This is “Point/Counterpoint in the Blogosphere…” where we take a look at what has YOU talking. Twice a week, I’ll be showcasing two opposing discussion points about a particular topic, to help you keep up with some of the hot topics in comic fandom.
So, how important is personality when it comes to the way we see industry figures? Can personal charm mitigate questionable professional decisions?
Point:
Jake at Ye Olde Comic Blogge is not a fan of Rob Liefield’s art, however, he finds it hard to dislike the man as a person, thanks to his new video diaries on You Tube:
But the truth is, when I see Rob Liefeld in person, I can’t help but be charmed by his personality. He’s a genuinely nice guy whose enthusiasm is infectuous. Incidentally, I think that’s a big reason editors continue to work with him. I can see him sitting in my office saying, “I know I’ve missed a lot of deadlines before, but this time things will be different. I’ll get a nine month head start on this four-issue miniseries and the whole thing will be 75% done before the first issue goes to press,” and totally buying into it.
Counterpoint:
Kevin at BeaucoupKevin(dot)com counters Jake’s comment, however, by mentioning one of the man’s more unfortunate professional decisions.
Ye Olde Comic Blogge finds it hard to hate Rob Liefeld. Despite my mind-numbing hatred of his art, he really does come across as a nice guy. That is, of course, until you remember he’s screwed over Alan Moore and Rick Veitch on royalty payments and gave us one of the ugliest reprints of a modern superhero comic because he can’t find the original art.
So what’s your take on this?
October 31st, 2006 at 10:37 am
On re-reading both posts…
That “but” at the beginning of Jake’s looms rather large, doesn’t it?
In my previous reply, I used some strong language. Neither Jake nor Kevin will likely thank me for it.
I stand by it, regardless. Awful stuff.
This comment, too, may be removed if you wish, should your post be amended in the name of fairness.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:57 am
I just like getting linked. Heh.
October 31st, 2006 at 11:12 am
Kevin, you slut! Have some self-respect, for God’s sake. You know Jesus judges you.
He says he doesn’t, but he does.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:14 pm
Hey, what was the previous comment from plok? I want to know what strong language was leveled at me! Was it pointing out just how strongly Ye Olde rules?
Incidentally, the “but” was following my observation that as a symbol of everything wrong with comics in the 1990′s I have to hate Liefeld. I stand by that and wouldn’t buy Onslaught Reborn with YOUR money, much less my own.
In fact, I’d dare to say Kevin and I aren’t really on opposite sides of this argument. We both think Liefeld is charming and comes off as a nice guy who is enthusiastic about and dedicated to turning out high quality comics, though his history and reputation have proven otherwise time and time again.
Liefeld is to comic book editors what chatroom predators are to 14-year-olds.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:16 pm
And personal charm totally mitigates questionable professional decisions, what are you talking about?! If I’m a good guy and I just happen to fuck you over, well that’s not really anybody’s fault, right? Unless we’re playing the blame game, in which case I’ve got to say I think it’s a little suspicious how you’re the one who was fucked over, and now it’s pretty convenient how you’re the one who’s complaining…
I’m with Jake. Ripping off Moore and Veitch is totally forgivable, totally.
You go, Jake!
This is the Colbert Report.
…
Yeah, on reflection, I won’t complain that my strident first comment got toasted. Still think this was bad practice, though.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Answering Comment #4:
I got a little hot under the collar because I thought this was an artificial opposition, and felt that because of its artificiality it was misrepresenting somebody. Possibly also I’m a little bit stressed out today for other reasons, too. So. Not to be all Meeley about it or anything, but this particular Point/Counterpoint gave me a gripe. And also, face it, it is a little annoying how much Ye Olde rules.
I suppose the language was a little strong. I’ll go a little mea culpa on that.
Mea culpa, Melissa. Time will tell if my gripe was mostly motivated by stress, but the language was certainly uncalled-for, and so you’ve got my apology. Ooooh, I hate overcommitting to some angry gesture and then having to take it back because I was in the wrong! That smarts! Damn!
October 31st, 2006 at 2:22 pm
Liefeld is to comic book editors what chatroom predators are to 14-year-olds.
So, Jake. A/S/L?
October 31st, 2006 at 3:15 pm
13/f/az
I’m so lonely here at the house all alone with just me a Chris Hansen and an NBC camera cre–I mean… all alone. Why don’t you come over and we can hang out in the jacuzzi?
October 31st, 2006 at 11:45 pm
Thank you for your comments, everyone.
I chose these particular arguments because reading them, I felt that there
was a potential for discussion. Both Jake and Kevin, in their posts, agreed
to not liking certain aspects of Mr. Liefield’s work ethic and professional
decisions. Both agree that the man is likeable. The opposition is in a
measure of degree.
If I were truly interested in manufacturing opposition, I would not have
linked back to both posts.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:54 am
I don’t think I’ve apologized to you enough, Melissa, so I’ll apologize a bit more. You didn’t deserve my angry ranting at all, as anyone can see, and so I think I’ll just say that the only fool here is me, and he’s a public fool at that.
Which is a fact that sucks, but damn it it’s well-deserved.
Any idiot could have noticed that you linked back to both posts. Well, obviously not any idiot.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:58 am
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