MARK WAID Asks Court to Dismiss RICHARD C. MEYER Lawsuit After ANTARTIC PRESS' Deposition
Mark Waid has submitted a new motion requesting Richard C. Meyer's lawsuit be dismissed due to what he and his legal team argue is a lack of jurisdiction and new relevant information revealed in a deposition by Antartic Press publisher Joe Dunn. You can read the request from Waid's lawyers here.
Meyer's lawsuit alleges Waid interfered in a publishing agreement Meyer had with Antarctic Press to publish and distribute his comic book Jawbreakers. Waid contacted Antarctic Press following the announcement of their intent to publish Jawbreakers, resulting in a conversation both parties allege was civil and in which Waid and Antarctic say Waid expressed concern over Meyer's online presence.
Operating under the ID "Diversity And Comics," Meyer produces videos and writing that he characterizes as "criticism," but which have caused controversy through language and content that has been perceived by many as targeting minority creators and critics with harassment.
However, Meyer alleges Waid made unspecified threats to Antarctic resulting in a Meyer being "blacklisted" from the mainstream comic book industry, blaming Waid directly for interfering with his efforts to publish his comic book, which was financed through a successful crowdfunding campaign.
In a deposition dated March 6, 2019 and linked to from Waid's Facebook page, Antarctic Press' Publisher Joe Dunn answered questions from Meyer's lawyers (which you can read in full here). The following excerpt seems to support Waid's claim that Dunn states that Waid didn't influence his decision to cancel plans to publish Meyer's Jawbreakers.
Q: And so, again, there were factors that led to Antarctic Press’s decision that had no relationship to Mark Waid; correct?
A: Yes.
Q: And those factors were concern that your staff and freelancers had expressed; correct?
A: Correct.
Q: And including Mr. Meyer’s own conduct; correct?
A: Correct.
Q: And those factors that led to AP’s decision are factors unrelated to Mark Waid; correct?
A: Correct.
Q: Did – you made the decision for Antarctic Press; correct?
A: Correct.
Q: And that was your decision; correct?
A: 100 percent.
Q: And you made that decision voluntarily?
A: Correct.
Q: And Mark Waid, did he do anything to prevent AP from publishing Mr. Meyer’s book?
A: No.
"Mark Waid is litigating this case as any defendant would to protect his legal rights as the law allows," Waid's lawyer Mark S. Zaid told Newsarama. "The matter is now before the Court which will decide whether the lawsuit continues in Texas. That the plaintiff's followers maniacally act as Internet lawyers is humorous, but irrelevant."
Meyer has not filed a response to Waid's latest filing.
