Hey all,
It’s been…a long time since I posted on here. I need to be better with these posts. On the other hand, maybe less frequent posts might be better. I don’t know, I’m still new to the whole newsletter thing.
There’s a LOT that I want to talk about. Some things on that list I’d rather keep my big mouth shut about, for now at least.
So…some updates.
With the exception of one package (due to a miscount, and that person has been informed), all the Rook & Knight issue 1 packages have been sent out to everyone who filled out their surveys. Again, thank you so much for your support for last year’s campaign. I’m still figuring out stuff for this year’s campaign, but I think it will be relatively low key in comparison to past ones I’ve done. TBD, but it won’t be until late summer/early fall.
Progress continues apace on various projects, ranging from various Libertyverse books (you know you want more American Dreams and Knightwrath), to my Holmesian project.
And speaking of American Dreams, and before nomination windows close, I’d like to share with you a nomination slate for this year’s Ringo Awards. I am so proud of AD being in stores last year and I’m pushing to get it recognized at this year’s awards in Baltimore. Below is the slate, and place your nominations HERE, before the ballot closes.
Now onto the less fun stuff.
There are numerous topics in the last few months that I could opine on (especially the big one earlier this month), but I’m going to keep it to more recent events.
Last week, a person tweeted some nasty things about writer Tom King’s scripts saying “The sheer abuse of the marvel method being done in modern comics so that writers can do multiple books a month is astounding. Stan Lee would blush.”
However, like most people bold on the internet, they were wrong. First of all, that is NOT Marvel style script. Secondly, Tom King and artist Mitch Gerads have been working together for years and are likely in constant contact with each other for clarity.
Needless to say, a lot of creators justifiably took umbrage at this.
Look, there is NO set script style. While I prefer full script, I’ve also written Marvel style, or even detailed page-by-page breakdowns versus full script for artists, depending on their preference or our working relationship. I’ve even reengineered an outline, in the past week, to be full script for an artist who prefers full script versus the artist it was originally meant for (who had to step back because they got busy).
And if you dig deep into that post, the guy admitted he just wants to attack Tom King because of his job before comics: the CIA. At this point, people pulling that card to excuse rotten behavior towards Tom King should have that card taken away.
That then brings us to the other Tom under attack, this case Tom Taylor. A bunch of weirdo “fans” decided to light photos of him ON FIRE. A lot of fans have been attacking him FOR YEARS because he won’t always give them what THEY want. This time, they went way too far, and a lot of creators were, again, justifiably outraged by this behavior.
Problem is, I’ve been seeing this slide towards nastiness from fans (and sometimes other creators) for a while. It’s getting disturbing, and it is threatening to shatter our community. We need to take deep breaths and do better. And I include myself in that.
And seriously, if you’re burning someone’s picture because of a COMIC BOOK, you need a sense of proportion and a massive chill pill.
I’m just getting worried about too many in the comics community going way too far and I’m worried someone is going to be hurt by some whackjob.
Sorry to end this on a down note, but I think this is something that we, as a community, need to address. And soon.
DK
It might be wishful thinking on my part, but I'm hoping it's just that these dodos have a megaphone via modern-day Twitter. This kind of stuff is getting promoted and pushed by the algo more than ever (and double if they pay for the bluecheck).
Not that they didn't always exist. I still remember being at a con with Stan Lee where a "fan" wanted to berate, the then octogenarian, for stealing credit from Jack Kirby. That gentleman, rightfully, got jeered and booed back into his seat.
You could argue the same has happened here with the creators stepping up big time to wag their fingers. Doesn't excuse it, but it's good to see the overwhelming majority standing up for these creators.