That's all right, Ryan; I understand. I missed the last two pages with Snowbird and Doug Thompson, but this was a double-sized issue, after all.
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That's all right, Ryan; I understand. I missed the last two pages with Snowbird and Doug Thompson, but this was a double-sized issue, after all.
The Byrne board won't let me in because my email (which I have been using for about fifteen years now without any problems) is "anonymous" - and I'm not about to go pay for a "non-anonymous" email address just so I can post on a discussion board— it's friggin' ridiculous. I guess I can add "paranoid" to Byrne's list of character flaws. Too bad, I think I would have been a pretty good contributor.
- SMS
No, that's just his way of trying to make sure you are who you say you are. Doesn't really work, based on the number of fake logins they get. I know people with Yahoo, Gmail, etc email domains just need to contact the administrator over there and they can possibly get you in.
If you think he has enough flaws to make a list, why would you want to join his board?
Because I don't think someone's character has anything to do with their level of talent. If that were true, Michael Jackson would certainly not have become the greatest pop star of all time, nor Ezra Pound the most influential poet, nor Richard Wagner perhaps the greatest composer of the late Romantic period. I could go on, but I think you get my point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan Maxwell
I don't think it is "cool" or on some kind of moral high ground for Mr. Byrne to dis Wikipedia the way he does simply because he doesn't agree with some of the opinions expressed in his specific entry, and the only other time I've encountered the "non-anonymous" email issue is with government and business oriented websites. It's a discussion forum, Ryan; he ought to do what every other halfway decent discussion board admin does and implement some monitors to take care of trolls rather than exclude people with valid, long-standing "anonymous" email addresses who do not wish to have to pay for their email services.
The fact is, the only people who would gladly go through the pain in the ass process of setting up a so-called non-anonymous email account just so they could post on his forum would be die-hard fans. Obviously he wants a board full of devotees willing to bend over backwards for a shot at kissing his ass. I for one have neither the time nor the inclination.
That said, if I would have been "allowed" to post on his forum I would have enjoyed taking part in the discussions and addressing his impressive body of work without making references to what I perceive to be some issues of his character; issues which, at the end of the day do not necessarily make him a "bad" person, just perhaps a mildly egotistical and moderately neurotic one— but that's not news to anyone. Just read his Wiki. ;)
Live, love, laugh & be happy,
Smikes
I think we all have an opinion about Mr Byrne, one way or another. That said any specific conversation regarding him should really go to PM.
Never mind. I had posted a rather lengthy, argumentative response, but it's not worth ruffling any feathers before I even get both feet in the door here. Obviously the subject of Byrne himself is taboo around here unless it's to praise the man, so let those who would continue to do so arbitrarily knock themselves out. I know when I've been told to shut up. I'll see you around.
- Smikes
Thanks Ryan for posting the issues.
Dana
Just wanted to rehash something for a moment...
Hopefully some of those who read this saw it for what it was: not a swing at Byrne fans (of which I happen to be one, regardless of my nits) or those who post at his board but rather a complaint against Byrne himself for the way he's set it up. I said that he WANTS ass kissing devotees, not that that's the only people who post there— as Ryan pointed out, even with the ridiculous "non-anonymous" email prerequisite there are still people there who are obviously not devotees.Quote:
Obviously he wants a board full of devotees willing to bend over backwards for a shot at kissing his ass. I for one have neither the time nor the inclination.
I am fully aware that there are members here - members with whom I have had some good discussions and whom I respect as individuals at the very least in the capacity that we have similar tastes in graphic literature - who post at Byrne Robotics. My beef is not with them, it's a personal grievance against Byrne himself, and not a particularly severe one at that.
Just thought I'd clear that up before I get any more nasty-grams or a skewed reputation. Thanks.
- SMS
Actually, Smikes, the standing rule is that you may make comments on a creator, but at the same time, you may not diss them anymore than you can diss any member of this board. Feel free to voice your disaproval of Byrne - God knows I do - just keep it based on facts, his work, and not on the person himself. More critique of him and his work, and less libel about the man especially in conjecture.Quote:
Originally Posted by S. Michael Simms
Furthermore, from what I've seen (anyone, please feel free to correct me, but I don't believe this the case), you have not been told to "shut up", just mind your P's and Q's. As long as it remains respectful, there is no issues.
I for one fully endorse points of view that differ from the norm, and I, for one, don't think all that highly about John Byrne based off some comments I've seen him write, especially about the Flight. So, it's not a matter of kissing his ass or worshipping him, but it IS a case of respecting him as a person.
I hope this helps you out some while on this board. We - at least I - do enjoy your posts, and would like to see more input from you in the future.
word
Holy moly! Mac's back!! Issue 25.
http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/f....asp?TID=24430
Byrne's complaints about Wikipedia are valid. He's found errors and flat out lies about himself in his entry on multiple occasions. The fact that literally anybody can go in and edit the site at any time makes it fairly worthless. Yes, it might be 99% truth and fact showing up in each listing, but if I can go over there and type that Tom Cruise eats the flesh of newborn puppies, why would you want to defend that as my opinion?Quote:
Originally Posted by S. Michael Simms
Like most/all discussion boards, there are moderators (and Byrne himself) to keep things in line. How would you suggest they figure out an anonymous email address is valid and long-standing, and not a troll? I have a work issued email that I used to sign up with and don't pay for. That probably holds true for the majority of the members over there. Just one way to follow the rules.
this issue was the beginning of my heart literally being torn from my chest, i was beyond happy that mac was back as i loved the character and loved him in the guardian costume, then to have probably the best explained reserection ever, be a ruse.................
it hurts even talking about it.
Water under the bridge. Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyCanuck
- SMS
I'm not going to get into a debate over the merits of Wikipedia. I think he went overboard with his comments and reaction, that's all; my opinion, nothing more.
On the second issue, the one which I was initially complaining about:
Some of us only have a home computer (or don't screw around at work ;) ) Either way, he's excluding an entire group of people from access to his discussion board. That's fine. It's his board. I just think it sucks. I also think that if his mods are worth their mettle, they could moderate the board just fine without resorting to forcing every new member to have a "non-anonymous" email address. I've moderated at some forums where we could give two shih tzus about someone's identity as long as they played by the rules; I don't see why it should be any different anywhere else— it's not like he's running a business out of there or protecting top secret government documents.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan Maxwell
Seriously, what difference does it make if you "are who you say you are" at a discussion forum? Smacks of paranoia to me, but like I said, it's his board, he can do whatever he wants. I'll go on thinking it sucks, and if you want to rebut you can PM me. This thread's done being hijacked; such was not my intent. Thanks for all your input, and to echo Mr. Happy, thanks for posting the issues as well. I do appreciate at least being able to take part in the discussions here.
Live, love, laugh & be happy,
Smikes
Good adaptation, Ryan. I was also intrigued to read JB's remarks about how things turned out disappointingly after he left the book. "For me, or for Alpha." I won't debate that!
Next to last, 27. I was and still am completely bitter about the announcement at the end.
http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/f....asp?TID=24748
I completely agree about the announcement at the end. Although I had known JB was leaving the book months ahead of when it was announced, I was still devastated. :(
I've had this problem on Newsarama because I use a hotmail account. And they would not let me on even after contacting administration.Quote:
Originally Posted by S. Michael Simms
That makes about three reasons I won't join his board.Quote:
Originally Posted by S. Michael Simms
The other two are:
I tend to read by character, not creator, so it wouldn't make sense anyway... Although, Byrne is one of the few creators I've bought a book for.
I love Alpha Flight and am Christian. John Byrne has made his feelings about both Very Clear. (I admire honesty, but also tact.)
- Le Messor
"Fame or self: which matters more? Self or wealth: which is more precious? Gain or loss: which is more painful?"
- Lao Tsu
Le Messor, you've just named the two reasons why I've balked at joining JB's message board. In light of Alpha's 25th anniversary, I wanted to come on board and share some of my memories of the day I bought AF #1, (April 29, 1983). But, like you, I also love Alpha, and I'm a Christian. I was very put off by JB's (and some of his fans') opinions about Christianity; and for those reasons, I would feel uncomfortable there.
And is it just me, or does anyone else here feel that JB has not really had a good, solid, memorable book since he left Alpha and "Fantastic Four"? Even his revamp of "Superman" did nothing for me. And "Next Men" started out interestingly, but then, went downhill and ended in a mess, IMO. Just my two cents or possibly sour grapes on my part. :cry:
maybe it's just my love for the book, but i agree, byrne has not done anything good since alpha. even his hulk run was a mess.
Varo, I agree that JB's run in "The Hulk" was disappointing. I just remembered a recent series that he did that was decent: "X-Men: The Hidden Years". This was pretty good, but unfortunately, it didn't last long.
Some of JB's fans would like him to do an "Alpha Flight: The Hidden Years" series. I think it would be great if he did do it. Not only would we get to see the classic team together again, but we'd get to know more about Alpha's early history. (Anyone remember "The Blooding"? The announced sequel to the 1992 Alpha Flight Special? I looked forward to it, but it never happened. Wonder what the storyline would have been?)
Regarding the 'Blooding'. Phil and I asked about this years ago at 'The Bristol Comic Con'. The person supposedly associated with it had no recollection of it :-(
Sad! :(
And in the end...issue 28
http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/f....asp?TID=24896
Great sadness. :cry: Alpha was never this good again.
I particularly liked the scene with the team and the Beyonder all together in the Edmonton Mall. The contrast between Snowbird's narrow-eyed look in one panel, and her shocked expression in the next, (when Talisman slaps her father), is one of my favorite moments in the series. (Poor Shaman, though.)
Thank you, Ryan, for taking us on this wonderful stroll down memory lane. I'll miss the weekly AF Reading Club, and I think the other members will, also. Thanks for your good job with this.
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: I recall being very bummed that Byrne was leaving back then (what year was that...84, 85? I can't read the date on the cover and I'm at work, so I can't look at my issues)...I so enjoyed those first 28 issues.
I also clearly remember after a couple of Bill Mantlo's issues, I was thinking...WTF?!
I didn't mind the Hulk fight, Scramble or Heather putting on the suit, but the Puck revelation was flipping mind-boggling, since it totally contradicted what Byrne had already put in writing about Eugene. I had loved Mantlo on the Micronauts (and Rom)...I just had a hard time believing this was the same writer.
Thanks for these past 28 weeks, Ryan.
Dana
Edited to add Rom to my Mantlo-love.
Birdy, Yay solidarity! :D
I was thinking about 'The Blooding' recently... I wondered if I could get notes on it from James Hudnall (he was the writer, right? is he the same guy who forgot it?) so I could use them to make my Alpha Flight movie.
I can dream can't I?
I figured it'd introduce Marrina and the tier system, and probably get Stitch killed (the name does not bode well).
I've just picked up 'FX' because of Byrne (despite my earlier comment about not following creators, I'm going on a Byrne kick at the moment... want to pick up the FF visionaries stuff...) Haven't read it yet, but who knows? There may be a new classic.
Would that mean he'd hate it?
- Le Messor
"Fatalism is... Ah, forget it."
- The T-Rex
Le Messor, I got "FX", also. It's a cute concept, but I still like AF best. (Well, what can I say? I'll always be prejudiced! :wink: )
I hadn't thought of "The Blooding" in awhile, but the other day, I started wondering what the story would have been about and who would have been in it. Wolverine, Mac, Stitch, Birdie, and Smart Alec, most probably.
If I remember correctly, 'First Flight' was written by Furman and Lobdell (or they were both associated with it). The blurb that mentioned 'The Blooding', led me to believe that they would be associated with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Messor
All that said, Furman couldn't recall anything about it.