The Internets Are Made of Hate
I hope that at some point in the future bad reviews for Atomic Robo stop hurting so much. Granted you really have to consider the source, and some random bunch of dorks with a Blogger account aren’t exactly what you’d call impressive movers and shakers in the comic book industry. Clearly they don’t hold seats on the Eisner Award Nomination comity. (ZING! My first public Eisner joke!)
It’s funny that this came to me on the same day that I got word about a recent interview I did with Jeff Ritter over at The Trades. Of course, it’s always nice when people like what you do. There’s not much strain involved in accepting compliments, is there?
At the time I first read this review I was upset. I actually wrote what turned out to be a three page response to it. But I have learned from bitter experience that it is best to wait a day or to publish such things. In most cases I find that the simple act of writing down my feelings is enough, and I don’t share them with the internet. This is probably for the greater good. Especially now, when I have to be nice to a lot of people that I do not feel particularly inclined to be nice to, because I have to keep the big picture in mind and consider everything’s impact on my career. And besides, the positive response to Atomic Robo has been nothing short of overwhelming. So I am sharing this because I now find it funny, not because my feelings are hurt and I want some sympathy. After rereading it today, it actually made me laugh.
For those who didn’t click the link above, here is what the review of our FCBD story says:
“I’ve never heard of Red 5 Comics, but the ideas in these two stories grabbed my attention. The results… Atomic Robo borrows a bit too much from Hellboy. Actually, it borrows almost everything from Hellboy other than instead of a red demon, the lead character is a robot. However, the art is fantastic. Scott Wegener should be snatched up by Marvel or DC very soon because, honestly, his talents are going to waste on this title.”
While I have chosen not to respond directly to this, a friend of mine emailed me his initial response, and I thought it was funny enough to reprint here.
“I like the way that no one ever goes into any detail as to which elements of Robo they think are Hellboy-ish. I’m guessing it’s because these mouth breathers know no nuance and have approximately three to four functioning brain cells. I mean seriously. Is it the plot structure? yeah, Mignola invented the adventure story, right. Is it the humor? They are not the same. I think it’s just that these superhero fans have only ever encountered one other example of a comic book that didn’t involve homo-erotic slugfests by guys in their underpants and so anything without the underpants must be a rip off of that thing they saw first. Oh yeah, and i love the fact that everyone’s idea of success is slaving away at a work for hire job where millions are netted off of your sweat while you get the tiniest fraction of a royalty percentage. Sheesh! I think I like the “art comics” crowd a little better. Yeah, they are pretentious fuckwad twits, but hey, at least they don’t compare everything to corporate fan-fiction twaddle that only exists to sell underoos to children. Christ. now I’m all upset.”
And because he was now upset, I no longer was. =P
Scott Wegener should be snatched up by Marvel or DC very soon because, honestly, his talents are going to waste on this title: I really wish people would stop saying that I should work for Marvel or DC full-time.
It’s a tricky statement to respond to. On the one hand I just want to punch assholes in the eye when they say this. “Yes, you are correct. I should totally abandon my apparently successful creator owned book so that I can fulfill my life-long dream of penciling Aquaman.” ::: PUNCH! :::
On the other hand, I do want to work with Marvel and DC. If Robo was a flop, then I would be busting my ass to get more Marvel work, and trying to get a foot in the door over at DC. Its great work. I loved it. I’d LOVE to do a Batgirl book. It would be fun as hell to do a Gravity book with Marvel; except actually give the kid cool gravity powers. Drawing superheroes is just plain fun. You’ll get no argument from me on that point.
For me though, at the end of the day, comic books are about creating something personal. The guys I respect most are Eastman & Laird, Mignola, Paul Chadwick, Eric Powell, Jeff Smith, Bendis & Oeming, Dave Sim, Matt Wagner, Doug TenNapell, and Masamune Shiro.
These guys didn’t just have a good run on a book that some corporation owns, (though some of them did, and I’m sure it was a blast). These guys actually contributed something to the landscape. They did something that added value to the larger world.
I think that distinction between creating your own work, and being hired to work on someone else’s book is lost on a lot of traditional comic book enthusiasts. They come at things from a perspective that is utterly foreign to me. When you see an adult reading X-Men, or Blue Beatle, they are doing more than just reading a comic most of the time. They are finding a release from daily life for 15 minutes. They are enjoying a nostalgic experience that goes back to their childhood. It’s so much more than just reading a comic, a lot of the time.
Because I didn’t grow up reading Marvel or DC that doesn’t happen to me. I see a lot of potential for fun, (folks in funny costumes beating on each other, woot!), and then I pick it apart critically; the art is good, the art sucks, the writing is strong or not, etc. etc. I can’t look at comics without trying to see how they were crafted. It’s really kind of frustrating to be honest. I can’t even enjoy Atomic Robo in the way you guys do. Unless you hate Atomic Robo, in which case you don’t enjoy it at all. All I ever see are my mistakes, or places where they pacing could improve, or where Brian used Joke A, when I thought he should have used Joke B, and so on.
So yeah, on the one hand I am flattered and actually very thankful that there are people out there who want to see me made a part of long running books that are deeply special and meaningful to them.
On the other hand, it’s deeply insulting to be told I’m wasting my time on a project that is personally meaningful to me, but that I’d be pretty good working on Booster Gold. 
At the end of it all, the opinions of the internet are utterly meaningless, and without value. I love Atomic Robo. I think the work speaks for itself. And so far most people seem to like it too.
==*=**=**
In other news, Dorinda is an addict, and I’m thinking of calling the Betty Ford Clinic.
For Mothers Day we got her a new game for the Wii, called Cooking Mama. And she cannot stop playing it. The game is about . . .cooking. Or pretending to cook. Which is much like out real life, where Dorinda pretends to cook, but more often than not, I end up cooking. Not that I mind; Dorinda can cook, but she often uses her Nana’s old Better Homes cook book, and everything calls for huge amounts of lard and butter. Even making hamburgers on the stove-top, you are told to liberally coat the frying pan with lard –for flavor! I gained 20lbs the first 6 months we lived together. But it was delicious.
Anyway, for a week now, (she got the gift early), Dee has spent every spare moment glued to the TV, being encouraged but some big headed housewife, who clearly doesn’t speak a word of English, pleasantly mangling even the simplest of phrases.
In other news, my computer is nearly dead. I found the new machine that I want to buy, but there is one thing holding me back: Windows Vista! Holy crap,
So I guess I will just buy this new PC, wipe the hard drive, and install my old copy of XP –which has been a really solid OS that bucks the trend of crapulent output from Microsoft.
Okay, I know there was something else I wanted to talk about, but I’ve forgotten what it was. So I’m signing off.
RANDOM SPLENDOR
I don’t normally do “cute”. Cute, it could be said, inspires violence in me. Of course, some people say Robo is cute, and that’s okay for them, but I just think he looks cool. Anyway, on those rare occasions when cute is done well, I can really appreciate it. And Wall-E does cute right. I am more excited than ever to see this movie. And if the movie isn’t enough, you can get the Ultimate Wall-E toy to have for your very own.
Industrialized Nature, let me show you it.
I want to live in a Robot head-house.
Lando, you da’ MAN.
Officially the first time I’ve ever drawn anyone as an Action Scientist. We met Christine at the Boston ComiCon recently and she was just a peach! Her companion Iian was also a terrifically nice person, and I really look forward to seeing them again. (pic below so you can see how bad I am at drawing actual people).
While I couldn’t give two farts about this upcoming, cross-overing, universe reordering, “Event”, I need to keep my nerd cred on the message boards. So instead of finding some funny comic book reference to put in my “I Don’t trust” banner, I went with real life people who I have always really might be shapeshifting invaders from outer space.
I couldn’t get in to Cooking Mama! And I had thought that I would… Perhaps I should give it another try… Wii need to have a Wii party!
Hey Scott,
that critic is TOTALLY wrong. There’s no way you’re good enough to work for Marvel or DC!
Just kidding. In all seriousness though, don’t let him bother you.
It was you and Brian that got me started on comic books, actually. I had been reading 8-Bit Theater (Brian’s webcomic) and when he announced a Nazi-punching Robot, I knew I had to pick it up. I had never heard of Scott Wegener.
Fast forward half a year.
Atomic Robo is great! I’d been reading your blog and had noticed both your constant adoration of Mike Mignola and the frequent comparison of Robo to Hellboy. “What the Hell is a Hellboy?” I wondered. Well, if it’s as much like Robo as everyone thinks, I thought, I better check it out. I now have volumes 1-7 and while I love them as much as Robo I think the comparison is entirely superficial. While you and Mignola share a similar style of linework, Mignola’s careful use of shadow, the inky blackness that blends all his art together, is a far cry from your own clean, crisp, distinct renderings and Ronda’s retro use of color. So they’re both semi-indestructible characters who punch Nazis. I guess that makes Robo a ripoff of Captain America too.
I guess what I’m trying to say is you’re great Scott. Thanks for making me love comics.
-Ethan
It’s hard not to get uppity at something like that, but you’re right in just laughing it off.
You love what you are working on and it shows.
Plain and simple.
And you already know I love that robot: http://potpies.blogspot.com/
Lauren, I finally figured out what the story will be and tomorrow’s schedule just opened up. So, prepare yourself! Prepare yourself to the max.
Consider the source when it comes to “reviews” and remember it’s always easier to criticize than it is to create (though there are a FEW, true critics with a flair for creativity.) It’s kind of like that famous, Woody Alan line, “Those who can’t do, teach. Those who can’t teach, teach gym.” No offense to those who happen to be physical education instructors… What matters most is that YOU know Robo isn’t a Hellboy rip-off. Mignola is one influence among many, and that should be apparent to anyone with a more keenly developed ear and eye. I for one applaud you for not abandoning your passion project for the more lucrative world of doodling dudes on steroids dressed in Underoos. I hope you do get more work from Marvel or DC, but the comics world would be a sadder and less unique place without that loveable, little tin can in pants:)
I think when they do a 2nd printing of the TPB (which you know they will) you outta put that Mignola quote on there so everyone will shut the eff up. People need to stop hatin on the internets. Speaking of which quit dissin my boy Booster!
Dang now I really want a Wegener Batgirl book. We’re talking Barbara Gordon not that sewed that angsty one right? That would be so beyond fun!
And hey while I’m here I’m gonna plug Granitecon this Sunday at the Center of NH! Scott will be there and the first 100 people will get a FREE Granitecon Robo print. Get all the details at http://www.granitecon.com. See you there!
Scott–You certainly don’t need me to defend you or your work (and you shouldn’t feel like you have to either.) I was pissed off enough to write a comment on the random bunch of dork’s blog. I’ll save you the time of having to click on their link to read my comments. Hope you don’t mind. I just wanted to add my 2 cents, not only for team Robo, but for all writers and artists (whom I humbly count myself as.) Read on if you dare!
I second the sentiment that one should not base their perception of Atomic Robo on the overly simplistic, naive and uninformed review found on this blog. Atomic Robo and its creators have received overwhelmingly positive praise including two Eisner nominations! It’s a lot easier to criticize than create (like that Woody Alan quote says, “Those who can’t do teach. Those who can’t teach, teach gym.”) Atomic Robo is sequential artist Scott Wegner’s passion and co-creation. While he has and probably will do work for Marvel in the future, to suggest that he is wasting his considerable
talents by working on Robo as opposed to cranking out pages of big biceps and bigger boobs adorned in spandex is insulting. It would be a sadder and less original world of comics w/o Robo. By the way, Scott has met Mike Mignola and while Mignola sees Hellboy’s influence, he DID NOT feel that Robo is a rip-off of Hellboy or that illustration style. Name one artist or writer who is not influenced by those who came before them. Hellboy is but one of the Robo team’s influences. I suppose you would chatise every comic writer or artist for ripping off Lee and Kirby? I’ll get off of my soapbox now…
P.S. This previous statement of mine, “I second the sentiment that one should not base their perception of Atomic Robo on the overly simplistic, naive and uninformed review found on this blog” refers to THEIR blog NOT Scott’s. File that under “obviously”?
Actually the internet isn’t made of hate. It’s made of stupid. Stupidity being our one limitless natural resource. Especially in the US of A.
Susie -I also don’t really get Cooking Momma. I can see why it is fun, but there just isn’t enough face-shooting for my taste. A Wii party is a most excellent idea. I’ll have to figure out how to send our Mii’s over to your place.
Ethan -Awww! Stop it, I blush! I’m really glad that you love Robo, and even happier that through our book you’ve discovered some other great stuff out there. POWERS is a fantastic read (start with the early TPBs), as are: BONE, BPRD, IRON EMPIRES, and APPLESEED, just to name a few. Oh and HECTOR PLASM -its a one-shot, over-sized comic and I read it over and over.
Crispy -Okay fine, I promise not to make fun of Booster anymore. But I refuse to stop mocking Aquaman or Namor. Fish-themed supers are just retarded. I won’t budge on that.
re: Batgirl -there is only one TRUE Batgirl. And that is Babs. I have the sort of crush on that character that makes me feel like I’m ten years old again -you know that you are madly in love with them, but the though of having sex, or even seeing them naked, totally grosses you out. In a lot of ways Lucy Nocturne (from upcoming Popgun Vol.2) is based on how I preceived Barbara Gordon as a kid.
re: Granite Con -is going to rock. I will put a blog up about it the week before.
John -Thanks dude.
Yeah like I think I said (or meant to say) I don’t really feel like I need to defend myself, and I’ve seen artists who are much better than me, get ragged on much worse, so I don’t internalize it. Much.
Tetsubo -Its totally renewable, but the byproducts are probably worse than those created by fossil fuels.
GAH! I missed LAUREN!!
Robo. He cooks! He cleans! I love that!!! (now I want to get a Robo for my very own.)
I just had a thought… you’d be great on Aquaman.
No need to thank me Scott, but you’re welcome. Lameness without cause just gets my Underoos in a bunch. Glad you don’t internalize baseless criticism much. Seems comments and one other persons on that dorky blog have ruffled the feathers of the creators of the blog and some of their readers. Apparently my comment was a “knee-jerk” reaction and are “hateful.” I disagree, but I guess it elevates my self esteem in a perverse way to know that my silly words can have such an effect on complete strangers. I hope I don’t get billed for their therapy sessions. I can barely afford my own. If you need a good chuckle or roll of the eyes, check out the back and forth on that blog. I wonder what Robo would say about all this?
Hey Scott, I thought I’d just say that I agree with a lot of what you had to say in this entry. Well, not counting the part where you called me and my friends a bunch of dorks.
Just remember that, like most reviews, it’s just one guy with a computer. Who knows, maybe next week someone on our blog will write the Best Atomic Robo Review Ever™.
Hi, random dork here.
First, I just want to say, I’m not here to start a flame war between our two blogs.
Second, I also want to say that we’re not “made of hate”. Speaking for my random bunch of dorks, we love comics. All kinds of comics. And we started our blog so that we could talk about comics and share that love. We are not “critics”, we’re just fans - like all of you - and we know we’re publishing quickie opinions on what we like or don’t like, as opposed to in-depth reviews.
Scott, I’m sorry that some of Dan’s comments upset you, but regarding the part about getting scooped up by Marvel or DC, Dan was simply trying to make the point that your talent is on that level, and is a cut above a lot of other indie or self-published creators. No insult was intended. I’ve known Dan for several years and I can assure you he’s not a whore to the Big Two. He probably reads more books from Top Shelf than DC in any given month, and he’s always telling us about small-publisher books we should check out. His comments about working for Marvel or DC weren’t meant to be taken as meaning that those companies’ offerings are inherently better than creator-owned books. And it’s worth pointing out that he praised your artwork in his little review.
Also, while I certainly appreciate your fans’ desire to defend work they so obviously love, their points would have come across a lot better without the personal insults: “I’m guessing it’s because these mouth breathers know no nuance and have approximately three to four functioning brain cells” and “dorky blog”. Come on guys, we should all be bigger than that.
Again, not here to start a war, but I felt some of those personal shots that were taken, needed a civil response. Good luck with Atomic Robo, Scott.
Did my points about desserts come across better since they didn’t include personal insults?
Actually, Ryan, they did. They also made me really hungry, and I’m stuck at work craving pastries now. So thanks a lot, man!
speaking of Wall-E, i forgot to show you this:
http://mattcrap.deviantart.com/art/AtomicRobo-VS-WallE-82474248
as far as the bad review….if you guys were a little struggling rag, I’d say shooting back might be warranted. The cool thing is at your level now, you’re more likely to have your fans back you up (whether well worded or not) so that you don’t have to.
Scott, that critic has his head up his arse. Atomic Robo is a fantastic book all around. I met you at Baltimore Comic-Con last year just before the launch and I still proudly wear my AR t-shirt and I’ve shown off the sketch you did for me to anyone who knows anything about comics. You and Brian are both amazingly talented and I hope you keep doing what you’re doing for a very long time.
“And because he was now upset, I no longer was.”
Haha! Isn’t that the truth! It’s so enlightening being validated by one’s buddies - AND mobs of fans - they are so much more powerful than any condescending, ignorant critic. In regard to negative reviews, tho’ - just remember, “least said, soonest forgotten.” That old review is already passé, but Robo will live FOREVER!
I can shed some light on how Hellboy and Atomic Robo are alike, tho’…They’re both HOT, deid sayx-sy, brawny bully boys that make the ladies swoon; but Hellboy doesn’t have Action Scientists and apparently, for some of us, dreaming of being one makes all the difference! *sigh*
Best to you & Dorinda, “the widget” & the cat~
I’m looking forward to Killer of Demons…!
XO-X