Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities Why should I ever buy another superhero comic by Byrne?

It's very obvious my definition of a "hero" is different from his... whatever HIS is.

His comments on Chris Reeve, in whatever context, really have me questioning what Byrne's idea of a hero is.

Did Reeve CHOOSE to be paralized? Of course not. But instead of disappearing into some self-pitying hole, he CHOSE to lobby for himself and others affected by spinal injuries. He CHOSE to make the most of what he still had.

Not to trivialize Reeve's plight, but just for a second, I want to make a comicbook comparison. A given hero, say Spider-Man, is heroic not because he has powers; his heroism comes in choosing to do what he considers right in the face of daunting challenges. Heroism in the world of Spidey is not hanging up the tights when the world seems against you.

Reeve sounds like a hero to me.

And Byrne, while never someone I considered a "hero" by any stretch of the imagination, WAS a favorite creator and artistic inspiration. But the man's ego and mouth have finally killed the last vestiges of my respect for him and his work. I sincerely hope that WHEN the "new, improved" Doom Patrol flops, the comic book world will look elsewhere for a creator.

The days when I rushed out to by a John Byrne book are long in the past for me. Not so much because of what he says or what he believes, but because I don't feel his work has the quality that it once held. The last good thing I read by Byrne was the Next Men, several years ago. Since then, his artistic style has shifted beyond my ability to adapt, and his writing seems to hinge more on what HE thinks is right and sensible, rather than what builds on the foundations made by past creators.

Which doesn't mean that I won't ever buy another Byrne creation. It just means that I go into it without expecting too much from it.

If the store was out of TP?

100% agreement here

Next Men was good stuff, and then the Byrne Engine kind of puttered out IMO. Nothing new, nothing interesting - all of his projects since have been along the lines of "BYRNE'S MASTERVISION OF {Marvel/DC Property}". And from the looks of it on the shelf - it all pretty much looks the same and sells to the same 20,000 people. I guess they like it.

And he's one of those people who probably needs someone else to edit his online personality, as the bitterness and over-inflated ego of this man leaves a stench on his work.

Not a Byrne fan at all!!!!!

I have to say..I agree with the board. There has not been any wow's from him in a long time.
I have picked up the first four issues of Doom Patrol and it doe not leave me wanting more.
Sad..very sad

I disagree on Byrne's level of storytelling skill. The best stuff he's ever written for himself is his first published work at Charlton, Rog 2000 was funny as hell but that's all. He reminds me of a second rate hack from the old pulp sci-fi days. I think he'd do a fine job (with some more experience in the field) selling short sci-fi pieces to magazine markets but his comic books are boring.

Byrne is an overrated hack.

I want Geoff Johns on DOOM PATROL!

I want Doom Patrol to at least give a tip of the hat to past continuity...

If Johns took over I might pick it up. At least I would be guaranteed Gar would be treated correctly and fairly.

Byrne's day is done. I think his remarks show just that. He knows it and probably doesn't care. Not that he has ever cared much for the people who buy his comics anyway. I have never heard one positive store about meeting him at a con or a signing.

I don't know if everyone has seen the actual (1st) thread where Byrne makes the comment (it's a closed thread now):

http://jb.24-7intouch.com/forum/for...ne+he+spent+every+hou&PN=0&TPN=2

And here's a GeoffJohns.com thread in which the members share some of your outrage:

http://www.geoffjohns.com/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?s=f2f9a6e1d31c8e0117b6606252497a00;act=ST;f=6;t=9141;st=0

one more nail in the Byrne coffin. I'm honestly not suprised. In his little farce of logic, he says, heroism requires choice. Mr. Reeves choose to become a model for the sick and paralyzed: an Avatar of Hope. God bless him for what he did. And Byrne, if you're reading this, I am ashamed of you, on behalf of the human race.

Quick and dirty...you shouldn't if he offends you that much.

I ...just don't care about him one way or the other. I love the DP. I even have a few of the orginal stories that ended before i was born, i think. But since Grant's run, i have every DP appearance i can get, good and bad.

When i read the book, i don't think much of his opinions on much of anything. I want a good book, period.

The first two issues just plain stunk because they continued a very weak storyline, and had the JLA'ers out of character. The second storyline was better in terms of weird action/pulp adventure style. He needs a dialog-ist to help though, he still writes in terms of 70's era chatter.

As for his comments, some people cant help vomiting dumbass comments. It's like terminal stupidity. I don't agree with much of what i have seen attributed to him, but in america, you have the right to say or post dumbass things, which shows everyone just how much of an ass you are.

My thoughts, anyway.

*and yes, i know, some folks think my political leaning is dumbassed as well. Like i said...lol.

I will defend to the death John Byrne's right to say whatever dumbassed thing comes into his head. Doesn't change the fact that he's a bitter old hack who will say anything to generate controversy and call attention to himself.

Maybe he should do a book staring baseball great John Rocker, lol.

And to THINK, THIS certain writer/artist use to gain my respect in the day. *sighs and shakes head ashamingly*

AA

wow, those people are mean over there on the john byrne forum. I am glad I am here at Legionworld were everyone respects each other.

I want Geoff Johns on every DC book!

And then just for the hell of it--I want Geoff Johns on Lash!

For Rick and others, a favorite quote of mine that you might all like:

"Every man has the right to utter what he believes to be truth...and every other man has the right to knock him down for it."- Samual Johnson.

That was my High-school senior quote!

I think those members sort of use Byrne's responses as a template for their own. They see Byrne call one poster an "ass", so they all follow suit.

Like you, after I read through the John Byrne forum thread, I became SO GLAD that my frequent haunts are here and Geoffjohns.com. MUCH nicer places to have dialogue.

Byrne ran out of ideas 15-20 years ago.

But at least he's into recycling, even if not very well.

Agree Captain. Byrne has set a very defensive tone over at his boards that just seem to get plain mean. Nothing Byrne has done has even remotley intrested me in a long time.