Comments on: On the critic’s role — UPDATE http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sun, 8 Nov 2009 17:34:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Comics Reviews: Who, What, Where, How and Why « Meanwhile…Comics! http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2508772 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:24:06 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2508772 [...] Whoops!  This mistake quickly attracted the attention of others.  Heidi McDonald of “The Beat” was probably the first to notice and comment on the error, and you can read her reply at http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/.  She rightly points out that he used a different artist’s work to complain about one artist, but then she spends most of the post defending Eduardo Risso, which seems to detract from her main focus; Berlatsky made a mistake.  From there, things snowballed, with others joining in to condemn Berlatsky, comics writer Mark Waid getting involved, and generally unpleasant comments being thrown back and forth. [...] […] Whoops!  This mistake quickly attracted the attention of others.  Heidi McDonald of “The Beat” was probably the first to notice and comment on the error, and you can read her reply at http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/.  She rightly points out that he used a different artist’s work to complain about one artist, but then she spends most of the post defending Eduardo Risso, which seems to detract from her main focus; Berlatsky made a mistake.  From there, things snowballed, with others joining in to condemn Berlatsky, comics writer Mark Waid getting involved, and generally unpleasant comments being thrown back and forth. […]

]]> by: Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Everyone’s A Critic: Eduardo Risso sucks!* http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2494079 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:41:23 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2494079 [...] That gaffe led in turn to a whole brouhaha on Berlatsky’s blog and The Beat, where scores of commentators opened fire, either dismissing Berlatsky as “a yutz with a keyboard,” insulting him or sternly chiding him for not doing his homework (which in this case would have involved looking at the credits page). [...] […] That gaffe led in turn to a whole brouhaha on Berlatsky’s blog and The Beat, where scores of commentators opened fire, either dismissing Berlatsky as “a yutz with a keyboard,” insulting him or sternly chiding him for not doing his homework (which in this case would have involved looking at the credits page). […]

]]> by: The Beat http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2481173 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:10:51 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2481173 Noah, your tone here way over the line of rudeness. Guess it's time to roll up the carpet. Noah, your tone here way over the line of rudeness. Guess it’s time to roll up the carpet.

]]> by: Noah Berlatsky http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2481150 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:01:11 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2481150 Hope this isn't a double post... Gene; yes, but some of us are more attention-starved than others. John, I know nothing about you...but you know how to write a funny blog comment. Kudos. Jim -- you are not exactly driving me away here by *linking to my piece*. But thanks. In truth, I'd just as soon have people read my positive reviews. Here are links to one about mainstream writer Jeff Parker and little-known mini-comic creator and artist Edie Fake. Will anyone click on these and *not* on the Spiegelman review I wonder...? http://hoodedutilitarian.blogspot.com/2008/01/identity-art.html http://hoodedutilitarian.blogspot.com/2008/10/man-who-will-save-comics.html Hope this isn’t a double post…

Gene; yes, but some of us are more attention-starved than others.

John, I know nothing about you…but you know how to write a funny blog comment. Kudos.

Jim — you are not exactly driving me away here by *linking to my piece*. But thanks.

In truth, I’d just as soon have people read my positive reviews. Here are links to one about mainstream writer Jeff Parker and little-known mini-comic creator and artist Edie Fake. Will anyone click on these and *not* on the Spiegelman review I wonder…?

http://hoodedutilitarian.blogspot.com/2008/01/identity-art.html

http://hoodedutilitarian.blogspot.com/2008/10/man-who-will-save-comics.html

]]> by: gene phillips http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2481138 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:49:42 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2481138 Jim D., To be fair, doesn't everyone who bothers to write/post anything on the Web want attention/interaction of some sort? Jim D.,

To be fair, doesn’t everyone who bothers to write/post anything on the Web want attention/interaction of some sort?

]]> by: Jim D. http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2481108 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:40:37 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2481108 I think everyone should remember that this is the same Noah Berlatsky who titled a review of Art Spiegelman's 9/11 book thusly: IN THE SHADOW OF NO TALENT: http://hoodedutilitarian.blogspot.com/2008/09/shadow-of-no-talent.html I didn't like that book much either, but "no talent"? I think it's pretty clear what he's after, and here we are giving it to him....damn. I think everyone should remember that this is the same Noah Berlatsky who titled a review of Art Spiegelman’s 9/11 book thusly: IN THE SHADOW OF NO TALENT: http://hoodedutilitarian.blogspot.com/2008/09/shadow-of-no-talent.html

I didn’t like that book much either, but “no talent”?

I think it’s pretty clear what he’s after, and here we are giving it to him….damn.

]]> by: John E Williams http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480996 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:19:35 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480996 I was going to post an opinion about Noah Berlatsky's opinion when I suddenly realized <i>I know nothing about Noah Berlatsky,</i> not a single blessed thing. Panicked, I rushed about the web, searching for something to know about Noah Berlatsky (hasn't this fucker won ONE single award?), but I came up with nothing (of note) . I was about to give up and live with the sad reality that expressing my opinions about Noah Berlatsky's opinions would be forbidden by the Comics In-Crowd Prime Directive when suddenly Noah Berlatsky himself posted "I hope you’ve enjoyed your run of sub-Claremont hackery." <i>Ohhhh,</i> I breathed with relief, <i>motherfucker writes for the Comics Journal!!</i> Dude, your opinions SUCK. I was going to post an opinion about Noah Berlatsky’s opinion when I suddenly realized I know nothing about Noah Berlatsky, not a single blessed thing. Panicked, I rushed about the web, searching for something to know about Noah Berlatsky (hasn’t this fucker won ONE single award?), but I came up with nothing (of note) . I was about to give up and live with the sad reality that expressing my opinions about Noah Berlatsky’s opinions would be forbidden by the Comics In-Crowd Prime Directive when suddenly Noah Berlatsky himself posted “I hope you’ve enjoyed your run of sub-Claremont hackery.” Ohhhh, I breathed with relief, motherfucker writes for the Comics Journal!!

Dude, your opinions SUCK.

]]> by: gene phillips http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480930 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:09:37 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480930 Just to rag on something new, I'll say that I don't see anything "ugly" about the inserts in the Johnson piece. They're pretty much routine visual noir tropes-- guys with guns, a hand with a weird sigil-- and I've certainly seen covers that organized such inserts, or comparable background montages, much more adroitly. But I don't see "ugly." Just to rag on something new, I’ll say that I don’t see anything “ugly” about the inserts in the Johnson piece. They’re pretty much routine visual noir tropes– guys with guns, a hand with a weird sigil– and I’ve certainly seen covers that organized such inserts, or comparable background montages, much more adroitly.

But I don’t see “ugly.”

]]> by: Noah Berlatsky http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480761 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:38:27 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480761 Hey Mark! I'm on my tenth or eleventh Internet brouhaha at this point, actually. But, yes, I'm enjoying the moment, as I hope you've enjoyed your run of sub-Claremont hackery. Really, seeing you pop up and offer aesthetic opinions is like that old Dr. Johnson joke about the dog walking on hind legs...you don't do it especially well, but it's surprising to see you do it at all. Cbrown, I'm a critic because....I write for the Comics Journal! I have a column on Comixology! I'm really important! So, there, now that I've shown you my resume, you can put me in the "trusted source" box and get all exercised. Oh, and Eric Clapton sucks, too. Stevie Ray Vaughn isn't so good either. I'm not a huge, huge Howard Chaykin fan necessarily, though I do like his art better than Risso's. Hey Mark! I’m on my tenth or eleventh Internet brouhaha at this point, actually. But, yes, I’m enjoying the moment, as I hope you’ve enjoyed your run of sub-Claremont hackery. Really, seeing you pop up and offer aesthetic opinions is like that old Dr. Johnson joke about the dog walking on hind legs…you don’t do it especially well, but it’s surprising to see you do it at all.

Cbrown, I’m a critic because….I write for the Comics Journal! I have a column on Comixology! I’m really important! So, there, now that I’ve shown you my resume, you can put me in the “trusted source” box and get all exercised.

Oh, and Eric Clapton sucks, too. Stevie Ray Vaughn isn’t so good either.

I’m not a huge, huge Howard Chaykin fan necessarily, though I do like his art better than Risso’s.

]]> by: rev'D http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480371 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:52:35 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480371 I just thought the 'Risso's no Howard Chaykin' comparison was funny considering Chaykin wrote an intro to 100 BULLETS vol. 3, 'Hang Up On The Hang Low', <i>praising</i> Risso. I just thought the ‘Risso’s no Howard Chaykin’ comparison was funny considering Chaykin wrote an intro to 100 BULLETS vol. 3, ‘Hang Up On The Hang Low’, praising Risso.

]]> by: Paul O'Brien http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480160 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:00:06 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480160 Extraordinarily thin skin, apparently. Seriously, people, do you get this worked up EVERY time somebody expresses a hard-to-defend opinion on the internet? When do you find time to sleep? Extraordinarily thin skin, apparently.

Seriously, people, do you get this worked up EVERY time somebody expresses a hard-to-defend opinion on the internet?

When do you find time to sleep?

]]> by: Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » Oct. 16, 2008: No goodwill in the markets http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480157 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:59:19 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2480157 [...] [Commentary] 100 Bullets: Heidi MacDonald vs. Noah Berlatsky. [...] […] [Commentary] 100 Bullets: Heidi MacDonald vs. Noah Berlatsky. […]

]]> by: cbrown http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2479249 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:24:22 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2479249 Well, I agree that was a pretty dumb review. I even dug out my old issues to see if Risso’s older work was worse than I’d remembered. It wasn’t. I mean, sure, art is subjective, but saying that Risso’s figures are stiff, his anatomy off, his composition and storytelling poor, his work lacking in sexiness and mood, and that he doesn’t have “the chops”, is like saying, “If you want to rock, you gotta work that guitar, man, and this Eric Clapton guy just ain’t doin’ it.” And making that comment about Eric Clapton when you’re actually listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn. No one can actually stop you from having that opinion, but … The real question for me is: who gives a shit what Noah Berlatsky says? Why is there this gnashing of teeth over this “critic/trusted source”? I do, in fact, gnash my teeth when my trusted sources say and write stupid things. But what makes Noah Berlatsky a critic/trusted source? Why is it that in the world of comics, the title “critic” is bestowed upon anyone with a blog? Or rather, why does the comics world accept anyone who self-appoints themselves a critic, as a critic? I suppose the beauty of the internet is that it is democratizing, and every schmoe can put their two cents out there. But I don’t see why I should regard someone as a “critic/trusted source” just because they have a blogger account, or write reviews on Amazon. I’ve been wondering for awhile about the role of critics in the arts. In short, exactly why should I care about Frank Rich or Ben Brantley or Michiko Kakutani’s opinions over anyone elses’? I don’t quite understand how or why their criticism is legitimized over others’, but it somehow is, for better or for worse. Whereas Noah Berlatsky is just some dude with a blog. There are literally thousands of dudes with blogs saying all sorts of crap about all sorts of subjects, so why is everyone so pissed off about this one post? Well, I agree that was a pretty dumb review. I even dug out my old issues to see if Risso’s older work was worse than I’d remembered. It wasn’t. I mean, sure, art is subjective, but saying that Risso’s figures are stiff, his anatomy off, his composition and storytelling poor, his work lacking in sexiness and mood, and that he doesn’t have “the chops”, is like saying, “If you want to rock, you gotta work that guitar, man, and this Eric Clapton guy just ain’t doin’ it.” And making that comment about Eric Clapton when you’re actually listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn. No one can actually stop you from having that opinion, but …

The real question for me is: who gives a shit what Noah Berlatsky says? Why is there this gnashing of teeth over this “critic/trusted source”? I do, in fact, gnash my teeth when my trusted sources say and write stupid things. But what makes Noah Berlatsky a critic/trusted source? Why is it that in the world of comics, the title “critic” is bestowed upon anyone with a blog? Or rather, why does the comics world accept anyone who self-appoints themselves a critic, as a critic?

I suppose the beauty of the internet is that it is democratizing, and every schmoe can put their two cents out there. But I don’t see why I should regard someone as a “critic/trusted source” just because they have a blogger account, or write reviews on Amazon. I’ve been wondering for awhile about the role of critics in the arts. In short, exactly why should I care about Frank Rich or Ben Brantley or Michiko Kakutani’s opinions over anyone elses’? I don’t quite understand how or why their criticism is legitimized over others’, but it somehow is, for better or for worse. Whereas Noah Berlatsky is just some dude with a blog. There are literally thousands of dudes with blogs saying all sorts of crap about all sorts of subjects, so why is everyone so pissed off about this one post?

]]> by: Mark Waid http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2479154 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:09:12 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2479154 "Hey all. I’ve got a follow up post here:" Or, to put it another way, "HEY!!!! LOOK AT ME, EVERYBODY!!!!!!" I repeat: I hope this halfwit is enjoying his moment in the sun, since it's probably the only one he'll ever get. C'mon, everybody...let the baby have his bottle. Move along. Nothin' to see here. “Hey all. I’ve got a follow up post here:”

Or, to put it another way, “HEY!!!! LOOK AT ME, EVERYBODY!!!!!!”

I repeat: I hope this halfwit is enjoying his moment in the sun, since it’s probably the only one he’ll ever get. C’mon, everybody…let the baby have his bottle. Move along. Nothin’ to see here.

]]> by: Noah Berlatsky http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2478886 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:30:37 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2478886 Oh...and my apologies, Heidi, for misidentifying the Beat. You and Newsarama both linked to me and I had a brain fart. My bad. Oh…and my apologies, Heidi, for misidentifying the Beat. You and Newsarama both linked to me and I had a brain fart. My bad.

]]> by: Patricia Mulvihill http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2478718 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:28:39 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2478718 Suddenly I feel a lot perkier, heading into the night shift and working on #97. A little creative caffeine, thanks. And yeah, I'm going to cry my eyes out when it's over. For real. I know how lucky I am to work with Risso. The best. Suddenly I feel a lot perkier, heading into the night shift and working on #97. A little creative caffeine, thanks.

And yeah, I’m going to cry my eyes out when it’s over. For real. I know how lucky I am to work with Risso. The best.

]]> by: Noah Berlatsky http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2478709 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:23:52 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2478709 Hey all. I've got a follow up post here: http://hoodedutilitarian.blogspot.com/2008/10/knowledge-is-power-to-be-stupid.html Hey all. I’ve got a follow up post here:

http://hoodedutilitarian.blogspot.com/2008/10/knowledge-is-power-to-be-stupid.html

]]> by: The Dane http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2478597 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:31:32 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2478597 pssst, JH... "mediums" <i>is</i> one of two plural forms of "medium." pssst, JH… “mediums” is one of two plural forms of “medium.”

]]> by: Leialoha http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2478207 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:10:14 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2478207 Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if their opinion is that "Risso is a lousy artist" then everything else he has to say not worth my time. In my opinion. 100 Bullets is consistently one of my favorites for art these days. Even if Lono doesn't look Hawaiian. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if their opinion is that “Risso is a lousy artist” then everything else he has to say not worth my time. In my opinion. 100 Bullets is consistently one of my favorites for art these days. Even if Lono doesn’t look Hawaiian.

]]> by: Paul O'Brien http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477907 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:23:07 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477907 My god, a blogger I've never heard of has given a negative review to a comic from 1999. It must apparently be some sort of scandal. My god, a blogger I’ve never heard of has given a negative review to a comic from 1999.

It must apparently be some sort of scandal.

]]> by: Matthew J. Brady http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477655 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:28:19 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477655 Leave it to Abhay, one of the most opinionated, incisive, obnoxious critics out there (in my mind at least, and don't think for a second that that's not a compliment), to be the voice of reason. Just because somebody disagrees with you doesn't mean you have to take it personally. Instead, it should give you something to think about, and discuss (hopefully civilly). It's exactly what I've seen discussed lately by people like Dick Hyacinth and Tucker Stone, except this isn't superhero comics, where any criticism of say, Nightwing, makes fans scream in anger as if a random pedestrian suddenly started trying to stab them with a screwdriver. I guess Vertigo isn't all that far removed from that sort of thing, but I would have hoped that an (intended) adult audience could respond to this sort of thing in a more adult fashion. Leave it to Abhay, one of the most opinionated, incisive, obnoxious critics out there (in my mind at least, and don’t think for a second that that’s not a compliment), to be the voice of reason. Just because somebody disagrees with you doesn’t mean you have to take it personally. Instead, it should give you something to think about, and discuss (hopefully civilly). It’s exactly what I’ve seen discussed lately by people like Dick Hyacinth and Tucker Stone, except this isn’t superhero comics, where any criticism of say, Nightwing, makes fans scream in anger as if a random pedestrian suddenly started trying to stab them with a screwdriver. I guess Vertigo isn’t all that far removed from that sort of thing, but I would have hoped that an (intended) adult audience could respond to this sort of thing in a more adult fashion.

]]> by: The Beat http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477599 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:08:42 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477599 I actually thought Berlatsky's criticisms of David Heatley, which I also linked to, were quite well thought out and in-depth. Yes, I like Risso more than Heatley, but the difference between the two pieces is striking. In my opinion. I actually thought Berlatsky’s criticisms of David Heatley, which I also linked to, were quite well thought out and in-depth. Yes, I like Risso more than Heatley, but the difference between the two pieces is striking.

In my opinion.

]]> by: Jim Kingman http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477590 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:02:57 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477590 Mr. Berlatsky specifically states that he writes "ill-tempered criticism." And it appears from a couple of replies to comments at his blog that he's not very polite. No Roger Ebert of comics criticism is he! Mr. Berlatsky specifically states that he writes “ill-tempered criticism.” And it appears from a couple of replies to comments at his blog that he’s not very polite. No Roger Ebert of comics criticism is he!

]]> by: Michael http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477394 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:03:22 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477394 There are good critics and bad critics, just as with anything else. So I guess even when you're looking to someone else to help form your opinion, you still have to investigate for yourself whether or not that person is worth listening to. If only we had a set of critics *for* the critics... There are good critics and bad critics, just as with anything else. So I guess even when you’re looking to someone else to help form your opinion, you still have to investigate for yourself whether or not that person is worth listening to.

If only we had a set of critics *for* the critics…

]]> by: The Beat http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477324 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:51:51 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477324 I see in an update, Berlatsky has also typed NEWSARAMA when he is clearly referring to The Beat. Deliberate jibe or can he really not tell the difference? I see in an update, Berlatsky has also typed NEWSARAMA when he is clearly referring to The Beat. Deliberate jibe or can he really not tell the difference?

]]> by: Brian Wood http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477149 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:16:28 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477149 In the comments Noah proudly refers to his writing as "sneering" at creators. Which, right there, tells me all I need to know. In the comments Noah proudly refers to his writing as “sneering” at creators. Which, right there, tells me all I need to know.

]]> by: Ian Brill http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477109 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:08:24 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477109 Ahem, "...from my days as a critic I learned there's a value..." is how that should read. Let this also be a lesson :) Ahem, “…from my days as a critic I learned there’s a value…” is how that should read. Let this also be a lesson :)

]]> by: Tom Spurgeon http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477097 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:03:37 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477097 I've written dumber! I’ve written dumber!

]]> by: Ross Richie http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477091 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:00:44 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477091 Amazing, as both of the noir artists Noah cite are/were fans of Dave Johnson. I don't as much take issue with Noah's opinion of Dave's work -- I think he's dead wrong, but entitled to his opinion -- as I do that if Noah's going to conduct critical analysis of someone's work and post it to an audience, he ought to be familiar with what kind of profile they have professionally. "Whoever this Rothko guy is, he sucks!" Dave has won Emmy Awards. He's won Eisner Awards. He's been in the business for 15 years. He designed BEN 10, which was a huge merchandising and ratings hit for the Cartoon Network worldwide. You can think his stuff sucks. But I think it's just inexcusable to not do a simple Google search (the terms "Dave Johnson comic book" give you everything you need to know) for an artist you are about to label as "lousy" and "dumb." It undermines credibility as someone with an informed opinion worth listening to. Respectfully, -R Amazing, as both of the noir artists Noah cite are/were fans of Dave Johnson.

I don’t as much take issue with Noah’s opinion of Dave’s work — I think he’s dead wrong, but entitled to his opinion — as I do that if Noah’s going to conduct critical analysis of someone’s work and post it to an audience, he ought to be familiar with what kind of profile they have professionally.

“Whoever this Rothko guy is, he sucks!”

Dave has won Emmy Awards. He’s won Eisner Awards. He’s been in the business for 15 years. He designed BEN 10, which was a huge merchandising and ratings hit for the Cartoon Network worldwide.

You can think his stuff sucks. But I think it’s just inexcusable to not do a simple Google search (the terms “Dave Johnson comic book” give you everything you need to know) for an artist you are about to label as “lousy” and “dumb.”

It undermines credibility as someone with an informed opinion worth listening to.

Respectfully,
-R

]]> by: Cully Hamner http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477075 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:56:25 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/10/15/on-the-critics-role/#comment-2477075 Risso "lousy" and lacking "chops?" Johnson's work "dumb?" Sorry, but that's just objectively wrong. I bet if you polled the artists working in the business-- the people who know what goes into doing this job well-- you'd have a very, VERY hard time finding anyone who doesn't admire the hell out of both these guys' talent and skill. I don't think this guy really knows the meaning of "chops." To paraphrase the Ricky Roma character in GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS: "If he ever spent a day in his life, he'd know." Risso “lousy” and lacking “chops?” Johnson’s work “dumb?” Sorry, but that’s just objectively wrong. I bet if you polled the artists working in the business– the people who know what goes into doing this job well– you’d have a very, VERY hard time finding anyone who doesn’t admire the hell out of both these guys’ talent and skill.

I don’t think this guy really knows the meaning of “chops.” To paraphrase the Ricky Roma character in GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS: “If he ever spent a day in his life, he’d know.”

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