Gotta say, I find it dispiriting that this one minute clip has sapped everyone's attention and become a focal point of comics discourse. I think that is more a function of how social media grabs attention and feeds off impulsive reactions more than any real trend that is or is not happening in comics.
You have a level-headed take here, and a blog post like this is a space where one can be level-headed, but it seems like some random comment kicks off an industry-wide discourse every other day and it's a poor use of everyone's time.
I agree. And also: what's wrong with inserting personal things into stories of superheroes, things that may reflect the writer's personality or beliefs? Even by a new(er) writer? If the story works and stays sufficiently close to the core of the superhero, then what's wrong? What's wrong with Paul Dini and Eduardo Risso's Dark Night? Or even the political/social/cultural criticism in Miller's DKR?
Great post Scott. I never saw this short documentary and I find the owner of the store endearing from a character type of way. He passionately likes comics, which is more than some store owners where I strike up a conversation and they confess they don’t even read anymore!
As far as a writer inserting themselves in their stories - it has to happen. **All** writers have life experiences which they use when they craft words together. Unless you are writing IKEA assembly instructions, you’re putting yourself in your art.
Anyone not following the “Viral Comics Shop Guy” hullabaloo…the short version is that he’s a veteran comics shop owner who takes issue with writers introducing their personalities into writing DC/Marvel legacy characters.
The fellow in question is comics shop 30-year-veteran owner Glenn O'Leary of The Comics Palace in Massachusetts.
The Twitter interview excerpt that started the debate…
Excellent post! Appreciated the reflection on Glenn’s social media post about comics, and the larger firestorm around it. I think you are a bit too kind/forgiving to Glenn, but that’s probably not a bad thing. His comment’s definitely fit very neatly into a particularly unfortunate and conservative world view that scolds any attempt to diversify and make space for previously marginalized voices (in comics and society). But the idea that 1) artists don’t put themselves into their stories *always* and 2) that’s comics aren’t *always* part of some political project is a confusing point. Superman’s origins establishes this clearly, yes: an immigrant tale developed by two 1st generation Jewish kids from Cleveland who created the most awesome immigrant ever, and one who happened to be a champion of FDR’s New Deal!
There is plenty of room in comics for debate, discussion, good natured fighting and disagreeing. This always happens when my friends and I get together and many of us, without seeing the X video, have had similar complaints for a while. We've been fanatics since the 80s and we have all had issues with this at one point or another the last 10 years. A writer gets on a story, somewhat drags out for 6-9 issues (so it can later print in graphic novel for bookstores) and the characters kind of change with the next writer / creative team. I totally understand that this happens over time but the very next team taking over? Sometime unrecognizable to what we know that character to be. After watching his video though, I don't agree that you can't bring your life experiences or "what you know" to the story. That's what makes the story new/fresh to read.
Gotta say, I find it dispiriting that this one minute clip has sapped everyone's attention and become a focal point of comics discourse. I think that is more a function of how social media grabs attention and feeds off impulsive reactions more than any real trend that is or is not happening in comics.
You have a level-headed take here, and a blog post like this is a space where one can be level-headed, but it seems like some random comment kicks off an industry-wide discourse every other day and it's a poor use of everyone's time.
I agree. And also: what's wrong with inserting personal things into stories of superheroes, things that may reflect the writer's personality or beliefs? Even by a new(er) writer? If the story works and stays sufficiently close to the core of the superhero, then what's wrong? What's wrong with Paul Dini and Eduardo Risso's Dark Night? Or even the political/social/cultural criticism in Miller's DKR?
Great post Scott. I never saw this short documentary and I find the owner of the store endearing from a character type of way. He passionately likes comics, which is more than some store owners where I strike up a conversation and they confess they don’t even read anymore!
As far as a writer inserting themselves in their stories - it has to happen. **All** writers have life experiences which they use when they craft words together. Unless you are writing IKEA assembly instructions, you’re putting yourself in your art.
Anyone not following the “Viral Comics Shop Guy” hullabaloo…the short version is that he’s a veteran comics shop owner who takes issue with writers introducing their personalities into writing DC/Marvel legacy characters.
The fellow in question is comics shop 30-year-veteran owner Glenn O'Leary of The Comics Palace in Massachusetts.
The Twitter interview excerpt that started the debate…
https://twitter.com/defnotty/status/1731431889783668806
The full mini-documentary the above comes from, interview excerpt starts at 14:54…
https://youtu.be/0zAk4PyM71A
The subsequent Mark Millar interview with Glenn to discuss the reaction to his comments…
https://youtu.be/BaHopxg-dDc
A number of readers and well-known comics creators have weighed in on his comments to concur or refute.
Excellent post! Appreciated the reflection on Glenn’s social media post about comics, and the larger firestorm around it. I think you are a bit too kind/forgiving to Glenn, but that’s probably not a bad thing. His comment’s definitely fit very neatly into a particularly unfortunate and conservative world view that scolds any attempt to diversify and make space for previously marginalized voices (in comics and society). But the idea that 1) artists don’t put themselves into their stories *always* and 2) that’s comics aren’t *always* part of some political project is a confusing point. Superman’s origins establishes this clearly, yes: an immigrant tale developed by two 1st generation Jewish kids from Cleveland who created the most awesome immigrant ever, and one who happened to be a champion of FDR’s New Deal!
Really looking forward to the post on Horror!
There is plenty of room in comics for debate, discussion, good natured fighting and disagreeing. This always happens when my friends and I get together and many of us, without seeing the X video, have had similar complaints for a while. We've been fanatics since the 80s and we have all had issues with this at one point or another the last 10 years. A writer gets on a story, somewhat drags out for 6-9 issues (so it can later print in graphic novel for bookstores) and the characters kind of change with the next writer / creative team. I totally understand that this happens over time but the very next team taking over? Sometime unrecognizable to what we know that character to be. After watching his video though, I don't agree that you can't bring your life experiences or "what you know" to the story. That's what makes the story new/fresh to read.