Found at Comics Worth Reading, it turns out that Black Panther writer Reginald Hudlin is such a controversal figure that the fans at Comic Book Resources are no longer allowed to discuss his work. On October 30th:
We’ve reached the point where every thread even remotely related to Black Panther turns into a fight about Reggie Hudlin. It’s less about the comic and more about everyone’s personal reaction to the writer’s persona and writing style.So, to steal an idea from the fellows over on the Rumbles board, we’re taking a break. No BP threads, no BP-related thread drift, no nothin’.
No Black Panther discussion for, oh, let’s say a month. Then we’ll see what happens.
EDIT: For whatever it’s worth, this applies only to this forum. If you can make a case for an Avengers or Civil War connection, those boards can still accommodate you.
Update: This edict has been retracted.
November 2nd, 2006 at 2:29 pm
Didn’t realize he was such a polarizing figure.
November 2nd, 2006 at 2:45 pm
And they can still talk about Byrne?
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:33 pm
Censorship!!!
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:29 pm
I would think his writing style and public/authorial persona most directly affect the content of the comic and to the degree he express said persona within the letters page or while promoting the title on line it should be fair game for discussion.
That moderator needs to be fired. Don’t know who it is and don’t even care if it’s one of my pals at CBR.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:04 pm
This is pretty insane.
I admit that Hudlin’s a controversial figure and to be frankly honest I’d like to be able to read a genuine discussion of the book without it turning into a debate about the book’s writer. I honestly don’t understand why some creators are so polarizing.
November 3rd, 2006 at 9:00 am
I know absolutely jack and squat about Reggie Hudlin (excepting the fact that I don’t like a single thing he’s written) –
– so what’s he doing that’s so controversial?
November 3rd, 2006 at 9:35 pm
Basically every Hudlin thread tends to boil down to these two points:
1. Christopher Priest fans complaining that Black Panther isn’t enough like the Christopher Priest run, even though Priest himself endorsed Hudlin’s book on his blog.
2. Storm fans complaining about the decision to pair her up with Black Panther, even though the past relationship was established in a Chris Claremont story in the original Marvel Team-Up.
November 3rd, 2006 at 11:33 pm
Paul — There was a bit more to that than simple history. A lot of Storm fans don’t like the marginalized role she’s playing in the story.
November 4th, 2006 at 12:25 am
Lisa:
Let’s see how it plays out. I envision a multi-part crossover arc, called Unmarginalized Storm, where Storm and Sue Storm team up to wreak havoc on their poorly written spouses.
November 4th, 2006 at 12:38 am
Tim — I gave enough of my money to see her written so far out of character. I’ll try Black Panther again when they get a new writer.
I was really just stepping in to set the record straight on what the Storm fans were really complaining about.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
*WARNING - SPOILER* I still don’t understand the animosity toward Hudlin. I have read every issue and though there are things I don’t always agree with he is not a horrible writer. I am a “Priest” fan of BP too, but I like this BP as well. I also like BP and Storm hooking up. Yes, I would like to see Storm be more proactive but I agree with the marriage. Hopefully the fact that T’Challa and Storm will be part of the new Fantastic Four under a different writer will show whether it really is the writer people have a problem with or just what this BP is portrayed as.