Earlier this year, Archie Comics announced its collaboration with former basketball player turned entrepreneur and DJ, Shaquille O’Neal, to release VENGEANCE UNCHAINED: THE LEGEND OF BLACK CAESAR. This 5-issue mini-series would be penned by Eisner-nominated writer Stephanie Williams and drawn by CEO of Studio Skye-Tiger, Ray Anthony Height.
In the last few days, Shaq has certainly air-balled his way into controversy outside the realm of panels and pages as he attended the graduation at the FBI’s National Academy. He was also be named an honorary FBI special agent by FBI director Kash Patel.
“This session is historic- the FBI was honored to be joined by one of the best supporters of law enforcement in the country –@Shaq– who graduated with this session and became an honorary FBI Special Agent.” Director Patel would post on Twitter/X on Thursday, September 17th.
While this isn’t the first time Shaq has been associated with law enforcement, having been sworn in as a special officer or deputy at multiple police departments across the United States, this is very notable given the current political climate in the eyes of many of his fans.
As the outcry grew against the man who was once played DC’s STEEL,well-known content creator and retired veteran, Matthew Chappell, known online as ogbigmatt510, criticized Shaq for his actions, going as far as to throw his jerseys and shoes in the trash. The creator and other critics viewed Shaq’s actions as an alignment with the current U.S. administration. Shaq then personally sent direct messages to the content creator, taking shots at his employment and financial situation.
After more pushback for his actions, Shaq released a diss track directed at his perceived haters, accompanied by a generative AI music video. This was seen as in poor taste by many and showed a lack of understanding of the core issue.
Late Saturday night, Ray Anthony Height and Studio Skye-Tiger released a statement about the situation:
“Studio Sky-Tiger was founded to amplify voices. To be a safe, empowering space for women, LGBTQ+ creators, and people of color to learn and grow that are too often silenced or overlooked in this industry. We would like to thank everyone who has reached out to us with messages of concern regarding our involvement with a high-profile project bearing a certain celebrity’s name. Studio Sky-Tiger does not condone, endorse, or support the recent behaviors and actions of that individual in any way. Our core title, Midnight Tiger, was created around a singular truth: Standing up for what you believe in, even when you have to stand alone. We remain committed to our creators, our community, and our values. One of the first lessons we who have graduated from comic book fans to comic book creators learn is that ‘With great power, there must alos come great responsibility!’ In the studio, we know this is not a sometimes thing. It’s every day. With that said, Studio Sky-Tiger will continue to do our best in aligning ourselves with companies & individuals who share those same values and use their platforms to uplift, speak out, and help others. KEEP CREATING!”
There is no word on whether Shaq’s actions will have any effect on his upcoming signing of VENGEANCE UNCHAINED: THE LEGEND OF BLACK CAESAR at New York Comic Con next month, and there hasn’t been any statement made by Archie Comics about the events of the last few days. We will update this as the story develops.
