Artist Mark Raats Accuses Artist Of Stealing His Star Wars Artwork For An Official TOPPS Card Set
Artist Mark Raats accused Star Wars and TOPPS of stealing his artwork.
As first reported by Disney Star Wars Is Dumb, Raats took to Twitter to write, “If you really want to piss me off then steal my art, use it in an official TOPPS card set and pretend its your own.”
He added, “As if to irritate me even further its clear all this genius did is trace (badly) my comp – flipping it as if that would make it ok.”
He concluded, “Get your grubby shit together.”
If you really want to piss me off then steal my art, use it in an official TOPPS card set and pretend its your own.
As if to irritate me even further its clear all this genius did is trace (badly) my comp – flipping it as if that would make it ok.
Get your grubby shit together pic.twitter.com/bnC4FV2x5R
— Mark Raats (@mark_raats) March 15, 2020
TOPPS sketch artist KSGeekMan aka Ben AbuSaada on Twitter would take issue with other artists’ practices.
I share this because it is an irritating thing to see from fellow artists working on these cards. In the short time I’ve worked for Topps I’ve seen crazy stuff like printing on cards then drawing on top to make it look authentic. This stuff is pretty lame & hurts the hobby. https://t.co/9pYGPj2aAs
— KSGeekMan (@KSGeekMan) March 16, 2020
He would also claim that the artist accused of ripping off Raats’ work is Norvien Basio.
Norvien Basio
— KSGeekMan (@KSGeekMan) March 16, 2020
Raats would later clarify that his accusation had “nothing to do with either LucasFilm or Disney.”
He wrote, “This has nothing to do with either LucasFilm or Disney. It was an accredited artist who on his own and using a loophole in the official card submission process, used an official card to create the art. The artist posted a public apology and so I consider the issue closed.”
This has nothing to do with either LucasFilm or Disney. It was an accredited artist who on his own and using a loophole in the official card submission process, used an official card to create the art. The artist posted a public apology and so I consider the issue closed
— Mark Raats (@mark_raats) March 18, 2020
Raats added, “STOLEN ART. Please note this had nothing to do with either LucasFilm or Disney. It was an accredited artist who on his own used an official card to create the art. The artist posted a public apology & so I consider the issue now closed. Thank you to everyone for the support.”
STOLEN ART. Please note that this had nothing to do with either LucasFilm or Disney. It was an accredited artist who on his own used an official card to create the art. The artist posted a public apology & so I consider the issue now closed. Thank you to everyone for the support
— Mark Raats (@mark_raats) March 18, 2020
AbuSaada would also clarify his comments in regards to other TOPPS artists.
He stated, “Two things about this story. 1. To Mark Raats point, sketch artists aren’t “Topps” or Lucasfilm”, they are contracted for short term projects. 2. I’m not a self proclaimed Topps artist, I did projects for them. 3. There is no “calling out” of artists….”
Two things about this story. 1. To @mark_raats point, sketch artists aren’t “Topps” or Lucasfilm”, they are contracted for short term projects. 2. I’m not a “self proclaimed” Topps artist, I did projects for them. 3. There is no “calling out” of artists…. https://t.co/baHdZIb0Lt
— KSGeekMan (@KSGeekMan) March 18, 2020
He added, “I simply have a strong dislike for the practice taken in lifting other people’s artwork and passing off as your own. I also have an appreciation and love for the Topps SW brand. These practices should not be acceptable.”
I simply have a strong dislike for the practice taken in lifting other people’s artwork and passing off as your own. I also have an appreciation and love for the Topps SW brand. These practices should not be acceptable…..
— KSGeekMan (@KSGeekMan) March 18, 2020
This isn’t the first time Star Wars artists have been accused of ripping off another person’s artwork. Back in November, Star Wars: Allegiance #4 artist Luke Ross and Marvel Comics were accused of ripping off Mel Minatures’ creator Ruiz Anton’s model designs.
I am not one to stir up controversy and blame Disney/Lucasfilm for everything but this is disgusting. I didn’t like the ending of this for 2 reasons and now I hate it more. Lucasfilm needs to fire and hire better freelance comic artists.@mel_miniatures @EckhartsLadder pic.twitter.com/DnQL6uY7kr
— Stuart Lugsden (@AGuyWhoTweet5) November 13, 2019
Marvel Comics’ main Star Wars series and artists Jorge Molina and Salvador Larroca were also accused of using fan-made 3D art in the series.
**Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with further clarification from Ben AbuSaada. An update on Mark Raats accusations has also been included. The headline has also been updated.**
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