- “I don’t sit around thinking “Who can I antagonize today?” It’s just that, when things leap out at me, I feel compelled to comment on them. There’s so much about the profession that, in my view, need rehabilitating and so many truly despicable attitudes represented and so many hypocrisies aired that I do feel compelled to write about them.” – Fantagraphics Publisher Gary Groth
I cannot stress enough how stymied I feel to appear at all late to the discussion, but various work and fundraising duties have kept me in a rare passive position of late- ear to the ground, but (for once!), more passive than proactive- as I have heard further discussion on the apparent death of comics journalism.
This is a subject that has come up for decades, whether it was over the demise of the Comic Buyers Guide or the prominence of Bleeding Cool; some liken the rise of YouTube comic speculation influencers as evidence of a rotten core.
I, personally, have maintained the same stance I’ve always had: most comics writing is overtly fannish or overly written (note being paid a few cents per word will make the current crop of writers at The Comics Journal even more flowery with their prose, if this was possible) and, quite frankly, websites devoted to comic industry news are utterly, transparently HORRIBLE.
I make no qualms about this. Rewriting and tweaking press releases, regurgitating old news bytes (some disproven in the decades since they came out) and endless speculation and rankings have diluted any appearance of a strong journalistic front representing the medium, the audience, or the industry. And the people involved don’t seem to recognize this- or don’t want to. Why not?
As ever my friends, it falls upon me, the most selfless and gregarious of comic critics, to comment upon this ever-unwinding spool of nonsense.
Comics journalism as they want it- yes, it’s dead. You already knew that. It wasn’t just the death of periodicals and a changing industry; it was a death of interest and attention-span. It was a rise in new needs and new habits in how people consume and digest their media news. There is simply no way to avoid it.
Admittedly, there has been some actual comics journalism practiced recently- Heidi MacDonald has done good work covering and simplifying the convoluted trajectory of the Diamond Distribution bankruptcy sale, and even a verifiable journeyman like Zach Rabiroff did a very fine interview with recently (and unjustly) detained British cartoonist R.E. Burke– but these, my friends- these are the minority in a cesspool of banal and unnecessary pieces of content that exists to justify the whims and ambitions of people who could not make it as comic creators themselves, so apply their writing ability towards a lower rung. Why, it’s just like music critics who couldn’t play instruments themselves!
I have learned there is still only one sure way to gain any traction, any interest, any eyes on your work- which wasn’t even my intent so much as it is theirs, even if I appreciate an audience here- and that is: write the truth, don’t be compromised and- this is as important as anything else- make it less about YOU and be secondary to the message you are sending. (More on this later.)
I know, I know- it’s rich that I, a high-school dropout and certainly not an Eisner award winner and/or nominee, would opine on these things. But I’ve been around the block and certainly the visits Four Color Sinners have received proves, to some extent, certain voices simply stand out in a crowd. And what a crowd it is…!
Most comic journalists are enthusiastic about the medium and understandably, enthused at their own opportunities and placement within the industry. This, while relatable, is a huge part of the “problem” as it can lead to compromised outlooks and sentimental/opportunistic judgment when “reporting” on what is, above all, a business.
When I pointed this out before, I was accused of “generalizing” and “name-calling”, but I’ve seen it practiced in real-life and the reality of tier-based coolness in the historically status driven comics world is almost as tangible as a slap in the face; anyone suggesting otherwise is obtuse or dishonest.
On March 25th, 2025, Heidi (she of the legendary ComicsBeat, naturally) was interviewed by Adam Freeman on the somewhat unwieldly named “Prana: Direct Market Solutions” on YouTube, apparently on the subject of “The Death of Comics Journalism (and how we’ll rebuild it)”- well, she would know!
MacDonald discusses how Google and Facebook have “been strangling journalism, deliberately” and I have no doubts that what she says is valid, but it also seems like blaming and rationalizing without acknowledging any responsibility from herself, her peers, or the industry- this is the problem.
- “It’s [social media] destroyed the capital of basic reporting. However, obviously we still need reporting- we still need, um, information that is not posted publicly on social media…” – Heidi MacDonald, 2025
What the fuck do they report? The majority is pop culture press releases- fact! It’s true that MacDonald herself does translate and put into layman’s terms general specifics about things like the Diamond Distributors sale, but that’s not the majority of what The Beat– or any other comics site contains.
Ranking the best Spider-Man villains or the worst season finales of animated shows does not constitute journalism; it is subjective fan writing- that’s all. And there’s nothing wrong, or shameful about that, per se- but that isn’t journalism.
Is there journalism on some site I’m potentially unaware of? I’m serious– please let me know. I’m sifting through many sites that seemingly would suggest that they’d contain serious writing and reporting on comics- comicbook.com, comicbookresources, etc.- but, you know, anything that isn’t fan ranking seems to just be presenting press releases, publisher solicitations, and regurgitating announcements from various press events. Again: that’s not journalism.
MacDonald’s sense of self and her persona is misguided and problematic; what she says here is especially telling (and slightly delusional) to me:
- “Look, I don’t think I’m talking out of school, but I’ll just say there is absolutely a comics illuminati and we text each other every day. (shrugs) And that’s important.”
It’s possible MacDonald means this tongue-in-cheek, but it doesn’t come off as such and her later comments will reinforce that she really does believe she and her selected peers are movers and shakers within the comic book industry. (Which leads me to wonder, if so, why are you struggling? Rhetorical question.)
- “I only have so much time to write about it. I am training my staff, we’re bringing them along- but even between, there’s me, there’s Chris Arrant, there’s Milton [Griepp] and Brigid [Alverson] and his team, there’s Rob Salkowitz and there’s David Harper… and I always leave one person out [note: meaning Rich Johnstone from Bleeding Cool]…“
(Fascinatingly, Heidi takes Rich to task for taking a recent story on R.E. Burke and tweaking a Facebook post of her fathers to make it look like an exclusive to Bleeding Cool, which Heidi calls “very dishonest”- I agree!)
- “…There’s only these people. Trust me, we do not have time- those six, seven people- do not have time to have everything going on. And you know, Rich covers a lot of it, but he doesn’t cover in detail because he works so fast- and, uh, if any one of us, if Rob, or Brigit or myself was suddenly cloned.. the industry would be so improved. Literally, just by that one thing.” (Note there is no sense of whimsy or humor with this- Heidi really believes that having another Rob Salkowitz or Rich Johnston would improve the industry. Uh.)
- “When you say, ‘how do you save comics’, what you’re really saying is, “how do I save my job in comics?”- so, I’m not saying that we’re not going to see hardship and suffering possibly, from me, you know- uh, there’s creators and there’s definitely a culling coming and there’s definitely a shrinkage coming and some tightening up and peanut butter and ramen for some people. But I’m not concerned that it is of any effect whatsoever on the joyous, vivacious, vivid and important and um, dramatically fulfilling and comedic world that is comics.” – Heidi MacDonald, March 2025
It’s times like these that I wish I could go and rally Gary Groth and urge him to get more involved and speaking out about these things. One might say to me, “But the man is 70 now, let him rest!” and I’d remind you that Groth in his twenties often came off like an old guy yelling at you. I recently re-read an interview he did in the early nineties and appreciated him even more:
- Do you equate muckraking with serious journalism?
“Absolutely. Muckraking is a very noble tradition, starting in the early part of the century with such works as The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. In fact, muckraking was a laudatory term that I think Theodore Roosevelt conferred upon the profession, and it was meant as a compliment.” – Gary Groth, Interview w/ HERO Illustrated, 1994
Saved By The Bell was an unavoidable program for young viewers when I was in middle school but avoid it I did as I was unaware of it. Still, I’m reminded of a scene from one of two episodes I watched when my stoned bandmates insisted on keeping it on in our hotel room around 1998: the young protagonist urges his once-hip Principal to return to his roots to help the students fundraise for some location going to be demolished. The principal shoots our young hero down, explaining that things have changed.
“You’re not the guy I’m looking for”, the young weasel exclaims. “This (pointing to an older picture of the once-hip elder), this is the guy I need.”
I now mentally envision this as the perfect scenario for my eventual in-person meeting with Gary Groth. And I purposely wanted to find a mainstream and overrated pop culture vehicle not related to comics to incorporate into this article to prove that, yes, even Four Color Sinners can do this mainstream shit! (You’re welcome, any readers of The Beat we managed to draw in.)
- “I think that the problem with most media related to comics is not a conflict of interests, but rather a harmony of interests, and that is where a magazine like Wizard or a newspaper like the Buyer’s Guide simply toes the corporate line because that’s where the most number of readers are.” – Groth again, 1994
One week later, Rob Salkowitz wrote on the subject- of course he did- on ICv2 in the aptly titled “What Killed Comics Journalism?”
And what’s the thing you see when clicking on this piece of journalism? A beautiful self-portrait of Rob Salkowitz’s fuckin’ face because of course you do.
Salkowitz’s article actually surprised me for not being that substantial at all, as he largely credits the origins of comics journalism to fanzines and Usenet groups and online outlets as if fanzines weren’t the prominent means of fandom writing for literally five decades before anyone would use computers to discuss or exchange ideas or news about the comics industry. Usenet itself was only tested in 1979 and wouldn’t be used significantly until the Eighties.
Not a huge deal, but a sort of casual aside that I found curious, considering CBG and TCJ having such a prominent place in both fans and professionals’ lives years before the internet really grew in influence and accessibility.
Salkowitz also (again) misses the boat and displays his remarkably unsurprising obtuseness and entitled nature when he puts out as fact, not his own speculation, that declining ad revenue, hatched in a proactive scheme by Google, is one of the main reasons that comics journalism has suffered. I mean, that’s technically true, but does Rob consider that the industry itself is complicit in losing ad revenue…? Could the people in comics have caused any self-inflicted wounds…?
Ad revenue. As opposed to, you know… shitty coverage of shitty comics by mostly shitty writers.
- “Declining ad revenue have impacted publishers’ ability to produce great work and driven a lot of publications out of business. Advertisers don’t want to pay to reach smaller and smaller numbers of readers. Classic death spiral.” – Rob Salkowitz, 2025
Again, like his cohort in desperately manifesting credibility and a “role” within the comics industry, Salkowitz both implores and pleads, cajoles and guilts people into making accessibility to articles less accessible and more convoluted. By turning off ad blockers, which were invented because people were sick of ads annoying them while they tried to read:
- “Also, readers, support your favorite sites and creators by turning off ad blockers, clicking through to advertisers, passing links along through social platforms in comments and reposts, and clicking through to the actual stories. Very importantly, sign up for email lists and newsletters, because an email list is “first party data,” owned by the publisher, and not subject to social media platforms that can throttle the reach at a whim.”
- “We’ll do the research, make the calls, tell the stories, and shine a light on as much of the great stuff coming out of this business as we can. Because it will get awfully dark if we let the lights go out.” – Rob “Ponyboy” Salkowitz, 2025
I personally believe it’s terrible to subtly pressure readers to go to greater lengths and inconvenience because the industry itself and the fan-sites and fan-writers that cover it desperately don’t want things to change. This is what it is. I didn’t want print to go away, but newspapers have still declined. People didn’t want video stores to go away, but now everyone has Netflix.
Salkowitz and MacDonald don’t realize (or haven’t accepted) that they’re from a previous time, one still fresh enough that it’s flattered them into thinking they can extend some relevance or clout they had in an ever-shrinking industry.
No. Times are different. At one point, a vast majority of fans literally believed Wizard Magazine was the voice of the collected industry. At one point, people went to Newsarama. Today? People have such a stream of various outlets and prefer to eat out in specific doses. They don’t owe you shit.
Look at any known journalist in history, whether its Walter Winchell or Louella Parsons– and, for clarification, Salkowitz and MacDonald are certainly NOT on the level of these two- both were known in mainstream American culture and read by millions of people on a weekly basis- both had their careers end in decline, as culture and media had moved on without them.
Tiffany Babb has begun a print journal called The Comics Courier, which seems to have done well on Kickstarter- good for them!- and it proves that there is an audience for a certain percentage of fans.
Maybe, like with vinyl records, print is becoming hip again to a certain percentage of consumers. Of course, I do believe (sincerely) that this is more exercises in getting names and resumes across, but at least the people at the Courier are putting in the effort to get funding rather than shaming people for not signing up to newsletters.
Also, the Kickstarter feels a need to give bios of most contributors; admittedly, this is something I’ve always been down on, personally- Irving Thalberg said “credit you give yourself is not worth having”– but it seems the Comics Courier’s contributors are from the Salkowitz school. I was also disturbed that a few of the contributors all look like the same guy, too:
I should like to take the time now to also point out that, in trying to find the cited interview with MacDonald when I began to put this article together, I did see several horrific and sexist attacks made on her by various “bro” like YouTube shows. This is pathetic and indicative of the basic majority of guys still buying superhero comics and arguing over superhero movies; it makes you a punk, it’s undeserved. Heidi MacDonald doesn’t need me to defend her from that sort of slander, but I wanted to take the time to state it because I was genuinely surprised to see those things as I do not watch YouTube programming featuring speculator bros in baseball caps. Fuck those guys.
In closing, comics journalism is a label and reporting/sharing/commenting/criticizing on media and pop culture has never gone away, it never will. It just comes in different forms. I feel a sense of self-importance from these more vocal complainers of a changing media landscape and yes, I do understand that they would like to make a living off of this.
At the same time, why not get a day job? I’ve heard so many times now that you barely make any money writing about comics- why does the audience need to know/be aware of this?
- “I read a great piece by Francis Ford Coppola a few years ago that basically stated no one said that filmmakers had to make a living.” – Gary Groth, Interview w/ The Comics Reporter, 2013
It may not be your dream to not be able to list “writer” on your CV but come on. You’ll be among the millions and millions of other talented people who should be able to make a living on their ability but can’t. Nothing at all to be ashamed of.
Also, please don’t forget: Four Color Sinners will NEVER have pop-up ads, paywalls, or repeated pleas to subscribe, click on links, blah blah blah. Maybe we’re the future of comics journalism. And to think! So many of these people keep trying to get on my bad side!
But enough about me– I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m, you know- a comics journalist.
Dedicated to the late Tom Spurgeon, who probably wouldn’t have liked me either. And Gary Groth, for muckraking before I was born.
Four Color Sinners 
You hit several strong points here, many recalling (for me) the experiences I have had over the last number of years working in p.r. for sports, tech, and entertainment clients. Most of the great writers, editors, and columnists that covered these industries have been retired, died off, fired, laid off, or downsized out of existence. There’s no one to pitch to anymore – so you create your own opportunities. You write the story and try to get attention. It’s one of the reasons I found your site – great writing and interesting stories/opinions/news. Without worrying about ads or subscriptions – just write, report, and many, many times, an audience will find you. Think about how you first found Gary Groth and The Comics Journal – you saw the magazine, you read the magazine, you sought them out. Isn’t that what a search engine allows you to do? You can’t be spoon-fed – you have to seek things out. It’s worth the reward! Keep ’em flying!
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Mr. DeLorenzo, thank you so much for such a generous and thoughtful comment. I agree that people need to stop being passive and simply create their own opportunities; make people need to read your content. I get a lot of insults and dismissive comments but they’re still reading so I have to think there’s some element going through my work that compels people to give it a chance.
I agree, people need to proactively look for engaging content and it is indeed what I’ve done which is why I’m sometimes well versed on the things I’m criticizing. This is why I really can’t criticize the forthcoming Comics Courier; it isn’t how I’d handle it (background profiles and a list of credits for all of the contributors, whom I suspect want to be “personalities”), but it doesn’t matter how I’d handle it- they are putting the work in to raise funds rather than wait for funds, and that’s a huge difference. As ever Sir, thanks for taking the time to write!
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Addendum: A cherished figure wrote to me with some grammar corrections but also that she felt Heidi’s comment of “there’s definitely a shrinkage coming and some tightening up and peanut butter and ramen for some people.” read to her “like people who are deserving are going to get fired, but not me. It felt very like, dismissive, disrespectful…”
Her sharing that with me stirred up that I’ve sometimes found Heidi extremely classist and status-oriented and it brought up an exchange we had, before I ever started Four Color Sinners. (I’d also like to point out, to Heidi’s credit, she recognized what I’d pointed out to her as coming off the wrong way.)
In 2023, The Beat reported on another Hotelpocalypse for attendees of NYCC. Within the article, MacDonald showed a photo of the lower budgeted Holland Hotel (named such as it is right before the Holland Tunnel into Manhattan) and, I felt, spoke dismissively and condescendingly about the sort of patrons that would stay at the Holland Hotel.
I knew all about it being that I had, briefly, actually worked the night shift at the Holland Hotel while I was working as a performer in NYC.
“Some bold folks even stay over in Jersey which is a pleasant ferry ride away – although getting home at night from NYCC’s legendary BarCon is bit more of a problem. Also some of the facilities look a bit quirky, if by quirky you mean looking like a renovated prison guard hostel outside the Holland tunnel.” – Heidi MacDonald, 2023
Perhaps I shouldn’t have taken it that seriously, but this stood out to me as especially smirky and it irked me. I responded:
“As someone who has been employed by both ReedPop and the Holland Hotel, I believe I’m equipped to chime in at what reads like dismissive snobbery towards more affordable budget hotels in NJ. You might have pointed out the Holland Hotel’s nearness to the Path Train and how potential con attendees can park their cars at the hotel- which has a nightly security guard to patrol the parking lot- therefore also saving funds on expensive Manhattan parking.
As comics culture continues to grow, so too does the lack of inclusion towards, well, poorer people. I know that conventions are a luxury but not everyone can afford those ReedPop VIP passes. Or the Holland Tunnel toll.” – your loyal correspondent, 2023
To her credit, MacDonald recognized this was a bad optic and responded, which I didn’t see until this year:
“UPDATE: I was chided in the comments for putting down the cheaper, economical hotels of New Jersey, and quite rightly. People are low on cash and affordable options are a godsend. I do think the Holland Hotel should put out better pictures, though, because other photos make it look quite pleasant! – Heidi MacDonald
Credit will be given when it is due when people recognize when they, unconsciously or not, make insensitive comments about those people that are not in imaginary illuminati groups or get press passes to conventions. Most people do not. Increasingly, more and more people cannot afford any conventions outside of free ones at local libraries (which are still fantastic and should be attended!), but it is a trait I’ve noticed in the otherwise hardworking Ms. MacDonald. But I did want to add that as I find it relevant. My one (brief) exchange with her at an event years ago also likely informed my opinion of her as someone very caught up in status, but her ongoing remarks have only reinforced them. Thanks for reading!
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Everything you say is spot on and we need a Lester Bangs writing on this if we can’t get another Joe Sacco.
it just gets smaller and smaller. Plus, pretty sure Gary is past caring and I can’t blame him.
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Addendum #2: I made the mistake of commenting upon the Prana Direct Market Solutions video when I should have known better. I do not feel anyone that automatically disagrees with me- or is even skeptical of me- is in any way patronizing, condescending, or small minded. Unfortunately, the host of this show is all three. And not just with your humble reporter- I was amazed at how much he shot down other commentators (when he really shouldn’t) for daring to say anything he disagreed with.
While accusing me of tactics (when, you know- I’m kinda direct), he begins every response with an implied dig and accusation before signing off in a polite manner.
I began by summarizing my feelings about “journalists” being enthused fans and sometimes compromised, and how many of them want to get a foot in the door of the industry so would therefore be less inclined to rock the boat or risk alienating a comics professional over a story…
“Boy oh boy do you make some generalizations there. I hope your reporting has more attention to detail than the character attacks you give here. Because, as you and I both seem to agree, we need more and better reporting in our industry.”
When I responded that I didn’t think my statements were character attacks since observations are not judgments, he responded in the following:
“Most comic journalists suffer from a flawed system in which they need to play ball with publishers, vendors, creators etc. or else risk losing their press passes and perceived status/clout” “Comic journalists are also inclined to be seen as “personalities” and tout their connections, whine about not being nominated, interject themselves in fan/reader discourse” ….Those quotes seem pretty character attacky to me. Have I known some of the people you are describing? Certainly. But, I’ve known a lot more than those that would be not at all accurately described by your words. Enough that I would call that kind of character attack inaccurate for the majority of them. I don’t know anything about you or your work but what you’ve written here, so I hope that your brand of journalism is more accurate than your two responses here.
Being a glutton for punishment, I responded again- honestly, to stress that he is mislabeling me simply because I’m blunt and that my intent is not to insult people, but call out practices since no one else will. He responded with directly stating that I derive personal enjoyment from people reacting emotionally, which is an insult if I’ve heard one:
“Your generalizations are inaccurate and insulting, yes. But, you seem to know that and enjoy labeling the reaction to those insults as emotional. It’s a common tactic. I just don’t know how effective it is. Not knowing what the observations you are talking about are, who the people working at those companies were, nor, even, who you are I can’t speak to the value of your observations. I did just look at your channel and then your site. While the style and presentation are not for me, I’m glad to see your passion pushing it forward. Good luck!”
Some older guy chimed in that he and I “deserved each other” which I thought was classic. Hey, I make friends everywhere I go!
What’s worth adding is that every other response from people who evidently sell at conventions or attend their LCS get shot down by Adam. A user named otakun speaks about the comics industry itself is failing, hence ad revenue is going to be down if less people read comics.
Adam responds: “That’s just wrong, from a sales point of view. Comics sales are growing and have been for a decade. Incrementally, sure, and you have normalize the spike and crash of Covid, but growth nonetheless. Anyone who says different does not have access or is refusing to look at the larger sales numbers. Or, they have some other incentive to spread unsubstantiated bad news.”
Uhh..?? That’s some response. He even implied people have a secret incentive to spread bad news. What the fuck? Ask a local comic shop owner if things are going well right now, I’ll wait.
Someone else chimes in on this thread, named geeksdustyattic and points out he’s been a comic seller since the early nineties and that most of his profit comes from back issues, as modern readers are tired of endless rebooted series and “event” storytelling. You know, like modern readers have kept loudly saying for over a decade now.
Adam responds: “The Big 2 are doing just fine, thanks. Single Issue sales have been consistently growing for the past 2+ years and are growing rapidly this year. I’m sorry to hear that your business isn’t doing well during this period but perhaps that means there’s something in your model that should shift.”
From “The Big 2 are doing just fine, thanks” being so snarky and condescending to “sorry to hear that your business isnt doing well” etc.- the attitude of this guy is increasingly revealing that he is, in fact, a prick. And his own status within the slowly shrinking comics industry means that, pathologically, he cannot entertain any lesser beings daring to speak against the narrative he wishes to discuss.
Let’s remember: the title of his video is the DEATH of comics journalism, for God’s sake. And if you respond to discuss potential death causes, you get talked at, not talked to.
A user named ArtistsEditionIndex chimes in with “Money makes things happen” and then asks if Heidi pays her staff.
Adam responds: “There are many paid staff positions (including those who work for Heidi). There are also many unpaid staff positions for those who are passionate and looking for a way in.”
Ah… the IRONY. That last part is one of my exact fucking points. That’s one of the reasons that “comics journalism” is so mired in throwaway, empty content. The fact that he chooses not to get it- wow. I don’t mean to be like Rich Johnston and include every disagreement, but I am again reminded you cannot get any discussion going where you disagree without people accusing you of things. Gang, I speak out and you know when I insult people. (See: Cimino, John)
What the comics upper class can’t tolerate is anyone saying something they don’t want to hear. The Crash of ’29 is coming sooner than later. We’ll see how the Bourgeoisie comics illuminati manage it- and spin it.
(and thanks to LSC for rushing to my defense. Prada should recognize she only found his video from reading this site!)
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Hello there,
just read your piece and as always you hit the nail on the top.
All this “comic-thing” out there in the net is mostly ridicioulous if not even disturbing…think about your remark of “look like all the same guy”…laughed my ass off, by the way. Great remark and true.
I read comic books since I could read…around 7 or so…and still do…turning 54 this year. Sure in the beginning as a child and later as a twen I gave it much more interest as now…but this is the way of life…but I never saw comics as an other thing than to entertain me and to slip in other peoples stories.
But today with the net and the rise of the MCU are much more people aware of this once niche and try to get a piece of all the money that is around…just See your pieces of Stan Lee, Roy Thomas and these predators around them….
Maybe in the old days of comic fandom it was the same…but on a very much more smaller scale…don’t know…wasn’t around then…but it didn’t get better these days…not only for comics but for the whole world…hope we get through.
But whatever…I say thank you for your cool blog and your deep thoughts about the c- industry…it is very interesting and entertaining..even when I don’t agree with everything you write..but this is in the best aspects of a free discussion…in the old days you would have given a good Walter-Winchell-Type in real Newspaper!
So, keep up your good work and stay safe in this whacky world.
Regards from Germany Lars
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Your last paragraph. Yep, politics aside, it doesn’t take an economist to see how the converging tracks are going to make October 1929 look like a simple market correction. Get ready for six-year deep recession. I’m hopelessly sunny when I approach any news item and I so hope I’m wrong, but very soon, the last thing people will care about is comic books when jobs and homes are scarce.
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Most Mainstream Comic Book ‘Readers’ long ago either grew up or realized that the 10th variation of ‘Secret Wars’ was just regurgitating the same story yet again decade after decade.
The numbers dwindled.
The Comics Journal tried to teach people to appreciate the art form, but Comic Book Stores saw dollar signs in the eyes of man-children by selling variant covers, 1:100 issues, and the next crossover, etc.
Isn’t that the way Stan Lee taught them all to do it? The truth? LOL. Stan the Man taught: Make that money motherfucker!
This hobby got what it deserved.
I find it appalling that comic book ‘journalists’ are crying because their market is sinking. As Will points out, most of you just printed press releases. There was no ‘art’ critique of this business. Endless hacks repeating the same story.
This is a party that’s long been over and it just has a bunch of people still standing around drunk, and crying that they want it to go on.
You’re better off reading manga.
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I’m appreciative for all of these engaging comments which add more to the topic, but wanted to especially point out Chuck Gower commenting, author of the best-selling “Stan Lee Lied“- when I did my last article, about what Lee critics should stop doing, I initially included Chuck along with Riesman and Hill as authors who have compiled convincing and factual-based arguments into book form.
A friendly acquaintance suggested to me that I should not include Chuck, for the simple fact that his book was still relatively new and a hot topic of discussion. Also, I criticized some (not all!) of the Marvel Method group, where Chuck remains a contributor. Allow me to use this comment now to make up for that removal, as it really just hit me how much Chuck would not give a shit if anyone who bashes me here (“Rosp”, “Real_1”, etc.) goes and bashes him– they likely already have, ’cause there ain’t so comics cult like the Stan cult.
I suggest looking up ‘Stan Lee Lied’ on Bookshop.org (’cause I won’t support Amazon) if you’re interested in this much-discussed tome.
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