One of my favorite new comics in the last few years has been Chris Roberson and Mike Allred's iZombie, published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint. I've been a fan of Allred's since I first encountered Madman back in the '90s, but I wasn't at all familiar with Chris until I read iZombie #1. Which I loved. Not too long ago, he launched another series I like a lot, Memorial, through IDW with artist Rich Ellis, and I admired the fact he was so active in creating new comics.
Not too long after Memorial debuted, I got to meet Chris, at the annual ComicsPRO meeting in Dallas, and we got to talk about comics, about new creativity, and more than anything else, Alan Moore, Before Watchmen and the seemingly mad rush by some to abandon anything even resembling principles in favor of defending corporate interests. As I noted the other day, it's a puzzling time, when so many people are content to accept whatever shit is shoveled their way by shrugging and saying, "That's the just the way it is," and it was refreshing to learn Chris wasn't one of those types.
Even more refreshing to wake up and learn that Chris Roberson has decided to part with DC Comics, for ethical reasons, referencing David Brothers' recent Comics Alliance article about creator's rights.
It's more and more rare these days for someone to actually walk it like they talk it, but the people who do – whether they're writers, artists, musicians, actors, politicians, or just ordinary people willing to stand up for what they believe in – are genuine heroes if you ask me.
There aren't always great rewards for men and women of principle.Making a stand or telling it like it is hardly ever comes with much more than a pat on the back from those of like minds. More often than not, you get reactions like this one, from the comments section on Bleeding Cool:
"This is how people start to dislike companies. He tells us one side of the story and people go along with what he says. Maybe he's another Alan Moore; Crazy. We don't know because we don't know the full story; its just one person saying things about a company and because people like what the write has done, they side with him. In reality, DC hires these writers that gives these writers the attention that they needed to succeed in this industry. So... yeah..."
So... yeah, indeed.
The shameless and uninformed are always willing to peer out from their cloak of anonymity to cast aspersions on anyone willing to shake things up. Daring to denounce or challenge the corporate status quo is crazy. Wanting the companies we work for or support to have even the smallest shred of ethical decency is nuts. Having principles is insane.
Where are you from, the fucking Bizzaro World?
Chris Roberson is no more crazy than Alan Moore, and his actions are to be applauded. Knowing how he feels about things, for him to remain at DC would have been hypocritical, and I can only assume his decision to leave was for the sake of his own peace of mind.
I, for one, wish him all the best.
More like him, please.
Not too long after Memorial debuted, I got to meet Chris, at the annual ComicsPRO meeting in Dallas, and we got to talk about comics, about new creativity, and more than anything else, Alan Moore, Before Watchmen and the seemingly mad rush by some to abandon anything even resembling principles in favor of defending corporate interests. As I noted the other day, it's a puzzling time, when so many people are content to accept whatever shit is shoveled their way by shrugging and saying, "That's the just the way it is," and it was refreshing to learn Chris wasn't one of those types.
Even more refreshing to wake up and learn that Chris Roberson has decided to part with DC Comics, for ethical reasons, referencing David Brothers' recent Comics Alliance article about creator's rights.
It's more and more rare these days for someone to actually walk it like they talk it, but the people who do – whether they're writers, artists, musicians, actors, politicians, or just ordinary people willing to stand up for what they believe in – are genuine heroes if you ask me.
There aren't always great rewards for men and women of principle.Making a stand or telling it like it is hardly ever comes with much more than a pat on the back from those of like minds. More often than not, you get reactions like this one, from the comments section on Bleeding Cool:
"This is how people start to dislike companies. He tells us one side of the story and people go along with what he says. Maybe he's another Alan Moore; Crazy. We don't know because we don't know the full story; its just one person saying things about a company and because people like what the write has done, they side with him. In reality, DC hires these writers that gives these writers the attention that they needed to succeed in this industry. So... yeah..."
So... yeah, indeed.
The shameless and uninformed are always willing to peer out from their cloak of anonymity to cast aspersions on anyone willing to shake things up. Daring to denounce or challenge the corporate status quo is crazy. Wanting the companies we work for or support to have even the smallest shred of ethical decency is nuts. Having principles is insane.
Where are you from, the fucking Bizzaro World?
Chris Roberson is no more crazy than Alan Moore, and his actions are to be applauded. Knowing how he feels about things, for him to remain at DC would have been hypocritical, and I can only assume his decision to leave was for the sake of his own peace of mind.
I, for one, wish him all the best.
More like him, please.
