Don’t you think this has been promoted enough by now? Seriously, we are on page 32. 32!!! I am sick of seeing this turn up on my Google Reader.
If “So Super Duper” needs this much promoting then I assume that is because it isn’t getting any readers. The reason it isn’t getting any readers is because it sucks. And is kinda homophobic.

Hi There Meanies!
Sounds like my comic isn’t quite your “cup of tea.” Bummer. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and a right to express it. But I do have to wonder why you have to be so hurtful and rude about it? Just because I’m not sitting in front of you at a convention does that make it ok to type mean-spirited comments? Personally, I don’t think so.

Am I the best artist? Nope. I freely, and have many times agreed, to this point in previous comments on my earlier pages. But am I the worst artist ever? I don’t think so. But to say my comic is “horribly drawn” and that it “sucks?” What do you get out of that, aside form a sick thrill of tearing someone down? Seems kinda petty to me. Do you really have to say anything at all? Does spreading hate and vitriol make the world a better place? Or the internet?

As for why my comic is here, welp, I was kindly invited to post my comic book here on the blog on Newsarama. I am grateful for this opportunity, despite the fact that people seem hell bent on ripping me a new one all the time. With page 32 we are only on issue 2 of my already printed series and I am currently up to issue 7 now. So I don’t foresee my comic going away anytime soon, at least not until the strips here catch up the issues I have already printed. Whether you like it or not this is my forum now and I’m not planning on going anywhere.

You mention that you are sick of my comic turning up on your “Google reader?” Here’s a suggestion: maybe just don’t read my strips? When I find something that I don’t much enjoy I just don’t read it. It’s a fairly simple concept. There is so much awesome on Newsarama and the Newsarama Blog that you aren’t forced to read something you might not like. So why not just stroll through all the wonderful articles on this site and skip over my comics, I won’t mind one bit.

Also, funny you find my comic homophobic as I am a gay man writing about a gay character who doesn’t know he’s gay yet. I have many queer readers and they all get the joke and see the fun in the series. Too bad you can’t.

And “WarmOtter”, Captain Idol isn’t seeking after his “assistant.” More about the reappearance of Ultra Woman will be revealed in the upcoming strips. But thank you for reading and commenting!

Much love!
Brian Andersen

My local comic book store owner, WhateverRich, asked me to post the following:

How sad.

I feel I have to chime in on this weeks bashing of Mr. Andersen. I missed out on the last lynching and burning of the body. Good thing we can do it all over again.

First off, Why is it people like to throw around the homophobic term and the complain of gay stereotyping? I went back and re-read a few past comments. Not that I care about your sexual orientation but I assume most are of the hetro persuasion. Brian has come out posts ago, and if you ever meet him, which I also assume, you won’t, you’ll see he has the biggest heart anyone could have. He’s also quite gay. A big freaking homo who is happy with himself and quite a positive person. If you ever are around queer people, which again, I assume you won’t be, you’ll see there are many many many different “types” of LGBT people out there. So to complain about him stereotyping is ridiculous. (one person called it dated and offensive – obviously this person doesn’t associate with any gay people because if s/he did they’d see that these are valid portrayals, trust me on this) Brian writes his story about a guy who doesn’t realize that he’s gay. Something many LGBT indiviudlas go through. He is setting this in a superhero atmosphere, which is what he likes. Brian is in no way homophobic. That is one of the stupid comments that people like to complain about. I think some of these people feel they have to justify their own insecurities by being the big defender of gay rights, which, in reality they can be an ally to the cause but never one of the affected.

Second. To those who say he needs the publicity because it doesn’t sell… that is a lame statement. Why do you think there are commercials? Why does a singer or a band tour or do talkshows? It about promotion. And for Brian it has worked. I was the first to carry his books (Not just one but many different titles) and they sell incredibly well. He had one of his books reviewed on CBR’s Comics Should Be Good last month and we sold out. (JenniferRuth) So to all the people who trash him I ask, where is your book? Is it in any stores? What kind of reviews is it getting?

Third… see now, if you know you don’t want to read it, or look at it… don’t click on the f%$#@ link. It doesn’t automatically come up, you have to choose it.

Lastly, I need to say that art is subjective. Some people love Alex Ross and some don’t. Some people love Greg Land some don’t. Brian’s art is done by him, it has a fun feel which matches the lightheartedness of the story. No he isn’t the greatest artist but he admits that. Does it suck, no, not to me or the others that buy his book. Is he going to be hired to pencil the next big crossover at DC or Marvel, no, but he doesn’t want to. He has stories to tell and is an amazing storyteller. 7 issues in and the story of Psyche is a familiar story to many gay and lesbians.

Besides being a small press and an “indie” creator, he is a local creator to us. We support our local talent and don’t tear them down. Imagine if you had a book out and it kept getting trashed, These comments aren’t constructive they’re just mean spirited and hateful. Yes, he puts it out for the public but that doesn’t mean faceless cyberholes need to be rude.

Dear Brian -

I’m sorry I hurt your feelings, but if your work is out there in public then you are going to need a thicker skin. I am happy to continue to scroll past this comic when it shows up – I can’t not see it because it isn’t placed behind a cut. BUT I still don’t think that a news blog is the appropriate place to post a comic. This is why I commented and I did wait until pg 32 to do so! However, reading back on my comment I can see that I was rude and acted like a troll. It was an inappropriate comment and I apologise for that. I should have emailed the blog administrators with my questions about the comic and not made a comment for all to see. If it had been my comic I probably would have felt hurt too. I hope you accept my apology and I am sorry that I was a dick.

I still feel that it relies heavily on homophobic stereotypes. I don’t think that being gay gives you a get out of jail free card on this issue any more than I could get away scott-free for saying something misogynistic. Perhaps it is “too bad” that I can’t see the humour – but I really can’t.

It is not easy to create comic books, but I am not trying to create a comic book. I am a consumer of comics – which is how I like it. I don’t think this means I can’t have an opinion. I am pleased that your comic is going well for you and that you have lots of readers. Sorry I can’t be one of them!

Anyway, I do genuinely apologise for making the comment. I didn’t think at the time and I totally agree that I sounded like a troll. Best of luck with your comic.

Total Class Jennifer! Way to go…

So just out of curiosity, lately I’ve been trying to post and the website says my post looks like Spam. Whatupwitdat?

I know quite a few very effeminate gay guys and they are definitely present in the community and also quite often, they are the aspect of the community that the media tends to latch on to when discussing to concept of homosexuality. The images of the pride parades will always show the guys in leather chaps, or the really nelly boys with their shirts tied in a knot or the transvestites/transsexuals. These are the images that make news, and I do understand that some in the community are tired of always being represented by this aspect, however it’s not the fault of that particular group, as much as it is the media who are always putting them in front of the camera for what they feel is “shock value”. Although for the rest of us, we see it and sorta shrug…it’s their thing…it’s all cool.

But you’ll always have someone who is more narrow minded that only see’s these representations and believe that because I’m a gay man, I really like dance music, I really enjoyed “Brokeback Mountain and think it was a masterpiece, and I dress in either leather or chiffon when I go out on the weekends. (which is wrong on all accounts. Nothing against any of it, it’s just not me)

Comics have their “straight-acting” homosexuals, such as Renee Montoya and Bat-woman (Batman), Northstar (Alpha-Flight and X-Men) and Hulking with Wiccan (Young Avengers). Psyche is different. He’s a gay superhero who is struggling with feelings of insecurity over his powers and is in a bit of denial of his own sexuality, and he’s WAY femme! It happens! It’s an interesting mix and it makes me want to see what happens next. As a matter of fact, I guess I’m ordering them, because 1 page a week is killing me..lol

Jaavik!
I could kiss you! Thank you for responding. Your words mean more to me than you can know.
Brian

Wow. I wish everyone on the ‘net was like JenniferRuth.

AND Brian Andersen.

You guys show that even something getting off on the wrong foot can be turned around with class and grace. Even if you don’t like something, it’s best to just be a class act.

As always, So Super Duper IS TOTALLY MY THING!

–Chase