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

And so does Lash!

Here's a grand quote from the Byrnster...


http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2693&PN=1&TPN=5


It was a terrible, rotten, horrible decision to reveal to
May that Peter is Spider-Man and only one in a string
of mistakes that JMS has made on the title. It also
underscores the wrongheadedness of "growth" and
"evolution" of character because it robs Spider-Man
of everything he is; he IS burdened with the guilt of
his part in his Uncle's death, he CAN'T tell May for
fear that she will reject him, and his driving force, his
reason for being, his entire motivation is fueled by
these two things. If one is taken away by an apology
an author thought was too long in coming, then they
are the selfish ones, the ones with no respect for the
character, for taking that away from them.


*******


Most of us, as fans, will find ourselves occasionally
reading a favorite title and thinking "That's not what I
would have done!" We the border is crossed, and a
fan becomes a pro, there is a tremendous
temptation to actually do all those stories and
"bits" that we thought up in years of reading. It takes
a great deal of self-restraint (more than some
writers possess, apparently) to hold back and look at
the characters and the stories, and realize that
maybe something we didn't like is either serving a
purpose in the greater scheme of things or, even
more likely, simply best left in the past, to fade away
of its own accord.

Other comic runs Byrne has stated as hating:

Peter David's Hulk- which was incredible, up until about the time Byrne decided to jump on board for six issues and ruin it.

Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol- jeez, you think this might have been better than his crappy 70's DP right now?

And now JMS's Spidey? Has anyone forgotten how terrible Byrne's last Spidey run was? TERRIBLE!!! What did he do? Well, he brought back Aunt May in one of the stupidest, worst bringing someone back from the dead/they were never dead retcons for starters. May's death was a beautiful story and Byrne's bringing her back was just crap (more on this in my Spidey review thread whenever I get to that point). What else? Oh yeah, crappy new third rate villians, a new Rocket Racer and the return of Madame Web! Wow, way to go John, way to bring in the big time baddies! I'd take the Spidey clone saga over his run any day! I'm furious about JMS's latest Spidey story, but his whole run up until now has been fantastic IMO.

Bryne should put down his comic book critics cap and get back to what he's good at: being a racist and a moron who insults a heroic man who faced being crippled in the public eye days after that man passes away.

And just to remind everyone, here are some of the characters that have suffered third degree ‘Byrnes” over the years:

Jean Grey and the Phoenix (Probably his most famous, although Claremont is sometimes blamed)
Superboy and the Legion (the most important to most of us)
The Doom Patrol
Wonder Woman and her mother
Aunt May, Norman Osbourn and Spider-Man
Supergirl

What is it with Byrne and his crappy retcons? I know there are others, but I just can’t think of them right now.

As I said on Geoff Johns, I lurk at Byrne's place occasionally. Usually its only when I see something announced from him and am curious for more information. He posts stuff there, previews and pencils and things. Did that a lot after Doom Patrol was announced to see what he was thinking...

Anyhow, I've never liked the vibe of the forum, so never registered or posted. That's not to say the forums are horrible, as there are always different forums for different people. GeoffJohns.com and LegionWorld are much more my speed for comics discussion.

I used to love Vietch's comicon.com, until every forum there became the gutters and you couldn't have a conversation for people derailing your thread arguing back and forth about each others net personalities.

Anyhow, as I said on GJ.com, I think Byrne's comments have been taken in a way that he didn't directly mean them. I think he was exagerating for effect in making a point, and that it was tactless and possibly tasteless, but I don't think it was the indictment against Reeve that a lot of people see.

But that's just me. Maybe I'm too willing to give people the benifit of the doubt.

How could anyone dislike John Byrne?

His writing is so relevant to today's issues, and so clearly captures the way real people talk.

And his art has evolved in leaps and bounds over the years, too.

(Was I able to say that with a straight face? )

I'm surprised you could, STU. I have learned to hate Byrne over the years, both for his sub-par work and his arrogance.

Actually, I can't stand the guy.

I tried to buy the new Doom Patrol out of loyalty to the title, but couldn't deal with Byrne...

I really liked Superman Batman Generations I & II. Generations III however sucked.

I see it kinda like this...

Hitler was a fan of Wagner's work. Wagner had absolutely nothing to do with him as far as i know, but his music was used, and because of that, for decades it was never played in Isreal. Only a few years ago was a Wagner opera performed there. I understand the hatred for the accutriments of Hitlers reign, but it was only until a few years ago that it was performed.

Byrne is working on characters that are considered legendary. I have a great love for them because they were to me the anti-xmen. Bred and Born at DC, they were underdogs with a certain cool long before i was introduced to claremont's "cool xmen".

My love of the characters has absolutely nothing to do with the person writing them, unless he starts letting his personal views and feelings interfere with the book. At that point, i would voice my displease with the book itself.

It isn't easy to seperate the two ideas, but i can do it right now. As for Byrne, i think he needs to just shut up for a while about his opinions. After all, everyone knows the old saying about them and who has them.

I think it would serve him well, and quit distracting from the work itself.

That said, the great thing about the USA is that everyone has the right to insert their heads in nearly anotomically impossible places.

Rick, I totally understand the first point, as I would do the same with Spider-Man and the Legion.

Thanks, Cobie. I appreciate it. Seems like for once i was able to clearly articulate my thoughts on something.

lol
there's something ironic about saying this in defense of byrne who is apparently unable to effectively come to his own defense ... his lack of articulate explanations reflects his (IMO) rigid and unimaginative storytelling for me

of course: none of these opinions could be posted on byrne's own forum as the web MASTER there doesn't allow such free speeches

and as for the Doom Patrol -- they are undoubtedly some cool characters -- Morrison took them to the next level in hero possibilities and then it all just unravelled ... i'd rather see some visionary folks putting the Doom Patrol out there rather than what's happenned/going on now

Crazy Jane, the Negative Entity (Man, Woman or Rebus), Robotman, a few new ones (someone from Gorilla City? Lady Quark? refugees from Atlantis, Earth-2 and/or Gemworld? Owlwoman? Phantom Stranger? Black Orchid?) -- all facing the odd parts between Vertgio & DCU?

could have been cool
especially with innovative, consistent creators on it