We've been telling you how Image Comics has been worried about the rise of rival Boom Studios over the last year and how Erik Larsen, one of Image's founders and current CFO, struck back rather publicly when ComicBook's James Viscardi suggested that Boom or IDW might overtake Image in the comic shop market.

Days later we saw all the new discussion around Boom drive a sell out of Alienated #1 from Si Spurrier and Christian Wildgoose . It continues the trend of talent from Image defecting to Boom and finding huge success, though Erik would no doubt point out that Cry Havoc, launched during Image's peak, ranks as Spurrier's biggest creator-owned launch. For now.

But today, the original Image comics defector to Boom unleashed a tweet thread that caught a lot of folks by surprise. That's right, Boom founder and CEO Ross Richie (co-creator of Image Comics' Dominion with Keith Giffen in 2003) finally broke his silence on the shots fired publicly from Image by…praising them?

Retailers complain publishers flood the market. Comic shops get crowded & confused. We need to listen to retailers. Retailers are right. @boomstudios listened & cut 13% in 2019 & our creator-owned launches went UP +63%! Other publishers' launches dropped -49%. pic.twitter.com/teSVT2a8Cb — Ross Richie (@rossrichie) February 10, 2020

In 2019 @boomstudios shot up to #4 next to @imagecomics Image's Eric Stephenson gave a great interview https://t.co/GUeC6yT4am

Eric is one of the smartest, best publishers comics has – FULL STOP. I have nothing but respect & admiration for him, his team, & the founders of Image pic.twitter.com/Ave8fSUm20 — Ross Richie (@rossrichie) February 10, 2020

Eric explains @imagecomics cut output as well. I congratulate them for the courage to cut. The two biggest creator-owned publishers of 2019 both cut. If you cut your output your sales will grow. If you listen to retailers, they will tell you what you need to do. pic.twitter.com/q3lusAlIhc — Ross Richie (@rossrichie) February 10, 2020

BOOM! Studios & @ImageComics are leading the industry in cutting output and I invite everyone to discover what we've learned. @boomstudios pic.twitter.com/wFP4nPn7sv — Ross Richie (@rossrichie) February 10, 2020

In a series of tweets, Richie explained that Boom's success comes down to listening to comic shop owners which led Boom to cut down the amount of books they published to better serve retailers, customers and the industry. It's something Richie praises Image head honcho Eric Stephenson for doing as well…before seemingly inviting the rival publisher to form an alliance to challenge every other major publisher in comics to follow suit.

Of course, Richie also doesn't mention that Image cut their own line by 30%, as Stephenson recently revealed, nor does he point out that Image had the best selling creator-owned launch of the year in Undiscovered Country #1, but who am I to let that get in the way of a good Twitter thread?

This isn't the first time Richie has taken to social media to put comic shops first – in fact, he was the one behind the popular #BoostYourLCS movement in 2017.

We'll be watching to see what else Richie says and if Image responds – certainly this is the kind of message of solidarity that's in line with the values they espouse. But will they be open to teaming up with Boom…or will a different Image founder or partner take their war (that they publicly started) with Boom to the next level?

It's almost as if ComicsPRO's annual meeting is almost upon us…