MARC ALAN FISHMAN: “This is not MY _______!”

Marc Alan Fishman

Marc Alan Fishman is a graphic designer, digital artist, writer, and most importantly a native born Chicagoan. When he's not making websites, drawing and writing for his indie company Unshaven Comics, or rooting for the Bears... he's a dedicated husband and father. When you're not enjoying his column here on ComicMix, feel free to catch his comic book reviews weekly at MichaelDavisWorld, and check out his books and cartoons at Unshaven Comics.

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9 Responses

  1. Martha Thomases says:

    This is like the debate over the Golden Age of Comics, which is 7. I have a tremendous affection for Barry Allen, but, to my son, The Flash is Wally West. We’re both right.

    Let a hundred flowers bloom, and a thousand schools of thought take root.

  2. The stupid fear the new. That said, Barry Allen FOREVER!

  3. Well, I made my case about Barry. But that’s what makes this whole comic business cool to be in (even on the fringe as it were…)… DEBATE. Good, whole-hearted debate. What kills me as John put in the fb comment…. is when those people rally against something they didn’t even actually read. To simply say “this isn’t MY whatever…” or to formulate the opinion without having any more backing than your gut feeling? It’s lunacy to me.

    I honestly welcome, with open arms, people who disagree with me. You want an amazing debate? Get me and my bestie Kyle in a debate over who would win in a fight between Batman and the Punisher. It’s spectacular.

  4. Those Above says:

    You’re a fucking hypocrite. And a tool. Quite a unique accomplishment. After all, there’s only about a billion like you on the internet.

    I’d actually lay it all out for you as to just how and why your idiotic article above proves that point, Hell, I’d even do it in nice simple language that even you could understand, but I’ve quickly come to the conclusion that you’re simply not worth the time or effort. Besides, you and your kind are so far beneath me and mine that we’re virtually on another plane of existence. So go on, shout your vapid and unoriginal thoughts into the void, I mean we’re all so very impressed up here. No, really! Really? No.

    So why am I posting at all? Just to say, the quiet intelligences of the world can see through your petty, self-serving bullshit, your desperate grasps for attention and validation, and your hollow hypocrisies, and all we can do is laugh. And a pitied laugh at that.

    But even so, think yourself lucky, because truth be told, your hollow, hypocritical, and unoriginal rantings aren’t truly even worthy of that much. And they certainly weren’t worth the amount of words you just got from me. But sometimes, on special occasions, the truly dim lights of the internet such as you must be reminded that the shadows they cast have no real reach, and the light they shine illuminates exactly no one.

    This is your one reminder. We see you for what little you are, and your words mean less than nothing. You are nothing more than a hollow outline in a sea of black, your words as empty and soulless as the creature they spew forth from. But do carry on, because such is all the likes of you are capable of, and again, for that you truly do have my pity.

    • Wow, Those Above? That is a very angered response! I’m amazed that my lowly form somehow pierced the void to the Ivory Tower where you and the other advanced humans live. I am humbled by your pity on me, and my pathetic writings.

      I’m curious though. Why did you not cite any specific reason my work is so shallow and pedantic? You wasted 5 paragraphs elevating you and your consciousness… but not a single sentence actually giving me something to improve upon. I know having to type a response out, even with nice simple language that I could understand would in fact be a terrible burden on you… But to wholly criticize me with providing any incite as to how I could improve? Well that’s just rude.

      • Mike Kristofik says:

        So have you really made it in this business when you get your first troll? And you got FIVE PARAGRAPHS to boot. Way to go Marc!

      • David S. says:

        I too am impressed, Marc, but for a different reason. In your essay, you immediately admitted that your “change can be good” philosophy isn’t 100% absolute in all situations (your dislike of the Spiderman “organic webs” premise in the films, for example) and your acknowledgment that the story should be judged on its own merit instead of dismissed because “continuity has been shattered” would still be responded to with a “You’re a hypocrite!” response from cranks like Those Above! Last time I’ve examined The Human Condition, a hypocrite is by definition incapable of being open-minded and you’ve stated in your article that you can be open to change as well as point out that memories only fade when people want them to, not because someone decided to “reinvent the wheel.” Now if your “accuser” wished to post a past article or essay where you said the exact opposite of what you said here, then he’d probably have a case. Unfortunately, he took the lazy way out and dropped an FU bomb and say “You’re not worth the mud I threw at you!” I guess they’re giving assylum inmates more internet access these days.

        Enjoyed the article as well as the floor show. Keep up the good work!

    • Russ Rogers says:

      Those Above, you have a funny name. I’m not criticizing, just commenting. But if my last name was “Above,” I don’t think I would name my kid, “Those.” Did you get teased about it as a kid? I’m mean, “Those Above” is an even odder name than say, “Bucky Barnes.” Admittedly, “Bucky Barnes” is fun to say. Just the alliteration alone brings a smile to my face. Your comment did not. Hrrm.

  5. Rick Keating says:

    While I probably would have kept Bucky dead if I were in charge at Marvel, I did like how Ed Brubaker handled his return in the Captain America Omnibus. It wasn’t a cheap publicity stunt or the result of “magic.” Bucky was recovered by a nearby Soviet sub, which could have been in the area without violating any internal logic, brought to Russia and reprogrammed.
    .
    What’s more, when he broke free of his programming and regained his true identity, with Cap’s help, Bucky had feelings of guilt. It wasn’t as if Brubaker decided Bucky became an assassin “just because”, with no thought to character development. And while The Captain America Omnibus is pretty much all I’ve read related to Cap recently, I suspect that even now Cap himself feels the occasional twinge of guilt at not being able to prevent Bucky from going through his Winter Soldier experiences; just as he carried the guilt of Bucky’s supposed death all those years.
    .
    Characters and situations in comics are always being updated, whether in major or subtle ways. Some updates will remain in place, others will go the way of Mopee. I’m reminded of a conversation between Morpheus and Hob Gadling in Sandman, where Hob mentions a version of King Lear to which, “the idiots” gave a “happy ending.” Morpheus replies that (paraphrased) it won’t last; the great stories return to their true forms. At the center of Cap’s story is that he couldn’t save Bucky. At its core, that hasn’t changed.
    .
    Rick