Well-Known Comic Artist Adam Ellis Calls Out Filmmakers Who “Plagiarized” His Work

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With success comes imitation—and it really can be the highest form of flattery… if it’s done right. Unfortunately, the line between inspiration and plagiarizing can become blurred when there’s poor communication. This is one of those times and it involves webcomic legend Adam Ellis whose cartoons you’re very likely to have seen in your social media feeds.

Ellis, who has over 1.7 million followers on Instagram alone, detailed how co-directors Andrew Butler and James Wilson allegedly ripped off (or were strongly inspired by, depending on your point of view) one of his comics for their movie ‘Keratin.’ Ellis explained all about the filmmakers’ poor communication with him and their seeming unwillingness to at least credit him.

Several festivals have already pulled their support for Butler and Wilson’s film. The co-directors had previously overtly told Ellis that their short movie was inspired by one of his comics; however, they appear not to have asked for his permission and allegedly ignored his further concerns. Even though Ellis has been contacted by some lawyers, he doesn’t plan to pursue litigation against the pair. Ellis also told Newsweek that even if the filmmakers had asked for permission, he wouldn’t have given it to them.

Both Butler and Wilson appear to have completely shut down all of their social media accounts and other ways for the public to contact them.

Well-known comic artist Adam Ellis claims that two filmmakers plagiarized his comic to make their short film ‘Keratin’

Image credits: Adam Ellis

Ellis gave examples of how the film copies his comic shot for shot

Image credits: Adam Ellis

Image credits: adamtots

He also shared how the filmmakers contacted him about having been inspired by his comic. However, Ellis wasn’t too happy they didn’t ask for his permission and didn’t credit him properly

Image credits: Adam Ellis

The backlash against Butler and Wilson has been pretty huge. Their movie has already been downvoted to heck on IMDb—it holds an aggregate score of exactly 1 star out of 10.

However, not everyone thinks that Ellis is in the right. For one, some claim that he doesn’t appear that he has proof that his idea is completely unique. While some internet users said that it might be better to call Butler and Wilson’s work derivative rather than straight-up plagiarizing. In this particular case, however, there isn’t a shadow of a doubt that Butler and Wilson were directly inspired by Ellis’ comic.

But the idea that Ellis drew is something that plenty of people could have (and definitely have) come up with independently. With the internet helping more and more artists and creatives share their work, ideas are bound to repeat. It’s an offshoot of the simultaneous invention aka the multiple discovery phenomenon.

There’s nothing new under the sun, after all. And it’s a pretty comforting idea that we’re all very alike. Though it does make being completely original far more difficult. What’s more, with how open and accessible the internet is, everyone’s constantly getting inspired by everyone else and working with multiple ideas that they found online. It’s pretty much impossible to live in a bubble where you don’t have access to such inspiration unless you unplug from tech and head off into the woods.

But, at the end of the day, this story is a lesson about the importance of asking for permission and giving proper credit to artists. How those artists respond to inspiring other creative folks is another thing entirely. What do you think of the situation, dear Pandas? Are there clear black and white sides to this story or do you see the situation in shades of gray? Do you think all of this drama could’ve been avoided with better communication? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. And remember—always give proper credit where it’s due.