I am forced to wonder, are the Japanese who are interested in superheroes as fond of nitpicky whinging as the Americans in this thread? I can’t help but think that the two hobbies go hand in hand.

I assume that Chris Mautner indicated that Kidd’s email response would be used for public dissection?

They almost always get sucked into the muck and it backfires in their face, which Kidd himself was aware of as he indicates at the end of his email. Just put out a statement on a website offering greater detail and clarification like Niall suggests. Unless you have nothing better to do than fight trolls all day. But I think World of Warcraft or something like that might be more enjoyable if that’s the case. You’ll still lose your soul but there’s a greater sense of accomplishment.

If some people still want to troll and make something out of nothing, that’s their deal and the comic community and comic journalism, with exceptions, suffers for it as a continuing wasteland filled with amateurish and petty complaints littered with poor spelling, a healthy dose of BS, and shoddy journalistic standards in general.

And I’m not sure if having bloggers and critics on a mass email list is such a good idea either, precisely because of these kinds of situations. And honestly, for bloggers or critics to slam Kidd for being “pissy” is pretty rich.

I don’t see how Chip Kidd is at fault here at all. Did Gerard Jones need to plaster the name of every single creator that he covered in his book, Men of Tomorrow, on the cover? Good lord, Chip Kidd designed the cover for that book and his name is only credited in small font on the back. I’m sure he was outraged that his name wasn’t in 60 point embossed font on the front. Who does Jones think he is? The author of the book?

I get that Kidd is peeved. He doesn’t deserve the criticism he’s received. But this response is utterly unprofessional. It’s kind of funny that an expert on appearance could have released something that has the potential to be interpreted so badly. He needs some lessons in PR.

The thing is, all Kidd had to do was release the following:

“Bat-Manga is not just about the work of Mr. Kuwata, although that of course makes up the bulk of the book. Rather, it is about chronicling the phenomenon—however short-lived—of Batman in Japan in 1966. To that end, the book itself as an act of pop-culture reconnaissance is entirely the product of Saul Ferris, Geoff Spear, and myself.”

Sometimes, less is more. If Kidd feels the need to let of steam in response to undeserved criticism, then I’d advise him that next time it happens, he should do so in private.

…call me names, you big meanie. You suck, Chip.

No, it doesn’t, Niall. It only reads that way if you’re intent on being a jackass and reading INTO it that way.

Well considering the way he was talking about the covers for All Star Superman and All Star Batman I really wouldn’t be surprised.

Why would that make a difference Garth?

Sorry, that’s ridiculous, unless you include that the complaints against the orphanage worker were COMPLETELY BASELESS.

NO, it ISN’T. Mr Kuwata did not write the book. He is not the sole subject of the book. PERIOD. END OF DISCUSSION.

But his response…

What an idiotic email! His claim that Kuwata was languishing in obscurity seems to be ridiculously hyperbolic, and the notion that we’re only entitled to have an opinion regarding whether Kuwata has been fairly treated by Kidd and his colleagues if we’ve done something for Kuwata is irrational.

What Kidd is saying is the equivalent of an orphanage care worker accused of mistreating orphans dismissing allegations as irrelevant based on the fact that those making the accusations had not helped the children while he had.

As it happens, I imagine that many of Kidd’s critics have done something for Kuwata. They bought this Bat-Manga, and if there hadn’t been a market for the book, it would not have been published and Kuwata would not have got any cash.

Also, it’s really unfortunate that Kidd comes across as condescending toward Kuwata, especially when you read the following two comments:

“where were YOU for the last thirty years, while he was languishing in obscurity both here and in his own country?”

“We spent far more of our own money amassing everything then we’ll ever see out of sales of the book; and without going into details, any money we did get as an advance went right back to Mr. Kuwata, who was thrilled to get it. As he is thrilled with the book—I’ve heard nothing but compliments and thanks from him.”

Kidd gives of the impression that he thinks of himself as some sort of savior to Kuwata. He probably doesn’t feel that way, but he’s communicating poorly.

Now let me make this clear: I don’t think that Kidd did anything wrong in his dealings with Kuwata. (The problems seem to come from people not understanding the nature of Kidd’s work.) It’s understandable that Kidd is frustrated. But all of that said, Kidd’s response is foolish, illogical and unprofessional. He chooses his words badly and engages with his critics at a level unbecoming of any individual with an IQ over 100 given the circumstances.

Is that your idea of “languishing in obscurity”?

The reason no one tried to collect his Batman work ever,is just people who interested in American super hero is minority in Japan.Even Dark Knight movie is regarded as commercially failure(for critics,it’s masterpiece).
Although,the presence of his Batman work is well known amongst collectors.

I appreciate Mr.Kidd’s attempt on “Bat-Manga”,I’d buy one,but telling Mr.Kuwata’s “languishing in obscurity” is a bit of,arrogant.We’ve given respect to his work for decades.

And,there was “Hulk-Manga”,”Moon Knight-Manga” in 70′s……(both,not by Mr.Kuwata).

…This ranks up with the old net.god retort on usenet anytime someone complained about some post the net.gods such as Old Ego Trip and Chuqi the Hutt would make: “What have *you* done for usenet?” Sorry Chip, I appreciate your work and your talent, but in this case the complaint is a valid one, and this response holds about as much water as a sieve.

Well I guess, in your mind, the fact that he’s well-known among the senior crowd somehow supports your argument that he’s not languishing in obscurity?

“So, did anyone bother reading after Kidd’s first paragraph? Preemptive personal attacks are always the best way to win people over.”

Yeah, and it clearly seems like his intent was to win people over, right?

He’s why I’d buy this book.

I can’t imagine anyone getting upset over this.

If I buy this book (I’ll look for it in stores) it’s because of Kidd’s name and great reputation for putting together beautiful books.

I can’t speak for EVERYONE here in America…but if it weren’t for Mr. Kidd’s work…I doubt anyone would have ever heard of Batmanga or Kuwata.

I think Kuwata should be thanking Mr. Kidd.

Now I would have liked to have seen a complete toy section of all the tin Batmobiles and all the Batman robots with boxes.

So I really don’t see what the issue is here.

He’s never been in languishing in obscurity here in Japan.He’s regarded as one of legendary comic artist of post-war era.If you ask people over 60,almost everyone know his work on 8-Man,or Gekkou-Kamen.