Looking at Valentino's Image: At Newsarama, Jim Valentino dances gingerly around the question of his removal as publisher of Image Comics:

"The Publisher is an employee of the corporation, even if he is also a shareholder/partner. California is an 'at-will' employment state. That means the employer can terminate an employee for no reason whatsoever. So, it's perfectly okay to dismiss any employee. I was not voted out as an Image partner or Board member ... yet. I may be after this interview, however, I'll keep ya posted -- I'm kidding ... sort of. Bottom line, they wanted a change. All I can do is wish Erik the best."