Tag Archives: aftershock comics

Astronaut Down from James Patrick, Rubine, and AfterShock is being developed at Netflix

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AfterShock is still going through its process to get out of Chapter 11, but part of that process and getting back on its feet is moving forward with adaptations of some of the comics in publishes. One of those is Astronaut Down which is being penned by F. Scott Frazier for Netflix.

AfterShock is teaming with Sam Esmail‘s Esmail Corp to bring the comic from writer James Patrick and artist Rubine to the screen. The sci-fi series was first releases in 2022 and went for five issues:

Douglas Spitzer wants to be one of the “astronauts” selected for the crucial Mission Politzer. And just like astronauts like Buzz Aldrin and Sally Ride, Douglas is brave, adaptable, and self-sacrificing. He’s one of the program’s best candidates.

But if he qualifies, Douglas won’t be traveling through space; he’ll be launched into alternate realities on a desperate mission to save Earth from a horrific crisis that has our world on the brink of extinction. Unfortunately, it’s a mission where everything will go wrong, where Douglas’s training and very humanity will be put to the test, and where a deep-seeded secret could sabotage everything.

Sam Esmail and Chad Hamilton are producing for Esmail Corp with Lee Kramer and Jon Kramer for AfterShock, and Nick Krishnamurthy exec producing. Patrick is acting as a consultant.

Astronaut Down #1

Aftershock and Diamond Settle without Transfer of Cash or Property

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Earlier this week, we broke the news that Aftershock and Diamond had ended their claims and counterclaims against each other. The lawsuit was launched September 9 and concerns the consigned goods of AfterShock’s that Diamond still has. Diamond has been fighting to be able to sell the consigned inventory and pay down its debt in its chapter 11 process.

In a hearing, Diamond had a stay put on its ability to sell the goods and was given the option to submit claims against individual publishers. Diamond then launched 32 different cases against individual publishers fighting over goods.

On December 5, AfterShock filed a counterclaim against Diamond asking for a judgement that the stock is AfterShock’s and that there’s issues with what Diamond is attempting as AfterShock is going through their own chapter 11 process which has its own stay in place.

AfterShock was looking to be awarded damages, including attorneys’ fees, punitive damages, and other relief the Court deems “just and proper.”

There were some deficiencies in the filing that have now been satisfied.

In our initial report, we didn’t know what the details were and we still don’t know all the specifics. In an amended stipulation filed December 19, this stood out:

This settlement between the Debtor and Aftershock does not involve a transfer of cash or other property to or from the Debtor’s bankruptcy estate.

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Diamond and AfterShock Dismiss Their Claims

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In a filing on December 12, Diamond and Aftershock has dismissed their claims and counterclaims against each other. The lawsuit was launched September 9 and concerns the consigned goods of AfterShock’s that Diamond still has. Diamond has been fighting to be able to sell the consigned inventory and pay down its debt in its chapter 11 process.

In a hearing, Diamond had a stay put on its ability to sell the goods and was given the option to submit claims against individual publishers. Diamond then launched 32 different cases against individual publishers fighting over goods.

On December 5, AfterShock filed a counterclaim against Diamond asking for a judgement that the stock is AfterShock’s and that there’s issues with what Diamond is attempting as AfterShock is going through their own chapter 11 process which has its own stay in place.

AfterShock was looking to be awarded damages, including attorneys’ fees, punitive damages, and other relief the Court deems “just and proper.”

Details of the dismissal have not be released by the two companies.

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A deficiency in the above motion was filed today as it doesn’t meet all of the process needed to file it but it’ll likely be corrected by the due date to do so.

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AfterShock’s Move Out of Chapter 11 Takes a New Positive Step

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AfterShock

While Diamond Comic Distributor’s Chapter 11 announcement has made headlines this year, a different company declared Chapter 11 and working on its plan ever since. AfterShock Comics along with its sister company Rive Gauche Television filed for Chapter 11 Protection in December 2022 with assets and liabilities both between $10 million and $50 million and somewhere between 200 and 999 creditors. In April we brought the news of their plan to exit Chapter 11 which would pay back their creditors and then in May their official announcement in moving forward.

While Diamond’s situation has been full of drama, twists, and turns, AfterShock’s process has mostly flown under the radar. And while it’s taken a while, it seems like it’ll end in a positive way where creditors will get paid what they’re owed and AfterShock will again be putting out comics.

Since then, it’s mostly been fees paid out to advisors approved by the court as well as required notices, but there was a bit of movement on August 15.

Notice -Notice Of Entry Of Order Confirming Plan Proponents Amended Joint Combined Disclosure Statement And Chapter 11 Plan Of Reorganization Dated April 7, 2025, As Amended (POS Attached)- Filed by Debtor AfterShock Comics, LLC (RE: related document(s)589 Order Confirming Plan Proponents’ Amended Joint Combined Disclosure Statement And Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization Dated April 7, 2025, As Amended (BNC-PDF) (Related Doc # 588) Signed on 5/20/2025 (PG)). (Kwong, Jeffrey) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

From my understanding, it’s a thumbs up to move forward with the plan and having read through the document, there’s minor tweaks that needed to be made. AfterShock can begin to operate as normal once the “effective date” comes. There’s a status conference on November 12 with the court with a report that needs to be filed by them before October 29.

After nearly three years, it all sounds like positive steps for AfterShock to return to comic shelves.

AfterShock and Rive Gauche reveal their Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization and It Seems to Try Make Things Right?

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AfterShock

While Diamond Comic Distributor’s Chapter 11 announcement has made headlines this year, a different company declared Chapter 11 and working on its plan ever since. AfterShock Comics along with its sister company Rive Gauche Television filed for Chapter 11 Protection in December 2022 with assets and liabilities both between $10 million and $50 million and somewhere between 200 and 999 creditors.

Ever since that announcement, the companies have been working on a plan as to what to do and after a lot of delays and “still working on a plan,” there finally is one.

The plan was officially released on April 8 and we received a physical copy this past weekend, we’re listed as creditors. It’s a thick packet with a lot of information, far more than just the plan of paying back creditors.

After pouring over the over 100 pages, the plan seems like it actually wants to make right as opposed to paying pennies for what’s owed.

AfterShock Bankruptcy Court Document

Here’s the takeaway:

  • Counsel and individuals hired to manage the process would received 7.1% of what’s owed
  • Present and Former Employees Holding Allowed Wage Claims would be 40% of what’s owed and would be paid within 9 months of the Effective Date
  • Secured claims totaling roughly $12 million would receive full payment through a new ARC Secured Note which will be paid in full 4 years following the Effective Date at 10% per annum interest rate
  • Unsecured Claims, totally roughly $9.979 million would be paid off 42 months following the Effective Date and 39 months for Allowed Content Creator and Post-Petition Royalty Claims. There’s also interest on those General Unsecured Claims at the rate of 5% per annum
  • Unsecured Claim Insiders seem to be paid last with $4,150,402.20 owed and would also receive 5% interest per annum until Paid in Full. That group would be paid last

The plan will be paid with AfterShock/Rive Gauche’s cash on hand and any business operations after. There’s mention of a new company that would take over all of the debtor’s interest and would become the 100% parent of the reorganized debtors. A board of seven members would then oversee the new company but have no day-to-day management control. A new Chief Restructuring Officer would oversee the payments.

From reading this, and I’m not an expert, it would seem like the creditors (ie creators) would receive the full money owed plus interest, it’ll just take close to 4 years to pay it all off.

The plan needs to still be approved and those who are able to may vote in favor or against it with those not in favor needing to send back the form stating as such by May 2, 2025.

Underrated: Animosity Volume One: The Wake

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This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: Animosity Volume One: The Wake.

Animosity Volume One: The Wake

I’ve had this trade sat in my digital to-read pile for quite some time, and this week I finally got around to reading it. I could give you my take on the central premise, but it sounds so much better straight from the horses mouth (because I basically reworded this the first time I wrote the opening):

“One day, for no reason, the Animals woke up. They started thinking. They started talking. They started taking REVENGE. Collecting the first four issues of the best-selling series, plus the special one-shot issue ANIMOSITY: THE RISE. 

The world is plunged into chaos as the newly-intelligent Animals fight humanity, and simply fight each other, for their own life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. In the midst of the turmoil is Jesse, an 11-year-old girl, and her dog, Sandor, who is devoted to her and her protection. One year after the incident, Jesse and Sandor begin a cross-country journey to find Jesse’s half-brother, Adam, who is living in San Francisco.”

To be honest I actually went into this series knowing only the bare minimum about it, so when the animals woke up I was actually taken aback by the entire thing. I know. The entire premise of the comic caught me off guard when it happened on the opening few pages of the story. It makes me laugh a little, too.

Centering around Jesse and her beloved dog Sandor’s relationship, and his overwhelming desire to protect her because she loves him. He’s one of the few animals not to hate humanity, and others who are still somewhat fond of humans are typically those who weren’t abused or mistreated in any way – and sadly, humans have done far too much of that in our time on this planet. Marguerrite Bennett‘s script is remarkable; she touches on the bigger impact of animals gaining sentience and the political and economical ramifications of this often in passing but with enough detail to answer some of the questions you’ll be having regarding food sources, population control… there’s a lot to set up in this trade, and for the most part the four issues of the main series collected here succeed in doing that.

There is a time jump that some may find jarring, but as with  any time jumps it will give us something to flash back to in subsequent trades and issues.

Artistically, Rafael De La Torre and Rob Schwager deliver. Their animals are able to convey the requisite emotions and atmospheric design needed to pull you from page to gorgeous page. Animosity‘s first volume is remarkably solid and enjoyable – and well worth checking out.

Join us next week where there will doubtless be another movie, series, comic or comic related thing discussed that is, for whatever reason, Underrated.

AfterShock Media Announces an International Deal for Adam Glass’ The Normals

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AfterShock Comics and AfterShock Media have announced that The Normals from writer Adam Glass has  been optioned by Werner Films for Australia’s SBS. The series will be executive produced by Werner Films’ Joanna Werner and Stuart Menzies alongside Glass and AfterShock’s Jon Kramer, Carrie Stein, and Lee Kramer. Louise Fox will showrun the series and Rive Gauche Television, an AfterShock Media company, will distribute it worldwide. 

The Normals is a rush-of-blood-to-the-head series centered around one man who finds out his perfect life and family may all be an illusion, setting him on a crusade to save what he believes is real and loves with all his being, while having to save the world in the process as forces seek to destroy him. 

The comic series was originally released in 2017 and featured art by Dennis Calero. It ran for six issues.

The Normals

Diamond Announces a New Deluxe Tier

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Diamond Comic Distributors

Diamond Comic Distributors has announced that it has established a new tier among its publishing partners. The Deluxe Tier, which includes AfterShock Comics, Titan Comics, ABLAZE Publishing, and Frank Miller Presents (FMP), features preferred coverage in the PREVIEWS catalog and expanded support on the PREVIEWS world website, along with exclusive distribution agreements.

The Deluxe Tier spotlights robust vendor support in recognition of AfterShock, Titan, ABLAZE, and FMP’s success as top tier comic book and graphic novel publishers. Diamond will continue to be the vendor’s exclusive distributor to the comic book specialty market.

The Deluxe Tier vendors represent a diverse range of the storytelling in comics today. AfterShock Comics is a creatively driven comic book publisher led by a team of life-long comics professionals, dedicated to working with some of the brightest stars in the creative community to tell original, uniquely compelling stories – through comics, graphic novels and beyond. Titan Comics offers astounding comics and graphic novels from the world’s greatest film, television and gaming licensed properties. Alongside creator-owned comic books from new and world-renowned talent, Titan’s imprints include Titan Magazines (Marvel, Star Wars and Star Trek), Hard Case Crime, Titan Manga and the soon to be launched Titan Nova for Y/A and Middle Grade as well as the Conan the Barbarian publishing program in 2023.

ABLAZE is an independent publisher of original comic books, crowdfunded titles, and art books with a focus on increasing diversity, amplifying the voices of their creators, and bringing new creators into the fold. Frank Miller Presents focuses on creating and curating a line of comics to capture Miller’s distinct visual style while also working with a range of talent, from comics veterans to rising artists.

In September, Diamond’s PREVIEWS catalog and PREVIEWS world website will showcase AfterShock, Titan, ABLAZE, and FMP’s new status as the companies move to a new “Deluxe Comics” section, highlighting their offerings to comic shop retailers and customers. Additionally, Diamond is expanding their waiver of reorder fees beyond Image Comics and Dark Horse to include all Premier Publishers, adding BOOM Studios and Dynamite Entertainment, as well as these new Deluxe publishers.

Underrated: Animosity Volume One: The Wake

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This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: Animosity Volume One: The Wake.

animosity.jpgI’ve had this trade sat in my digital to-read pile for quite some time, and this week I finally got around to reading it. I could give you my take on the central premise, but it sounds so much better straight from the horses mouth (because I basically reworded this the first time I wrote the opening):

“One day, for no reason, the Animals woke up. They started thinking. They started talking. They started taking REVENGE. Collecting the first four issues of the best-selling series, plus the special one-shot issue ANIMOSITY: THE RISE. 

The world is plunged into chaos as the newly-intelligent Animals fight humanity, and simply fight each other, for their own life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. In the midst of the turmoil is Jesse, an 11-year-old girl, and her dog, Sandor, who is devoted to her and her protection. One year after the incident, Jesse and Sandor begin a cross-country journey to find Jesse’s half-brother, Adam, who is living in San Francisco.”

To be honest I actually went into this series knowing only the bare minimum about it, so when the animals woke up I was actually taken aback by the entire thing. I know. The entire premise of the comic caught me off guard when it happened on the opening few pages of the story. It makes me laugh a little, too.

Centering around Jesse and her beloved dog Sandor’s relationship, and his overwhelming desire to protect her because she loves him. He’s one of the few animals not to hate humanity, and others who are still somewhat fond of humans are typically those who weren’t abused or mistreated in any way – and sadly, humans have done far too much of that in our time on this planet. Marguerrite Bennett‘s script is remarkable; she touches on the bigger impact of animals gaining sentience and the political and economical ramifications of this often in passing but with enough detail to answer some of the questions you’ll be having regarding food sources, population control… there’s a lot to set up in this trade, and for the most part the four issues of the main series collected here succeed in doing that.

There is a time jump that some may find jarring, but as with  any time jumps it will give us something to flash back to in subsequent trades and issues.

Artistically, Rafael De La Torre and Rob Schwager deliver. Their animals are able to convey the requisite emotions and atmospheric design needed to pull you from page to gorgeous page. Animosity‘s first volume is remarkably solid and enjoyable – and well worth checking out.

 

Join us next week where there will doubtless be another movie, series, comic or comic related thing discussed that is, for whatever reason, Underrated.

Review: Campisi: The Dragon Incident #4

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A mob fixer has to deal with a dragon that’s come to the territory. Do you need to know anything more than that? It’s the mob vs. a dragon! Campisi #4 brings this volume to a close very nicely and sets up what’s hopefully next.

Story: James Patrick
Art: Marco Locati
Color: Marco Locati
Letterer: Rachel Deering

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

comiXology
Kindle
TFAW

AfterShock Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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