“Don’t buy the book before knowing its problematic origins” is the prompt that has been circulating among fans since the first announcement of the “FAME: BTS” comic by TidalWave. Apparently, worldwide fans of BTS are now forming a boycott against the TidalWave comic after knowing the book has an allegedly problematic origin. So, what really happened behind the “FAME: BTS” comic by TidalWave boycott? Join us as we unravel all the issues and controversies behind the new BTS comic.
“FAME: BTS” Comic by TidalWave Under Boycott from Worldwide Fans Due to Severe Issues
The new BTS comic, “FAME: BTS” by TidalWave, is now facing a massive boycott from worldwide fans due to its issue and problematic origin.
Immediately after the first announcement of “FAME: BTS” by TidalWave on January 5, fans began raising unexpected issues against the comic book. According to BTS’s worldwide fans, the origin of the “FAME: BTS” comic by TidalWave has been questionable and problematic. Not only that, but the people involved in the projects also have a long history of controversies that fans deemed unacceptable.
That is why before deciding to buy this new BTS comic book, fans are urging the public to research and find out more about the issues behind the “FAME: BTS” comic by TidalWave.
Here is your 1st look inside the "FAME: BTS" Comic book! Out tomorrow!
— TidalWave Comics (@TidalWaveProd) January 9, 2024
FAME: BTS
On Amazon now: https://t.co/RFznUAvdK8
You can also get the exclusive covers from https://t.co/9AS2ZFONYf#BTS #kpop #COMICS #Manga #animelover pic.twitter.com/vRxf4ZXKbw
Shocking Reasons Behind The Severe Issues and Controversies
Fans have been flooding social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) with shocking revelations about the issues and controversy surrounding “FAME: BTS” comic by TidalWave. According to these Twitter posts, there are several imminent reasons why BTS fans must not purchase the new BTS comic book.
Unauthorized and Unofficial Project
The first and most important reason behind the issues and controversy surrounding the “FAME: BTS” comic by TidalWave is its unauthorized origin.
Apparently, this new BTS comic is an independent project entirely unrelated to BIGHIT and BTS. Therefore, no signs of promotions from either BTS or the company’s official social media account even days after its announcement.
Normally, when BTS is working on an official collaboration with an artist, they will officially announce the project through its social media accounts.
wherever u r (feat. V of BTS)
— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) December 26, 2023
2023.12.29. 9PM (PST)
2023.12.30. 2PM (KST)#whereverur #V #뷔 @whoisumi pic.twitter.com/J4a74eogai
However, there seem to be no movements from BTS and BIGHIT involving the new BTS comic. Hence, fans started asking whether the project was official.
TidalWave Comics Statement
Unfortunately, TidalWave Comics answered with an unexpected statement. They believed they had the right to create the BTS comic book without copyright issues. And that was simply because BTS is a public figure.
So, their stance is we have the "right" because BTS are famous, to use their IP for our own gain. Despite ALL the laws that say otherwise. You wanna know what ARMY? We are their target audience. So we give them NO CLICKS, NO VIEWS, NO ENGAGEMENT, NO FREE PROMO pic.twitter.com/Ub3pWX5iLx
— ???? ⁷ ⟭⟬ BTS ⟬⟭ connected to 7G since ²⁰¹³ (@lsgrlr) January 5, 2024
From IG
— NNK⁷ (mostly ia) (@nahnahk2) January 5, 2024
Please spread the word on other platforms that we do not support the unauthorized and unlicensed comic. We also don’t support or condone DTs either. Personally, haven’t seen any, they have their DMs closed atp but that doesn’t mean there can’t be bad ?s or imposters. pic.twitter.com/apKTahT4G5
Therefore, since TidalWave Comics is basically monetizing BTS without legal permission from the company, fans decided to boycott the “FAME: BTS” comic. That is especially when HYBE is currently working on various legal actions against unauthorized products concerning BTS.
“Leveraging an artist’s intellectual property without charge, especially when they are serving in the military, is significantly disrupting the entertainment industry and its efforts in finding and developing talent.”
HYBE.
ARMY, BH has already warned us "not to get adversely affected by purchasing unauthorized […] product packages that illegally use the artist's IP".
— ????? ⁷?? (@BaseLineWoo) January 5, 2024
? https://t.co/NcmItd1R27 pic.twitter.com/jAXe9X7anN
The Writer’s Problematic Background
Secondly, among issues behind the “FAME: BTS” comic by TidalWave is the problematic background of the writer, Eric M. Esquivel.
Not only has the “FAME: BTS” comic by TidalWave been circulating illegally without copyright permission from BIGHIT and BTS, but fans also found that the writer, Eric Esquivel, has been canceled by the industry due to a severe history of sexual and emotional abuse.
BTS was not the first artist with whom the writer has encountered issues. His previous work concerning American singer Taylor Swift also received massive backlash.
— ⟭⟬Indigo Gwen?⟬⟭⁷⁼¹ ᴮᴱ ᴾʳᵒᵒᶠ?OT7 (@ARMY4LIFE84) January 5, 2024
Before I work, anyone looking at buying that comic book, don’t. Full stop. Do not buy it. Search the dude’s name. FFS, the trigger warnings!! Apparently, he’s a known SA from the comic community. These screenshots about the TS version sent me down a rabbit hole. It’s bad. pic.twitter.com/iqwosKnXsv
— Rafranz ⁷ (@rafranzdavis) January 5, 2024
Alleged Offensive Statements on BTS Military Service
Not only did his problematic background become a massive issue, but Eric M. Esquivel delivered statements that allegedly offended BTS, the artist from whom he illegally profited.
In a recent interview, Eric Esquivel joked about BTS putting their claims as “Bulletproof Boy Scouts” to test in the actual military service. Fans believe making a joke about people who are actually serving their country in military is highly inappropriate.
WTAF @TidalWaveProd?!?!?!
— ???NotAWonderWoman⁷ (@onmy9thlife) January 5, 2024
You think enforced military enlistment is something to make glib jokes about??
And even worse, doing so whilst trying to profit off their backs seemingly without their permission/ involvement?!?!
This ARMY won't be giving you any of my money. pic.twitter.com/dDhZKOUCiY
Blocking Copyright Inquiries and Publicly Offending BTS Fans
Worse, along with allegedly offending and illegally profiting from BTS, TidalWave Comics has also offended many BTS fans.
Many BTS fans are aware that the “FAME: BTS” comic by TidalWave is an unauthorized project. Therefore, they repeatedly inquired and reminded the company about the authenticity of “FAME: BTS” and its copyright permission.
However, instead of processing the copyright and trademark permission, TidalWave has been blocking these inquiries. Worse, the company has publicly offended BTS fans, calling them bots hired by BIGHIT / HYBE.
In addition to TidalWave Comics, BTS fans also noticed offensive statements from “FAME: BTS” writer Eric M. Esquivel. He had reportedly accused BTS fans, implying them of being delusional and comparing them to a cult in the ‘60s.
Calling us young (shouldn’t be an insult, but his type ALWAYS try to make it one—& regardless that many of us aren’t considered young), dumb, desperate, delusional and a cult all because we question if he & the company have permission from the artist before blindly supporting + https://t.co/bCmVbted6l
— NNK⁷ (mostly ia) (@nahnahk2) January 6, 2024
“FAME: BTS” Comic by TidalWave: Is It REALLY A Biography?
Finally, while TidalWave Comics claimed that “FAME: BTS” is a biography of the global megastar, its authenticity reportedly remains questionable. Fans also believed the comic’s dubious content did not represent what a biography should be.
Look at the way they treat we apparently think of their time in the ? pic.twitter.com/g3srl44bH1
— Noo⁷⁼¹ : ˙८ ˙ ? (@nikki4noo) January 5, 2024
With its problematic origins and unauthorized distributions, worldwide fans plan to continue the boycott until BIGHIT makes an official announcement regarding the new BTS comic.
— NNK⁷ (mostly ia) (@nahnahk2) January 5, 2024
If you want a BTS comic, 7 Fates: Chakho is official. If you want a BTS biography, Beyond The Story: 10-Year Record of BTS is not only official but is their story told by them. Please, don't buy that unofficial garbage comic. pic.twitter.com/O5BREv89YY
— ⟭⟬Indigo Gwen?⟬⟭⁷⁼¹ ᴮᴱ ᴾʳᵒᵒᶠ?OT7 (@ARMY4LIFE84) January 6, 2024
So, what do you think about these issues behind the boycott of the “FAME: BTS” comic by TidalWave? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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Source: Twitter, Wikipedia, Entertainment Weekly.
If the author and publisher had only addressed civil questions about BTS IP without snark, arrogance and escalated with insults, this could have gone a different direction. The drama hit a peak when the publisher claimed that ARMY is hired by BTS to leave fake comments. That would be a dream come true for the fans to be employed by BH. The publisher claimed that bots were attacking Tidal Wave social media. They locked down to any account "behind a Seven", never showing any of the claimed death threats. Everything you wrote about here is accurate. I only wish that you had screen shots of when the publisher claimed an account on Facebook was a Chinese bot because they posted (not to the publisher) using Chinese characters. ARMY is pro at sleuthing and found the account was genuine. The account shared a recipe in Chinese.
There's also a "person" that has been posting in fan groups that has been promoting it and promoting not preaching hate about the company. When you dig into it more it's clear the profile was made by the owner of Tidalwave.
?