Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:01AM7 comments ›
Tue Mar 18, 2008 — by Mike Gold
Michael George and the Pittsburgh Comicon
An editorial by Mike Gold
Well, this has been an interesting morning.
I awoke to a slew of e-mails from people either asking me about, or trying to get me to not go to, the Pittsburgh Comiccon. Not that I had decided one way or the other, although a lot of friends of ours (including ComicMix’s own Timothy Truman, Mike Grell and Robert Tinnell) will be there. It’s a good show.
This boycott is in response to yesterday’s conviction of Michael George, who, along with his wife Rene, is the promoter of the show. Michael was convicted in Michigan of murdering his first wife 18 years ago. The details of both the crime and the conviction are in the Macomb Daily.
I understand the sentiments of those who feel that they do not want to support a convention run by a convicted murderer. But I strongly believe such feelings are misguided.
First of all, the Pittsburgh Comicon is also a major charity event. Last year, for example, they raised nearly $30,000.00 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and some $5,000.00 for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Both are quite worthy causes.
But, more important, Michael George will not benefit from the profits of the show. Quite frankly, he’s set for life – if spending the rest of your life in a Michigan State penitentiary is your idea of “set for life.” It’s Rene who will lose out if this show winds up in the red.
After a long and horrific trial, Rene probably can use a few bucks. No doubt she’s looking at massive legal bills that were hardly of her making – despite her relationship with Michael, she didn’t kill anybody. She now has to create an entirely new life from the ground up; as such, she’s another victim of Michael’s efforts.
I don’t know if I’ll be at the show as I’ve got commitments to other shows and I can only spend so much time on the road, a lesson I learned the hard way last year. But I’m going to try. It’s a good show, Rene is a good person and the Pittsburgh Comicon no longer has anything to do with the sad horror that is Michael George.
Mike Gold is editor-in-chief of ComicMix.
Jump to comments (7)
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Comments (7)
Kevin Greenlee (1:51 PM on Tue Mar 18, 2008)
Whether or not someone chooses to support this show is, of course, their own business. But it does seem a bit disingenuous to suggest that revenue raised by this con will not support Michael George just because he now happens to be in prison. If attendees' monies pay his past legal bills, that does in fact support him. And while his current wife does indeed need to create a new life for herself, is there any reason to believe that she will use the funds generated from this show to do that? Or will those funds be used to finance a string of legal appeals?
My own young daughter is having a wish granted by "Make A Wish" and so I have great fondness for that wonderful organization. There are many ways of supporting it which do not involve helping to pay a murderer's past and future legal bills.
Mike Gold (2:03 PM on Tue Mar 18, 2008)
Well, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. But you're punishing a person who is not guilty of murder or, as far as the police have determined, anything else.
She's the one who has to pay the bills for the convention and, yes, possibly for George's defense as well. The buck stops with her, not with him. Is that fair? Probably not, although I don't know any alternative. But if she doesn't pay the bills, what are they going to do? Move her husband to debtor's prison? Probably not. More likely, they'll take everything they can lay their hands on -- which will be her stuff and not his bar of soap and roll of toilet paper.
Anonymous (10:37 PM on Tue Apr 1, 2008)
My boyfriend and I have attended the show for four years now, and plan to go this year. We are longtime customers of Michael and Renee, and have helped them out at the show in past years. Convention proceeds go to pay for the next year's convention. Pure and simple. Before one show wraps, the next is scheduled and paid for. These two people have raised a huge sum of money for both Make-A-Wish and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund over the years. The rest of the money goes for the next show. If you think this money goes to Michael's defense, and you think he's guilty, don't go. But you are the one missing out. I'll be there, every year until it's no longer there, or I can no longer go. I personally feel that Michael did not do this, that Renee definitely had nothing to do with it, and the convention had nothing to do with it. Personal opinion, and I'm not pushing it upon others. Most people I know think the conviction was wrong, and hope the appeals process does it's job. And these people have never met him or his family. We're all entitled to our opinions and feelings in this case, and no one can call another's wrong. Make your own decision about attending the convention: letting other people (that you don't even know) make that decision for you makes you a pawn. If you check the website, you'll see that there are just as many guests this year as any other year. The show will be great, even though many of us will feel sorrow that we won't see Michael's smiling face and hear his laughter. For those of you who think this is a good thing: fine. I for one know the show will never be the same.
Also, while I am a supporter of Michael and Renee, as well has the seven innocent children involved, we cannot forget about Barbara George. She deserves justice in this case. Her children deserve it too. If her family feels that this is justice, and they can sleep at night, then good for them. But it just doesn't feel like justice to me. Or to Tracie and Michelle. I want the truth, and I won't believe he's guilty unless he admits it. Until then, I support my friends and I believe in his innocence. Let's hope the justice system gets it right when they appeal.
J from PA
Anonymous (10:08 PM on Sat Mar 29, 2008)
If you don't believe Renee knew what happened all along you are all misguided. Why couldn't she take the stand in her husband's defense?? Probably since she was having an affair with him at the time and she knows way too much that she does want others to know. Mike had a "secret apartment" and I am sure Renee had been there. Maybe that is where they went to clean up after the murder. I have to believe she was in on it.
Anonymous (12:36 PM on Tue Apr 15, 2008)
Good riddance to bad rubbish. I knew this jerk had something horribly wrong in his head. I was an guest for several years at his convention and witnessed some really shady dealings involving Michael and his little goons. One year Michael told me and a other guests about an exhibitors daughter that was a "Nice piece of @$$ that could hook us up for $200 an hour." He creepily told us about his experience with her as well. The following year I saw them attack someone in the penthouse and set off the fire alarm in the middle of the night, forcing veteran comic artists out in the cold, in wheelchairs etc. Dozens of my associates have been boycotting the convention years before this latest revalation. I'm sure there are plenty of good people that have given him money and he in turn has given respect, but don't be fooled by this scumbag.
As for the Make a Wish Foundation and The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund... Great causes but both have gained from the death of Barbara George and should be aggressively renouncing this convention. I know Renee didn't pull the trigger, but she should not be benefit from Michaels criminal activities.
Mike Gold (3:35 PM on Tue Apr 15, 2008)
I guess I'd have a bit more respect for your position if it weren't presented behind the wall of anonymity. It's your right and prerogative, and I'm certainly not defending Mr. George, who has been convicted of murder. But to tar the staff ('and his little goons") with the same brush, well, that's certainly pretty macho of you.
jdm (5:42 PM on Tue Apr 15, 2008)
Just as I am sure that once W Bush is tried and sentenced for war crimes, people will still vote republican, I am sure that fans of comics and those who appear at the con, will attend, despite what a knucklhead prick in charge may have done wrong.
People seem to be keen on attacking or defending but on if it is convenient to their particular slant already.