Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott recently told a poster at the Comic Book Resources Spider-Man forum to go F-themselves. A poster by the name of lejayjay had a snarky comment about Slott saying
It is jus a paycheck for Slott anyway. He’s not a real fan.
Slott then replied with this comment.
As a guy who turned down a side job this year for a paycheck that would’ve been over a third of his yearly income– BECAUSE it would’ve meant cutting back on his not-so-lucrative comic book writing career– and get in the way of working on his Spider-Man dream job…
…and the guy who slept less than 12 hours over the course of 4 days this week working on a script while he was sick… a guy who finally had to be ORDERED off it by his editor to go see a doctor… and is still in a good deal of pain today…
…this is the first time I think I’ve ever said this to somebody over a comic book message board:
Go fuck yourself.
Seriously.
Go. Fuck. Yourself.
Now I post this not to bring up the Slott/ Crawlspace disagreement again, but it opens a good point of discussion.
Should the pro’s be held to a different standard when it comes to online behavior?
Should they bite their tongues?
Are they risking future sales to an already small audience, when they tell a potential or current customer to go f-themselves?
I’d like your thoughts in the comment section or on this thread on our message board. Remember no personal attacks, keep it civil. Refresh yourselves on the rules before you post.
CBR has since deleted the post however Google was able to take a cache of it before it was deleted. Here’s the link.
@362:
At least I got to lick the salt off first…
Steve Wacker, I actually don’t read an angry tone into your posts. I think you’re playing a game and amusing yourself, and you don’t care enough about what posters here think about you to really get angry about this. Your neverending jibes, though, do have the effect of making you appear adversarial to the people posting here.
I did read an angry tone into Slott’s “go. fuck. yourself.” comment, though. I think that’s justified. There’s something about putting a period after every word that makes it sound like one really means what one is typing. I think Slott really hoped that person would go and fuck himself.
Javi, I only kiss up to my girlfriend when she’s angry at me. And occasionally to my boss. For the record I am pretty indifferent about this whole thing. Mostly because I have a thick skin and don’t get offended by every f-bomb I see on the internet. This thread is more entertaining than 90% of the current comics out there, which is why I’ve enjoyed it so thoroughly. I think Wacker’s shooting himself in the foot a bit by getting so involved in this thread, but do I personally care what he says or does? No, believe me I’ve got MUCH bigger concerns. I just think some of the hysterical rhetoric I’ve seen from people attacking him here (such as Flying Tiger) goes far beyond the original sin of anything said by Slott or even the guy insulting Slott.
PS: There’s still a chance he could bring back Ben Reilly. 🙁
Peter Parker wouldn’t have put this post up in the in the first place.
it seems more a case of Flash Thompson to our Peter Parker
323 Andrew-I was merely pointing out something else relevant to this discussion. My friends and I make your mom jokes at each other’s expense all the time. I think it’s ridiculous to accuse me of policing the internet because I pointed this out to others as this adds to the debate on the line of communication between “professional/creator” and “fan/reader/customer”. what crosses the line? when is it all in good fun? And stop trying to kiss up to Mr. Wacker, he said he wasn’t bringing back Ben Reilly.
CrazyChris and others…try not reading my (or any) posts in the angry tone you are projecting onto it. That will help everything go down better in life.
I’ve actually given some pretty good insight about the business in this thread, though you may have missed it amidst other people’s anger vomit.
“Who took the last cashew?”
It was me it’s my weakness. Sorry 🙁
Also @Wacker:
You’re even annoying fans/customers who actually *support* you…
T’aint good.
Who took the last cashew?
@ 353 So does that make Slott Human Torch? 😉
I am Snooki to your The Situation.
“I am Spider-man to your Doctor Octopus”
I am Skeets to your Booster Gold
Wait that sounds weird…
@Wacker — What I said is I don’t think you care what the people on this board think of you. It’s obvious that you don’t. And I don’t think you should write your stories based on what fans say they want. I just think it would make more sense if you tried to cultivate good will instead of taking such an adversarial stance. For example, it would have made more sense if Dan Slott said “Actually, this isn’t just a paycheck to me. In fact, I turned down a higher-paying job to stay on Spider-Man and I’m working long hours while I’m sick. I can assure you that I love Spider-Man every bit as much as anyone on this board!” That would have gotten his point across and made it look like we’re all part of the same club. Instead, he made a comment that, right or wrong, had the effect of poorly representing Marvel (and I doubt anyone keeps track of who is a freelancer and who is on a contract, they will be perceived to represent the company either way).
@Wacker:
They’re SATCHELS, dang it!!
@345 – Sorry to make you read through all this “tripe”, Mr. Wacker…but turnabout is fair play. After all, judging by the reviews I’ve read from SEVERAL different sources, that’s how the general perception of ASM has been: Tripe.
Interesting and entertaining read here, fellas.
By now, I’m sure most of you know and realize that Stephen is simply trolling you all. He’s enjoying this and having himself a good chuckle at how seriously you’re all taking the matter. Immaturity at it’s best. So it is pretty futile to ask him any serious questions, as he’ll simply answer them in his usual way, and that is not getting you anywhere. Bottom line, the man is not professional enough and does not want to deal with fans maturely. It’s quite sad, but true. Oh, and if I know his type as well as I think I do, then he’ll take the bait right now as well 😉
As for the Dan Slott issue, I can understand him being mad, but saying the F word, yes it was over the line. But I doubt he cares. Stephen certainly doesn’t. You wonder if even Quesada cares. It’d be really interesting to get him on here next and seeing what he has to say. Hey Stephen, there’s a good idea. Anywho, Brad posted this to cause traffic for his site, and he sure did. That was a smart business move on his part. And I think it’s given most of us and Stephen a lot to talk about here for the past two days. At least it livens things up for a bit. So for that, we should thank the man. Ah well, I’m done now, I just wanted to say something here since everyone else was :p
I am Spider-man to your Doctor Octopus.
While it’s a shame that Slott said that to a fan (which there’s no way you can possibly defend that, regardless of how offended he felt) it’s even worse that Wacker came here and stirred the pot further with his usual snark. I’ve seen nothing from him but pushing and prodding conflict with completely classless comments aimed at people who don’t agree with him or the books direction. It’s not funny or clever, it’s just childish.
And this is coming from someone who generally enjoys ASM and likes the direction the books are headed in, so I can’t be told I’m saying this ‘just cause I have a bias’ or something. I want this team to succeed, I really do.
But whatever, cue Wacker’s signature remarks.
mmm…tripe
(Said in my best Homer Simpson voice, which also happens to be my worst).
🙁
Can I at least get a Hypno-Hustler?
Slott you, Ben Reilly!
@345
Yeah, Wacker, that’s all well and good, but what about Ben Reilly coming back? :-/
Screw rootbeer. I need a scotch after going through all these comments… Let’s do it Don Draper style.
So… how did you guys like The Walking Dead finale? Kirkman is a genius comic book writer. Get him on ASM!
Now now…Of course I care about you. I’m here reading this tripe (though some of you mix in some good jibes).
However I don’t think good stories come out of trying to set your clock by whatever a group of mostly anonymous people will pretend to be up in arms about on any given day. For as much as many of you are clutching your handbags in offense, my suspicion is that if this epithet were aimed the other way, most of you’d have no problem….since you know Spider-Man is ruined forever(!!!) and all that.
SW
@#343:
Shall I pour you a Barq’s?
Cubes or crushed?
… are those cashews? I LOVE cashews!!!!
*Stephen Wacker and Dan Slott don’t care
I think Stephen Wacker don’t care what people on this board think of them because they don’t believe they are loosing a significant amount of sales, at least not significant enough to impact their livelihoods. I happen to know that my word-of-mouth has affected the buying habits of other people not otherwise interested in comic, and that those people have went on to pass the words to their friends, so I honestly believe that each person on a message board can have an exponential impact on sales beyond his or her personal buying. That’s why if I were an editor of a publication (and I am, of a legal journal), I would not get into online sparring matches with any potential buyers, regardless of how insignificant a subset they seemed.
So OP apologizes because Dan completely misread his post
and completely missed the point…
Still think no one should ever post “that suggestion” to any one. Ever.
So, overall, I’d say Dan has quite the mess of ostrich-sized egg on his face.
Look before you leap – OR post. Or leap a post.
Pass the cashews and pour me a Barq’s.
NOTE: I was replying to 333
And John carrion:
I was talking more about the overall issues of the industry as a whole. Though those problems are certainly prevalent in ASM
It is common sense.
I just think that Mr. Wacker and Mr. Slott do not believe their behavior is being detirmental to Marvel’s image.
Although I do want to adress Mr. Wacker via 331:
I find it sad that some people, myself included, have been trying to have a friendly intelligent debate about something we are passionate about, and we get is harsh sarcasm back instead.
We all want the industry to suceed, and we have dfferent points of view and opinions on the situation. That being said, let’s work together and see what we can do to fix the situation. And that has to start with respect on both sides. The harsh fans need to stop with the personal insults, and the pros need to stop firing back and saying things like “Go f–k yourself”
Now he’s trolling George too?!?!?
@330:
“…you’ll just use more snark as a dodge and not answer anything.
Regardless, you have managed in this thread to deflect a lot of the heat off Dan’s unprofessional behavior and shift the focus over to your own.”
–You were saying…?!?!
Talk about bang on.
@331:
Read your second sentence.
Apply liberally to self.
AND I still wanna know: are there any cashews left?
Given the amount of snarky comments from both fans and creators it’s not a huge surprise something like this has happened. That being said I can understand Dan Slott
wanting to defend himself and bite back at the poster for making on the face of it a personal attack, but telling him to go f himself most definitely wasn’t the best thing to say.
@332
We all know the character is huge, entrenched in pop culture, etc. The movies will once again prove that. But I think you know why sales are down on this title……
Wow, Brad, this many responses has to be an all-time record! (issue 332–and Venom’s Back!).
But seriously, just to add to the conversation, whenever someone posts online, especially a public forum, it is reflects who they are. And when someone who works for a company posts online, it not only reflects who they are, but it also reflects the company they work for. How is that not common sense?
So I just came from a function where i was chatting with two teenagers about the Spider-Man movie. Next to me an 11-year old was playing spider-Man web of shadows while two young children were playing with toys and playing spider-man vs. captain underpants. So the character ahas HUGE potnetial, that I don’t see translated itno sales as well as it can be.
And I do have a serious question for Mr. Wacker:
What is the main demographic you are trying to appeal to when Amazing Spider-Man is put out?
George, you must put a stop to this!! Please take this more seriously!!!
I mean what if we get away with whatever it is you think we’re doing?!?!
SW
“Sorry about futzing up George’s name, but I don’t think our relationship is as deep as he pretends it is around here.”
There isn’t a relationship and I’ve never claimed such. But then you know that already. I’d ask you for an example of how I’ve claimed you and I have some deep relationship but you’ll just use more snark as a dodge and not answer anything.
Regardless, you have managed in this thread to deflect a lot of the heat off Dan’s unprofessional behavior and shift the focus over to your own.
Cosmic Spidey is here.
Oh the delicate sensibilities of fans, err clients. All in good fun, no harm. I’m sure even lejayjay has scraped himself off the pavement by now and is laughing. Or at the very least biting his tongue lol.
@Andrew
I’m personally not offended, I just don’t think it’s the proper way one should act in that setting.
Are there any cashews left?
Venomaniac, it seems like it’s all in good fun and no one is crying about being offended (except here) this time. Can we draw some line at faux-outrage?
Keep the cosmic trigger happy Danny Boy!! lol
Javi has taken it upon himself to be the internet-police and will enforce the utmost vigilance in stopping ANY comic-writing professionals from having fun anywhere on the internet. He will stalk everywhere they post and if he sees a “your momma” joke somewhere…. oh, you better believe people will hear about it on the crawlspace. Believe that!
@Andrew- Nothing is necessarily wrong with them as jokes, I just feel it isn’t professional for Slott to say that. Compared to “I’m sorry you’re not a fan of my work. Hopefully the next issue of Amazing Spider-Man will impress you though!”, the your mom joke just seems a bit snarky, which I don’t think is the best way to respond in that type of situation.
What’s wrong with “your mom” jokes? 🙁
Never mind…
He actually said he was kidding with a smiley face at the end.It wasn’t intended as an insult. So it was just another post he thought would be funny (I respectfully disagree, but to each their own).