Well, I don't have issues with someone copying a style because such and such is your favorite artist. It's a given that when you get into comic book artist and start drawing yourself because of them, you will initially ape the style that you are a fan of. But this is a whole other ball of wax and as you stated, when the guy ripping is getting paid for it, they have to expect and take all the negative comments coming their way.

I just think as for Nick, he is young and was just not thinking along the lines of what he was really doing. Unfortunately, his rep is forever tarnished. The only way out is for him to buckle down, draw a series of books in his own style and imagination and hope that what he produces catches on to where fans can begin to start forgiving him.