Always one to pursue useless knowledge wherever he can find it in a seemingly never-ending quest to achieve the improbable and downright unlikely status of modern-day Renaissance man, Mark Bittmann has indulged his desire to never be lost in any conversation, by developing an arcane understanding of things of little consequence or import while maintaining his alleged status as a small fish in a small pond.
As long as his self-indulgent whim is catered to, he manages to sustain the facade of someone under the misperception that others care about what he thinks. With a ubiquity normally reserved for greenhouse gasses, he chases his random and inconsequential thoughts with all the tenacity of a banana peel. This is his life, his curse, and his twisted and maniacal way of impressing the ladies.
Yes, for those interested in the concept of comic book creators not getting along in a public forum, may I direct your attention to the message boards at Joe Quesada.com where, Mr. DaQ has recently taken it upon himself to admonish Peter David for making the negative comments about Marvel policy that have recently been published in his “But I Digress” column for Comic Buyers Guide.
What a waste of time. I hardly think the industry needs Quesada to put a negative spin on comic book employee/employer relations when it needs to retain the talent it has in a dwindling marketplace.
Now, First Amendment issues aside (both reside in the United States), is Joe Quesada kidding with this nonsense? Does the man who himself admitted that it was “funny” and “harsh” when PAD referred to Marvel (at the time under different editorial aegis and ownership) as “the House of Idea” actually expect fandom to rally around Marvel and shun David for getting away with something every employee with management issues would love to indulge in? Marvel Zombies don’t come any more loyal than myself and even I think he must be kidding – not to mention dreaming.
Slamming one’s employer out of earshot of the Big Guy is 1) the great American pastime, 2) cathartic, and 3) a helluva lot of fun. The fact that Peter David chooses to do so in print for everyone concerned with the industry to read frankly bespeaks of the balls that anyone who must answer to an employer wishes they themselves had the chutzpah to display. I say “go PAD!” He didn’t back down from Image once upon a time, leading to a memorable “debate” with one Todd McFarlane (some may refer to it as more battle of wits than debate, but if that were the case McFarlane would have showed up unarmed instead of with Image-contracted Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders in tow), during which TM summoned both gray cells he possesses to argue his point and found himself completely outclassed, an event worth any damage it may have done to fandom’s rose-colored perception of the industry, in my unhumble opinion, so he’s not likely to back down from this disagreement either.
Quesada argues that no one else in the industry chooses to publicly air their grievances with a current employer as David does, stating that if other creators have a problem with Marvel, they make use of the fact that he is a phone call away. So what. Why should Peter David call? The man has earned his own column to say what he wants. Speaking as one with the same privilege, I say more power to him. Marvel doesn’t publish his column, so where does Joe Quesada get off trying to influence its content? Because he speaks ill of Marvel on occasion whilst cashing their paychecks? Dude, get over it. Peter David obviously doesn’t sweat the repercussions, or he’d back off this argument and his poll of retailers who actually like Marvel’s no overprint policy (all half dozen of them).
What it comes down to is simple: If JQ doesn’t like it, he can fire him. It’s as simple as that. Peter David is a work-for-hire employee for Marvel as it is, so it’s not like Marvel has done a whole lot to engender the kind of loyalty befitting an executive of a major corporation. He doesn’t have access to a corporate jet, an unlimited expense account and a personal assistant, now does he? Perhaps if they showed their employees that they actually cared for their well-being outside of its influence on their productivity, they may reap the kind of loyalty Quesada is demanding. Maybe if they adopted the friendly practices of some of the more forward thinking ventures that show genuine appreciation for their employees they’d reap the loyalty they seem to think they deserve. However, as a long-time employee of a near-billion dollar company with employers who couldn’t possibly care less about my personal well-being (although my immediate supervisor cares, all above him barely acknowledge me with fake platitudes of interest), I think I know of which I speak when I say that Marvel hasn’t earned that kind of loyalty. They’re just a paycheck. How do I know? Because after 16 years, my employer hasn’t earned that kind of loyalty either. They are a paycheck to me and (aside from a couple of personal attachments with fellow employees) nothing more. I will show undying loyalty when they show they actually care about me as a person. Why have I remained there? Because I’m well-paid, they give me my work and don’t mess with me, I get to wear headphones all day if I wish and I enjoy some of the people I work with.
Now, have I said negative things about my employer in a public forum? No, unless you count the above. Frankly, I haven’t any complaints that warrant a public taking to task of their policies. I usually state any complaints to my boss’s face and he understands that I’m blowing off steam and I would leave my job if things were so horrible. Although this column is not related to the industry I work in and the chances of the aforesaid getting back to my so-called “superiors” are slim, it is still out there for anyone on the planet to access and note, just as Mr. David’s column is in CBG. Now, it may be that the public and industry my career serves isn’t as tuned into the industry I work in, as fans of the comic book industry are because I don’t work for a company that provides ongoing product to its customers like the comic book industry does and they don’t feel the necessity of keeping current with industry goings on. That said, my customers only care about the state of the industry until they have what they want and then the tune out, whereas comic book fans are constantly researching what their favorite publishers and creators are up to. So any diatribe I may publish on the Internet chastising my employer would be met with not only a resounding “huh?”, but with public indifference as well. I’m afraid l’il ol’ me doesn’t have the pull to make anyone care about my gripes. At most I would be seen as a slight annoyance and may have my job threatened. That’s where the First Amendment comes in and I’m not afraid to skin it. Aside from all that, the only difference between Marvel and my employer is that my boss doesn’t read my column looking for negative comments to whine about and take me to task for.
Furthermore, if Quesada thinks David’s actions are improper, he has the option of terminating his services, correct? I say put up or shut up. Either way, the fans really don’t give a damn one way or another, they just want their comics. Although, personally, I want my comics and the behind the scenes scoop and if that means I’m fortunate enough to enjoy the writings of an industry talent with the sack to say what he thinks without fear of repercussions, then more power to him. Whether that fearlessness is fueled by his not necessarily needing Marvel’s money or careless recklessness, I don’t care. I just like the fact that he gets away with it. It’s as simple as that and screw Marvel, screw my favorite comic book company, if they don’t like it. Besides, he’s going to say the same things about Marvel regardless of whether or not he works for them and no one should feel like they need to EVER stifle their opinion because of fear of recrimination. That’s what makes America great. Maybe I sound naïve when I say that company loyalty should be earned, but no one cuckolds me if I can help it…and I can. Some things in life are more important than making sure one’s bosses are properly handled and the ability to say what one wants, anytime, anywhere (even if it puts their employer’s panties in a twist), is one of them and too few of us have the good fortune or mettle to be able to live by such a credo. Obviously Peter David is one of them…and good for him. And if Marvel Comics doesn’t like it? Tough.
