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AfterShock Comics bankruptcy: Almost all of the creators, owners, conventions, press, listed as being owed money by the comic publisher
All the creators, the staff, the owners, and more who are owed money by AfterShock, according to AfterShock
In the fallout of AfterShock Comics bankruptcy filing on December 19, much has come out about what led up to the situation, as well as what might come next. But what is overlooked in here are the individuals and companies who are owed money by AfterShock - by AfterShock's own admission even, in court filings.
With that in mind, Popverse has assembled the full list of those owed money by AfterShock Comics according to its December 19, 2022 bankruptcy filing - with context added by us in terms of groupings, company type, and more, based on what we could find. We look forward to updating this story as people are paid what they are owed.
But that brings up another situation...
Who is owed money by AfterShock Comics that weren't listed on its bankruptcy filings
Popverse has confirmed that additional individuals and companies are owed money, besides who and what are listed on the December 19 bankruptcy filing.
And in one case, AfterShock's seemingly biggest outstanding creditor - Access Road Capital, with its $13m+ loan which AfterShock has stated in court filings is the reason it decided to file for bankruptcy - was listed as a creditor by AfterShock, but not among its biggest.
What about those owed money by AfterShock Comics' sister company, Rive Gauche?
At this time we have not factored in the listed creditors in the Rive Gauche bankruptcy filing, instead focusing on those from AfterShock Media's comic business, AfterShock Comics.
AfterShock Comics bankruptcy: AfterShock Owners owed money
When a company launches, it uses money - in many cases, money provided by its owners. That's no different with AfterShock, with funds provided by its initial owners, as well as subsequent owners brought in later on.
While it's to be expected that CEO Jon Kramer and President Lee Kramer (yes, they're related) own portions of the company, we have also confirmed that co-founders/staff Joe Pruett and (former staff) Mike Marts are also shareholders, and among those owed - both individually and through companies they own.
According to AfterShock's December 19 bankruptcy filing, one of its biggest unsecured creditors is AS Comics LTD - a UK-based company owned by Atlantic Screen Company (AfterShock Comics president Lee Kramer is on its board), an investment fund which owns a minority stake in AfterShock.
AfterShock Comics also lists AfterShock Comics (itself) as amongst the companies in which it owes money.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| AS Comics LTD | Comic company | $514,326.00 |
| AfterShock Comics, LLC | Publishing Company | Not Listed |
| Atlantic Screen Media | Investment Fund | Not Listed |
| Jawad Qureshi | Technology advisor & strategist | Not Listed |
| Joe Pruett | Publisher / chief creative officer / writer | Not Listed |
| Jonathan Kramer | Chief executive officer | Not Listed |
| Jon Kramer Distribution | Owned by Jonathan Kramer | Not Listed |
| Kramer Family Trust | Owned by Kramer family | Not Listed |
| Lee Andrew Kramer | President | Not Listed |
| Michael J. Marts | Former editor-in-chief | Not Listed |
| Bellatrix Publishing | Michael Marts' company | Not Listed |
| Rive Gauche Television | Television production, acquisition, distribution company | Not Listed |
| Rive Gauche Televison acctg | Television production, acquisition, distribution company | Not Listed |
AfterShock Comics bankruptcy: the AfterShock staff owed money
In addition to co-owners who are staff such as those listed above who are owed money, the December 19 AfterShock Comics bankruptcy filing revealed that two of the company's staff who aren't owners are owed money.
The company's executive VP of film & TV david Sigurani is also a creditor, to the amount of $78,000.
In addition, AfterShock Comics' design manager Charles Pritchett is owed an undisclosed amount of money, and Bonfire Agency - a company co-owned by AfterShock's senior VP of sales and marketing Steve Rotterdam, is also on the books as an unsecured creditor .
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| David Sigurani | Executive Vice President, Film & Television at AfterShock Media | $78,000.00 |
| Charles Pritchett | Design manager | Not Listed |
| Bonfire Agency LCC | Marketing and Advertising co-owned by Steve Rotterdam | Not Listed |
AfterShock Comics bankruptcy: the government departments and organizations owed money
Buried deep in the pages of AfterShock Comics' December 19 bankruptcy filing is a number of US federal and state governmental agencies in which the company says its owed money to.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Revenue Service | Federal tax department | $3672.26 *according to note filed by IRS |
| U.S. Trustee, San Fernando Valley | Bankruptcy component of the Justice Department | Not Listed |
| California Employment Dev. Dept. | Unemployment, disability, paid family leave benefits department | Not Listed |
| Bankruptcy Special Procedures Group | A section of the California Employment Development Department | Not Listed |
| Franchise Tax Board, Special Procedures - Insolvency | Income tax collection | Not Listed |
AfterShock Comics bankruptcy: the law firms owed money
A company of any significant size uses the services of lawyers, law firms, and companies dealing with legal issues, and AfterShock is no different. AfterShock has listed six law firms as unsecured creditors on its December 19 bankruptcy filing, including the law firm its using to represent it in the bankruptcy case, David L. Neale, Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Golubchik L.L.P.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Sacker Entertainment Law | Law Firm | $34,500.00 |
| Ziffren Brittenham LLP | Law Firm | $31,250.00 |
| Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP | Law Firm | $13,476.00 |
| David L. Neale, Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Golubchik L.L.P | Lawyer | Not Listed |
| Howard Steinberg, Greenberg Traurig LLC | Lawyer | Not Listed |
Aftershock Comics bankruptcy: the financial companies owed money
There are two financial companies which AfterShock claims it owes money to, in addition to its co-owner Atlantic Screen Media. American Express has filed a note that they are owed $76647.46, and the capital company Access Road Capital LLC is listed as a creditor, but with no amount given. Other court filings reveal that AfterShock owes $13+ million to Access Road Capital, according to Access Road Capital and AfterShock.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| American Express | Credit Card Company | $76,647.46 *according to ntoe filed by American Express |
| Access Road Capital LLC | Capital Investor | Not Listed (see companion article) |
Aftershock Comics bankruptcy: accounting companies owed money
A company of this size needs accountants, and also independent auditors to review those books. For AfterShock, it seems to be with the Encino, California-based Rose Snyder & Jacobs LLP.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Snyder & Jacobs LLP | Accounting | $17,435.00 |
AfterShock Comics bankruptcy: the public relations, marketing, and branding companies owed money
There's making comics, and then communicating that those comics have been made. That is the work of public relations, marketing, and branding companies. In addition to its long-time publicist Aaron Marion (formerly a freelancer, now on staff as director of publicity), AfterShock has also used the services of public relations companies such as Public Haus.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| PublicHaus Communication LLC | Public Relations Agency | $25,000.00 |
| Fidelitas Development | Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations Company | $21,025.93 |
| Edward M. Catto (Bonfire Agency) | Marketing and Advertising | Not Listed |
| Modern Fanatic | Marketing | Not Listed |
| HelloMuller, Ltd | Design Studio owned by Tom Muller | Not Listed |
AfterShock Comics bankruptcy: the tech companies owed money
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline LLC/Studio System | Entertainment Data Company | Not Listed |
| Citinet Solutions, LLC | Software Designer | Not Listed |
| Naysel Entertainment | AV Company | Not Listed |
AfterShock Comics bankruptcy: the healthcare companies owed money
AfterShock employees have a health care plan through UnitedHealthCare, and AfterShock Comics' bankruptcy filing reveals that it is in arrears with the insurer for an undisclosed amount.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthCare | Health Insurance Company | Not Listed |
AfterShock Comics bankruptcy: the printers owned money
A key part of being a comics publisher is physically printing those comics, using the services of outside printing companies. According to AfterShock's bankruptcy filing, it is in arrears with five printing houses for over $400,000. It's unclear at this stage if these printers are continuing to print books for the company.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Imprimerie L'Empreinte | Printing Company | $398,887.00 |
| Imprimerie Solisco Inc | Printing Company | $29,263.00 |
| Artist Express | Printing Company | Not Listed |
| Printology LLC | Printing Company | Not Listed |
| Transcontinental | Printing Company | Not Listed |
Aftershock Comics bankruptcy: the comic stores and comic store owners owed money
Curiously, amidst the list of unsecured creditors in AfterShock Comics' bankruptcy filing are four comic book store owners individually, and two comic stores. One of the comic book stores, Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, also runs the beloved HeroesCon - so this inclusion may be for convention expenses rather than comic book store expenses.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Iwamasa (Midland) | Proprietor of comic store | Not Listed |
| Heroes Aren't Hard To Find | Comic store | Not Listed |
| Joshua Strausbaugh (Infinite Machine Comics) | Proprietor of comic store | Not Listed |
| Juan Navarro (Goblins Heist) | Proprietor of comic store | Not Listed |
| More Fun Inc. | Comic store | Not Listed |
| Slade Germain (Friendly Neighborhood Comics) | Proprietor of comic store | Not Listed |
Aftershock Comics bankruptcy: event companies owed money
The AfterShock Comics booth has been a familiar area at most major conventions in recent years. Seemingly out of those appearances however, AfterShock says it owes money to Comic-Con International: San Diego's parent company San Diego Comic Con, and also ReedPop - the company behind New York Comic Con, C2E2, Emerald City, and Popverse.
The third company listed here, Freeman, is a behind-the-scenes logistics company which many convention companies and convention centers use for set-up and facilitation of events.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Comic Convention | Convention Company | $17,000.00 |
| Reed Exhibitions | Media/Trade/Event Company **note, Reed Exhibitions is Popverse's parent company | Not Listed |
| Freeman | Trade Show, Exhibit, and Event Company | Not Listed |
Aftershock Comics bankruptcy: the retail companies owed money
AfterShock also owes several companies moeney relating to electronics, apparel, book displays, as well as nuts & fruit. Yes, nuts & fruit.
| Company Name | Company Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Tri Vision Int'l Inc. | Consumer Electronic Equipment | $118,399.00 |
| Amnesia Inc | Retail sale of clothing, furnishings, and accessories for men, women, and children. | Not Listed |
| City Diecutting - BookDisplays LLC | Book displays | Not Listed |
| OFS BrightWave LLC | FiberOptic Products | Not Listed |
| Trinity Peck | Nut and Fruit company | Not Listed |
AfterShock Comics bankruptcy: the creators owed money
In terms of number, the largest portion of unpaid creditors according to AfterShock Comics' bankruptcy filing is to the people who write, draw, letter, and color the comic books they publish. We have listed their names and roles below.
| Name | Creator Type | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Mattia Monaco | Artist | $18,000.00 |
| Emilio Pilliu | Artist | $15,500.00 |
| Alberto Locatelli | Artist | $15,000.00 |
| Inaki Miranda Paniagua | Artist | $10,010.00 |
| Damian Couceiro | Artist | $8,800.00 |
| Mark Englert | Artist | $8,600.00 |
| Alberto Alburquerque | Artist | Not Listed |
| Alberto Locatelli | Artist | Not Listed |
| Alex Cormack | Artist | Not Listed |
| Alex Segura | Writer | Not Listed |
| Andrea Mutti | Artist | Not Listed |
| Andrea Olimpieri | Artist | Not Listed |
| Andrew Clarke | Artist | Not Listed |
| Andrew T. MacDonald | Artist | Not Listed |
| Anthony Cleveland | Writer | Not Listed |
| Brian Hawkins | Writer | Not Listed |
| Brian Thomas Buccellato | Writer | Not Listed |
| Bryan Hill | Writer | Not Listed |
| Carlos Mangual | Letterer | Not Listed |
| Carmelo Zagaria | Artist | Not Listed |
| Chris O'Halloran | Colorist | Not Listed |
| Christopher W. Sebela | Writer | Not Listed |
| Cliff Richards | Artist | Not Listed |
| Corey Breen | Artist | Not Listed |
| Cullen Bunn | Writer | Not Listed |
| Damian Couceiro | Artist | Not Listed |
| Dan Abnett | Writer | Not Listed |
| David Hazan | Writer/Editor | Not Listed |
| David Sharpe | Letterer | Not Listed |
| Dee Cunniffe | Colorist | Not Listed |
| DJ Chavis | Colorist | Not Listed |
| Elliott Kalan | Writer | Not Listed |
| Emilio Pilliu | Artist | Not Listed |
| Erica Schultz | Writer | Not Listed |
| Eva de la Cruz | Colorist | Not Listed |
| Francesco Segala | Colorist | Not Listed |
| Francisco Biagini | Artist | Not Listed |
| Gioele Filippo | Artist | Not Listed |
| Hassan Ostmane-Elhaou | Letterer | Not Listed |
| Hayden Sherman | Artist | Not Listed |
| Jacob Phillips | Artist | Not Listed |
| Jamal Yaseem Igle | Artist | Not Listed |
| Jason Wordie | Colorist | Not Listed |
| Jeremy Haun | Artist | Not Listed |
| Joe Crohn | Writer | Not Listed |
| Joe Mulvey | Artist | Not Listed |
| John Lees | Writer | Not Listed |
| Jonathan Luna | Artist/Writer | Not Listed |
| Jose Holder | Artist | Not Listed |
| Jose Villarrubia | Artist | Not Listed |
| Joseph Eisma | Artist | Not Listed |
| Juan Ignacio Velez Gaitan | Colorist | Not Listed |
| Julio Martinez Perez | Artist | Not Listed |
| Kelly Fitzpatrick | Colorist | Not Listed |
| Kieran McKeown | Artist | Not Listed |
| Laurence Campbell | Artist | Not Listed |
| Lee Loughridge III | Artist/Colorist | Not Listed |
| Lorenzo Scaramella | Artist | Not Listed |
| Manuel Puppo | Colorist | Not Listed |
| Marcelo Maiolo | Colorist | Not Listed |
| Mark Englert | Artist | Not Listed |
| Mark Sable | Writer | Not Listed |
| Mark Torres | Artist | Not Listed |
| Matt Herms | Artist | Not Listed |
| Matt Krotzer | Letterer | Not Listed |
| Mattia Monaco | Artist | Not Listed |
| Mike Rooth | Artist | Not Listed |
| Nick Filardi | Artist | Not Listed |
| Nick Santora | Writer | Not Listed |
| Olivia Briggs | Writer | Not Listed |
| Orhan Umut Gokcek | Artist | Not Listed |
| Pablo Raimondi | Writer | Not Listed |
| Pat Olliffe | Artist | Not Listed |
| Patricio Delpeche | Colorist | Not Listed |
| Paul Azaceta | Artist | Not Listed |
| Paul Taegel | Writer | Not Listed |
| Paul Tobin | Writer | Not Listed |
| Peter Milligan Creations | Writer | Not Listed |
| Peter Tomasi | Writer | Not Listed |
| Piotr Kowalski | Writer | Not Listed |
| Rafael de Latorre | Artist | Not Listed |
| Rem Broo - Remus Brezeanu | Artist | Not Listed |
| Rex Ogle | Writer | Not Listed |
| Ricky Mammone | Writer | Not Listed |
| Rob Steen | Artist | Not Listed |
| Robert Schwager | Artist | Not Listed |
| Roberta Ingranata | Artist | Not Listed |
| Rod Gonzalez | Artist | Not Listed |
| Rodrigo Zayas | Artist | Not Listed |
| Roy Miranda | Writer | Not Listed |
| Russell James Wooton | Artist | Not Listed |
| Ryan Lindsay | Writer | Not Listed |
| Sal Cipriana | Artist | Not Listed |
| Sam Romesburg | Writer | Not Listed |
| Sami Kivela | Artist | Not Listed |
| Sara Colella | Artist | Not Listed |
| Shawn Lee | Artist | Not Listed |
| Simon Bowland | Letterer | Not Listed |
| Stefano Nesi | Artist | Not Listed |
| Stephan Nilson | Writer | Not Listed |
| Stephanie Phillips | Writer | Not Listed |
| Stephen Thompson | Artist | Not Listed |
| Steve Orlando | Writer | Not Listed |
| Szymon Kudranski | Artist | Not Listed |
| Tara O'Connor | Artist | Not Listed *Note, O'Connor has noted on Twitter that she has been paid monies owed |
| Taylor Esposito | Letterer | Not Listed |
| Tonci Zonjic | Artist | Not Listed |
| Tyler Boss | Artist | Not Listed |
| Valentina Bianconi | Colorist and Artist | Not Listed |
| Valentina Briski | Colorist | Not Listed |
Others owed by Aftershock
After tabulating and organizing all the above unpaid creditors listed by AfterShock Comics, there are additional individuals who we haven't at this time been able to determine what services they provided to AfterShock Comics. Regardless, they are owed money according to the company - and here they are.
| Individual's Name | Role | Unsecured Claim (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Pruett | Not Listed | |
| Brett Schenker | Not Listed | |
| Charles J. Burgio | Not Listed | |
| Cody Joy | Not Listed | |
| Daniel Lopez | Not Listed | |
| David Harris | Not Listed | |
| David Lawrence Johnson | Not Listed | |
| Denilson Santtos | Not Listed | |
| Dorothy LeAnn Sukman | Not Listed | |
| Eric O'Connor | Not Listed | |
| Grant DeArmitt | Not Listed | |
| Grant Woodard | Not Listed | |
| Howard Steven Lowe | Not Listed | |
| Jack E Maraglia | Not Listed | |
| Jacob Cannon | Not Listed | |
| James Gonyea | Not Listed | |
| Jeff A Spry | Not Listed | |
| John Siuntres | Not Listed | |
| Joshua Waldrop | Not Listed | |
| Justin Macuga | Not Listed | |
| Justin Owen Smith | Not Listed | |
| Kevin Wayne Smith | Not Listed | |
| Korey Bell | Not Listed | |
| Manuel Mendiola | Not Listed | |
| Mario Lorente Diez | Not Listed | |
| Matthew Sabatino | Not Listed | |
| Maxmiliano Dallo | Not Listed | |
| Michael J Clarke | Not Listed | |
| Michael Leonor | Not Listed | |
| Michael Lightell | Not Listed | |
| Mitchell S. Gurowitz | Not Listed | |
| Nate Townsend | Not Listed | |
| Peter Marsh | Not Listed | |
| Rae Hancock | Not Listed | |
| Ruben Rubine Cubiles | Not Listed | |
| Rudy Vela | Not Listed | |
| Russell Jacob Singer | Not Listed | |
| Ruth Reeves | Not Listed | |
| Sam Freeman | Not Listed | |
| Stephen Pruett | Not Listed | |
| Sullivan Fitzgerald | Not Listed | |
| Tom Novak | Not Listed |
Inside the AfterShock Comics bankruptcy - $10m+ owed, staff departures, more.
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