In more than 30 years in comics there is one things I am proud of. I
have never ever mistreated a fellow creator, cheated anyone or lied to
anyone –there would be no point. Unlike the multitude of people who
attack me online in groups or on CBO, my details are public. I do not
use a pseudonym anywhere.
I notice “Mr Ben” has gone quiet after making an accusation against
me and my promising to sue him for every penny (ISPs no longer protect
flamers and you get a legal notice and they bend over quick) because I
had never ever worked with him on Thundercats comic!!! How I cheated him
on that I have no idea but he won’t put up.
The internet has allowed one thing: it has allowed cowards who hide
behind pseudonyms and disposable emails (you cannot hide your IP
Address) to lie and spread malicious rumours. They think that in the
computer age they are safe. They act all friendly toward you at events
but then immediately snipe at you anonymously on the internet and
stating as “fact” things I’ve deliberately told them to make them look
idiots.
Why not put all this negative energy into trying to revive the UK
comic industry? Is it because now it is the “done thing” to be
absolutely negative about everything and everyone while making sure
“number one”(self) is taken care of? Not surprising when this is the
sort of attitude promoted by every newspaper and TV programme that (to
roars of laughter from audiences) mocks celebrities or people in the
news using any disability?
Charles Kennedy, for Liberal Democrat leader resigned and announced
that he was struggling with alcoholism. That was a few years ago but
still the jokes flow. A certain muslim cleric with hooks for hands was
the subject of non-stop sick jokes on Mock The Week (a weekly ‘new
satire’ show) for 20 minutes in a 30 minute programme. Okay, I don’t
like the man and his ideas but to ridicule over physical disabilities?
The same show brought out a “Too Hot For TV” dvd in which blind
politician David Blunkett was incessantly the butt of jokes…because he
was blind.
You can pick examples from every walk of life and every media. What
was it Morrissey sang “don’t you hate it when your friends are famous
and Northern”? Now it is ANYONE trying to be positive and do something
good who is attacked. Two people on the bus today were reading the
Metro newspaper and something about a person raising money for charity
–“Yeah, and how much of that do they pocket?” was the remark.
I’ve seen this same attitude sweep into comics and it is why we
do not have any industry now.
I took a look at
The Dandy comic today. No
wonder its sales are still falling. Will they try something new? No.
Thomson is in the position where it could make itself a big –if not
the only- player in comics. Instead it allows the same people to flop from one disaster to another.
How long before someone in management looks at what is going on and
actually decides its time for a clean sweep? I can see them cancelling
comics –sorry “comic”- and saying “there is no market there any more”.
Bullshit.
I sell more books than Thomson sells copies of
Dandy.
Why do Cinebook sales rise? Why are people telling me that each
month they are ordering Franco-Belgian BD from Europe? Within two years
Thomson’s comic output could be increased and its position
strengthened. WHY would any company produce inferior product and put it
on the market place and see
awful sales and continue to produce that product. I seriously think this is a tax dodge.
It was one of “The Big Two” but that was over 30 years ago.
I can seriously see European publishers (and they are looking) move
in and take over the UK with no opposition because they respect the
creators, the art and the product as well as the customer.
Weekly comics? No. Never happen. In the last 25 years there has been
no attempt to encourage kids to go out and buy a comic. Its okay for
educationalists and government ministers to say “improve your childs
literacy by buying him/her a comic” –WHAT COMIC??? The US reprints or
they toys with some pretense at a comic attached? Or, gods help us –
The Dandy???
I even had a blazing argument with some idiot (
Ihatebooks@hotmail.com)
about the Bristol comic expo. Apparently, its “crap” –I’m not involved
in the Expo but it is the best in the UK and Mike has led it from a
small event to what it is today. A super and must-go-to event.
As far as I am concerned the UK has the industry the professionals in
it want. A dying hulk…in fact “hulk” is building it up too much. “a
dying carcass might be more appropriate.”
You fellas know who you are. Well done.
And for me, well, there is nothing more to discuss or say.
I urge you all to, like myself, try to support and promote the Small
Press and good Indie comics as well as events associated with them
because they are all we have.
