Nick Simmons Releases Statement, Takes No Responsibility

Posted in Manga News on March 1, 2010 by Johanna

Nick Simmons, artist of Incarnate, which contains panels copied from Bleach and other manga, has released the following statement via a representative:

“Like most artists I am inspired by work I admire. There are certain similarities between some of my work and the work of others. This was simply meant as an homage to artists I respect, and I definitely want to apologize to any Manga fans or fellow Manga artists who feel I went too far. My inspirations reflect the fact that certain fundamental imagery is common to all Manga. This is the nature of the medium.

“I am a big fan of Bleach, as well as other Manga titles. And I am certainly sorry if anyone was offended or upset by what they perceive to be the similarity between my work and the work of artists that I admire and who inspire me.”

Note that he doesn’t acknowledge he went beyond “homage” to flat-out copies. He also doesn’t apologize for what he did — he’s sorry if other people “feel” he went too far or “perceived” similarities (that are obvious to anyone). In other words, it’s our fault that we’re upset because he didn’t mean anything bad by it.

“Certain fundamental imagery” appears to be code for “I couldn’t find a different way to show a guy screaming / girl crying / etc. so I just copied them.” That’s not honoring his “inspirations”. Is he really blaming the medium for making him a plagiarist?

This is oil on a grease fire. Better if he’d said nothing than tried to calm people down without taking any responsibility on himself for his actions.

Update: (3/2/10) My response has been quoted at the New York Times Arts Beat blog.

Similar Posts: Plagiarism, Scanlations, and Copies: Nick Simmons’ Incarnate Rips Off Bleach § Viz Anime Launches § Manga Out Loud: My First Podcast § Bad News for Manga Companies Continues: Viz Lays Off 40% § Loners #3 Cover Swapped – Why?

123 Comments

  1. [...] Lähde: Comics Worth Reading [...]

  2. Oh hey, want his dA? http://letsleepinggodslie.deviantart.com/

    His style doesnt even match up to any manga. Way to fail… XD

  3. [...] la web Comics Worth Reading, Nick Simmons declaró sobre la situación, alegando  solo haberse inspirado  de Bleach y otros [...]

  4. [...] Comic fans talk about Nick Simmons, son of KISS memberGene Simmons, who copied several manga (mostly Bleach) to make his own comic Incarnate. When caught, Simmons issued a non-apology. [...]

  5. Oh so it’s an homage…since when making copy/paste it’s an homage? Come on…if a 20 year old boy has NOT AT ALL any fantasy, where will he be in 15 years from now? If you’re not good at drawing it’s okay, just do something else…but this is just and only a simple way to make easy money: being a copycat! Please stop copying and do something else…like go to work!

  6. [...] a graphic novel which appeared to be copied WHOLESALE from Japanese manga.  Nick Simmon’s lame ass response: “Like most artists I am inspired by work I admire. There are certain similarities between some [...]

  7. Steve Chaput
    03/04/2010 at 1:13 PM

    Pretty cool seeing you quoted in the NY Times, along with a link to your site. Heck, and I knew you back when you were just a fangirl!

    Seriously though, it’s sad that Simmons would use such a lame and obvious excuse for what he did. Also, how could he not expect his “homage” do go undetected, when he was trying to appeal to that same demographic?

  8. My parents were immensely impressed — online doesn’t mean much to them, but a PRINT paper! :)

    Some have speculated that that might have been a factor in him using scans, instead of stuff that was already in print here and thus presumably better known. Alternately, it’s easier to copy something online in Photoshop.

  9. qwertymaniac
    03/05/2010 at 5:34 AM

    Well…I know I lack creativity too, but I don’t make blatant excuses for it.

  10. [...] 1, 2010: Apparently Nick Simmons has released a statement. Nick Simmons Releases Statement, Takes No Responsibility and Incarncate Creator Nick Simmons Responds to Plagiarism Allegations. In this statement he makes [...]

  11. [...] lo publicado en el blog Comics Worth Reading, Nick Simmons ha emitido un comunicado a través de su representante, en el cual no hace más que [...]

  12. [...] anos de livros de comédia, o criador Nick Simmons emitiu uma declaração publica sobre as acusações generalizadas sobre cópias de imagem e idéias do mangá Bleach de Tite [...]

  13. [...] satisfaction of all parties“. Simmons meanwhile, after ignoring the noise for several weeks, issued a statement that denied any wrong-doing telling fans “there are certain similarities between some of my [...]

  14. There is some fundamental imagery in comics, but somehow in the 60+ years Superman’s been drawn, you can’t find too many cases of this sort of thing – even in the ‘Muscle Guy Flying’ genre. In ONE issue of his comic, you can find a dozen plus. His logic is brilliant.

    I also was giggling that Amazon is trying to sell me Nick’s comic book on your side bar.

  15. I swear Nick Simmons mentioned he hadn’t heard of Bleach when he was first confronted on the issue

  16. the “Nick Simmons” who said he had not heard of Bleach was a troll on face book.

  17. There’s no need to be angry at him. Plagiarism is the simplest way of flattering. Incarnate made a scandal, and that scandal, is not about the money he makes copying Bleach, its about how many people, who didnt know about bleach, will start to hear things, giving indeed Free advertising for Bleach.

  18. Steve Chaput
    04/06/2010 at 12:51 PM

    If you are saying that plagiarism is a ‘good thing’, I’m afraid I can’t agree with you at all. I could cut and past a few chapters of a Stephen King novel, change the character names and you think he’d be fine with that? How fast with his lawyers be on the phone to me? “I’m sorry, I thought Mr. King needed the exposure.”

    An homage or even a spoof is one thing, but using character designs or layouts without credit go way beyond that.

    Steve C.

  19. 4635jm67e56857e546jw34895u8934u58934u58934u58934895f23y784fy23784y2374y237894uy2378
    04/07/2010 at 9:32 PM

    Long story short – he hasn’t learned his lesson, and he will never learn his lesson unless he gets it in the form of a foot planted firmly up his ass.

  20. Biggiejackson
    04/30/2010 at 11:51 AM

    Ok if I copied a 100 bill and said it was homage to america fine… but as soon as I try to spend it thats when its a crime ok because now Im trying to get paid off of it!!!!!

  21. if you need proof. well here is a set of links that will clearly show where nick has gotten this idea he’s entitled to steal from others as he lawyers up just like his parents. the douche bag was taught good by the moneybags with the big ego and the big mouth;

    http://www.openpr.com/news/19702/Gene-Simmons-of-rock-group-KISS-and-his-non-wife-Shannon-Tweed-being-sued-for-photo-theft.html

    http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/photographer-to-hit-shannon-tweed-with-copyright-infringement_1028121

    http://www.zimbio.com/Copyright+Violations/articles/6/Gene+Simmons+Rock+Group+KISS+facing+another

    http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200704/1177880127.html

    http://www.aversion.com/news/news_article.cfm?news_id=7077

    (associate press int.) dec. 1998

  22. There’s a fine line between admiration/inspiration and acutally copying the whole thing….from the concept of the story (undead gods…? oh come on) to the art also (specific pannels), from what I can see, he went beyond that whole inspirational crap.

    You don’t see us writing about a report and using other peoples work specifically without citing them. It’s plain plagarism. For him to actually copy some of the panels exactly from Bleach, yea it’s definately plagarism. I’m sorry but I’ve never seen any other “inspiring” artist do that.

    There’s just no excuse for it Mr.Simmons.

  23. Steve Chaput
    06/10/2010 at 3:41 PM

    I made my comments earlier in this thread, but have to admit that I’m surprised that folks are still talking about it.

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