It's likely that I'm going to remind myself of disgraced former Boston Globe writer Mike Barnicle in this post. When he wasn't plagiarizing, Barnicle would occasionally use his column space to go on about the state of today's society. What an unfeeling city, nobody cares anymore, etcetera. The first time I eyed one of these way of the world essays, I kind of took it as senseless whining. Maybe It's because I'm older, but I see the appeal in writing a "woe is shit" piece like that when it feels like you are the only one with insight. Maybe it's because you've seen more B.S. than those half your age. Or even some the same age as you, looking at the same stuff you are.
Even today, I seem to be the only one in my social circles who wonders why, instead of trading quips over Charlie Sheen's unique outlook, do we not ask why he hasn't gone to jail yet? You'd think his habitual shamelessness and the testimony of several Hollywood insiders (re: hookers) could at least have him be forced to clean up his act or at least take his show off the road.
It's weird how we seem to view wanton lawlessness in certain figures. Maybe it's not so much due to their wealth but out of envy for their brazenness, which we seem to accept, but why? A passive aggressive way of getting back at "the system" for denying us our fun? A kind of envy for not being as obnoxious as our television heroes? Or maybe it's sadder than that.
Now if you saw the "(Sometimes) Wednesday Comics" title above, it's probably no surprise that I'm going to bring up Rob Granito, the artist who was caught without a doubt in not only art theft, but lying about his credentials, even adding a recently deceased person or two to his resume. He's since gone on to declare himself the new Charlie Sheen, announcing a charge for anyone who wishes to interview him and call on his bullshit. It's probably more genius a move than I can admit even to myself.
At the head of this bullshitstorm is Rich Johnston, who first broke the story after Granito folded under the kindest questions you could possibly ask a thief elbow deep in the cookie jar. He answered more of Johnston's questions (free of charge, realizing the lesson of no bad publicity) and comes off pretty clearly each and every time to be an unrepentant ass, all but saying that he knows he lied (lies) and doesn't care. This seems like criminal idiocy even before you consider him teaming up with a well-known art thief who feels Granito's pain. And is it any surprise Granito brings up Rob Liefeld, an artist who is more famous for the books he never seems to do?
I posted many of the initial Rob Granito posts on a FB group page. No reaction. An ignored story. The couple of times I brought him up at the recent Boston con got nothing. The main outrage has come from those who knew the people Granito stole from, other creators. Mark Waid was one person. A big deal, right? Well, does anyone remember the story when Waid confronted Liefeld and his Fighting American comic? Almost two score years later, Liefeld still continues to get work while believing he had something to do with the popularity of the Deadpool comics. A case can be made that Granito and company will make a killing off of whatever they release thanks to the infamy bestowed on them by well-meaning whistle blowers like Johnston and others.
The merit system is dying in our culture. More tragic is that it's dying amongst people who are expected to create artistic product through work and thought. I've noticed a growing realization amongst "artists" who have viewed the reality TV culture and learned that attitude trumps aptitude. I can see some of them prepping their poor me pout in front of a mirror for their chance at fortune. Becoming the unapologetic asswipe is a tried and true method by now. A well-placed "Bitch, please" face trumps pages of outlines leading to a coherent point. For all their proposed hatred of Snooki, these writers and other so-called creators would gladly choose renacting her train wreck for fame over struggling for praise that more often than not never comes no matter how valid the work.
Of course this works in comics today. In today's mainstream crossovers, the top writers produce stories known more for their fabricated controversies and conflicts a la Real World which mask a pointless plot. Why does anything happen in their stories? Logically, it's because, Millar/Bendis/Fraction say so. This is why I wouldn't read any event books any more than I would watch a show about housewives bitching about their friends. It's a pointless drama cycle that leads you nowhere.
One wonders if there are more people who won't comment on Granito because they hope to climb up on whatever side ladder Granito made for himself. Even if the ladder is already on fire.
Comics are always slow to catch up to trends, but it seems that they have finally caught up to reality culture. Granito might be riding this long-delayed zeitgeist for as long as it can carry him. And it could carry him very, very far.
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