Part 2/10:
To understand the current upheaval, it's crucial to grasp what Image Comics was built upon. Founded in 1992 by a group of top-tier creators — including McFarlane, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, and others — the company was envisioned as a haven for creator-owned titles, absolute creative freedom, and financial independence. Unlike the traditional Big Two (Marvel and DC), which often exerted editorial control over creator work, Image was designed to empower artists and writers to retain rights and control over their creations.