy whether in print or digital format just to see whether I pull it off or not.

If you thought I did world-building in the original KNUCKLES series, you haven't seen anything until you see THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES.

Really now, eh?

Tell you what. If you're so sure this could work, I would settle whatever disputes you have with Archie and pitch this for a Sonic Universe arc. You can say what you want about not needing Sega, but I HATE the redesigns, and a lot of fans have taking a liking to bashing it openly all over the Net. This would work MUCH better as a Sonic Universe arc, and apparently, Flynn seems to have some sort of fondness for Lara-Su as well, I surmise.

After Penders SUED them, I doubt archie will ever want to work with him again.

That being said, if Penders pitched a four-issue arc in the X years later storyline that was good, I'd be interested in reading it any future x years later stuff.

[PaulAgnew]

After Penders SUED them, I doubt archie will ever want to work with him again.

Mavrickindigo, there are plans to respond to your above post soon. In the meantime, this confirms my suspicion BobR should compile another FAQ regarding the exact timeline of events, in particular the part where Ken sued Archie.

[Tylinos]

Paul's right on this. This is one misconception that I see a lot that really bugs me. Ken did not sue Archie. Archie sued Ken. He did sue Sega/EA/Bioware over Chronicles, though. But they are not Archie, just Archie's licensor.

[Mavrickindigo]

After Penders SUED them, I doubt archie will ever want to work with him again.

Mavrickindigo, there are plans to respond to your above post soon. In the meantime, this confirms my suspicion BobR should compile another FAQ regarding the exact timeline of events, in particular the part where Ken sued Archie.

Ah ok, I'm mistaken, but yeah I remember that now.

anyway, yeah, Ken should totally pitch this as a Sonic Universe arc or something

[Daydrian]

Good to see you're back on this, Ken.

[Mavrickindigo]

hey 2012 is almost over, can we expect the first novel by december?

[BobR]

hey 2012 is almost over, can we expect the first novel by december?

Technically, we should have been to trial by this time, but everyone keeps pushing the date back. So it's delayed the novel by a bit.

Now that Archie has fired their legal staff, things should go a lot quicker.

No, really, they did. Check out the TSSZNews article if you don't believe me. They brought a whole new firm in. The first thing this new firm tried to do was file for an extension. Judge Berman said, "No!" So current dates are October 24 for the mediation talks and status conference on the 30th. Ken was hoping everything would be decided by now...well, you know how best laid plans go.

What do you think about it being an ebook?

Hey, at least we're not stupid like certain publishing houses that continue to publish what could amount to many, many willful violations of copyright with its $150,000 fine for each violation! Maybe they should just hand the keys to the company over to Ken right now.

[Mavrickindigo]

What do you think about it being an ebook?

Methinks that will make it easier for the 4channers to pirate it

[Cheezmatt]

What do you think about it being an ebook?

A definite boon for international fans. I always felt taunted by the subscription page featured in every issue... in 1997 anyway.

[Toby Barrett]

We're talking about the same site that posted this story, right?

http://www.tssznews.com/2012/08/15/pend ... to-archie/
http://www.tssznews.com/2012/08/15/sega ... ic-comics/

I'm not going to bother reading this entire thread to see if it was actually posted, but these seems like quite a step back.

[BobR]

On the contrary, Toby. The first is just a procedural thing that will probably be denied once the judge gets all the facts. The trial judge that ordered that payment was not the judge overseeing the copyright case. Archie's lawyers claimed that Ken's lawyers were negligent in getting them some information they requested after the due date. This was true. The reason fines like this are levied is to allow the legal teams enough time to review the material prior to trial. As there was no trial held on the date established by the deadline, however, there was no penalty against Archie's lawyers. If the judge that ruled on the fine knew that, he most likely would not have ordered any penalty.

As for the securing of copyrights, it doesn't matter. That's the interesting thing about copyright law. Archie owns the copyrights to the comics. That was their work, a collection. Ken gave Archie the rights to print his work in their collection - AND THAT'S ALL. He never granted anything other than the right to print the work in the comic. No archives, no digital formats, and definitely no right to continue using the characters and situations he created in other stories. Archie and SEGA can claim all the copyrights they want on the comic...it doesn't change the fact that it contains infringing works.