Link: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17705

Robert Kirkman, writer of Marvel Zombies and Ultimate X-Men for Marvel comics has left the company in a whirlwind of controversy that has shaken the industry to it's core.

For those of you that haven't heard about the Kirkman Manifesto check out the link attached to this blog or click here:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17705

For those too lazy to do so here;'s a quick rundown on the series of events.
1. 30th July 2008 Robert Kirkman announces at San Diego Comicon that he has left Marvel Comics to become a partner at Image Comics, home to his successful creator owned titles Walking Dead and Invincible.
2. 13th August 2008 The Kirkman Manifesto video hits the net via Comic Book Resources (CBR). Kirkman lays out a call to arms to creators to publish more creator-owned titles and leave their DC/Marvel toys behind. He then goes on to suggest that DC/Marvel should fill this vacuum of exodusing creators by encouraging new talent to focus on younger content to bring a new younger audience into comics, leaving the more mature content to companies like Image and Dark Horse.
3. 14th August 2008 Kirkman explains his view on Word Balloon, the comic book conversation podcast, get it here:
http://wordballoon.blogspot.com/
4. 20th August 2008 Brian Michael Bendis (Bendis) a long time supporter and friend to Robert Kirkman (and coincedently Marvel's go-to-guy, currently writing Secret Invasion) responds to Kirkman's opinions expressed both in his manifesto and his Word Balloon interview, get it here:
http://wordballoon.blogspot.com/

Follow up:

Now Sidekicks it's time to have my say, and if there's one good thing to come from 'Kirkman-Gate', it's this, an open dialogue about the current state of the industry.
Robert Kirkman has made some intersting points but I just can't get on board with his way of looking at things. Firstly I feel his approach was hampered and lacked credability due to the timing of the announcement. It may be cynical of me to suggest this is all a publicity stunt to promote his new ventures at Image but it cannot be ignored. His intentions made be honourable but come on Robert, you must be able to see how it looks?
Secondly, I do not see why creators cannot have a foot in each pond, both creator-owned works and the 'big two'. Bendis made the point that working in both fields allows creators to exercise both sides of their brain, making them better at their craft. I can't agree more, sometimes having to work with someone else's properties where you are tied to an editorial mandate produces lateral creativity and some of the greatest stories we've seen. Chris Claremont, who in his day was one of the finest writers working in comics, was always having to be reigned in by editorial, the Dark Phoenix saga would've had Jean Grey live had it not been for editorial interference. Creators have a home at Marvel, it's called Icon and they do fine work. Sure it may be based on the image model and is used as a way to entice creators to stay at Marvel but the success of books like Criminal, Kick Ass and Powers cannot be ignored. DC has Vertigo for it's mature readers, a place where some of the finest stories ever writtenhave been birthed.

The content in Marvel and DC books is possibly more 'adult' than the golden age but we don't live in the golden age, children are more 'adult' now, kids get it, they aren't stupid. There are many teen and children orientated books at both of the big companies, some of which I love, Runaways, Young Avengers and Teen Titans to name just a few, these are well written titles specifically aimed at a younger audience.
Creator owned titles are great and I'd love to see more, and I will still be picking up Walking Dead as I think it's one of the best titles on sale at the moment but I'd like to suggest an addendum to the Kirkman Manifesto; it is not the job of Marvel and DC to help the smaller companies by handing them all their customers, the impetus is on the smaller companies to catch up, you want us, you need to win us over, make us need to read your comics. If you write it, we will come.