Net Crankypantsism

[Gail Simone]

I have to say...I've been a net crankypants all month.

Usually, I'm so happy about my job and the readers and the amazing people I get to work with that the occasional weirdo really just dings off the plating, as it were.

But for some reason (maybe being really busy, or that it's convention season, or that some of these guys are just SO over the line), this month, the goobers have really made me respond a lot crabbier than usual.

TOO crabby. Not because some of them deserve niceties in response to their efforts, but for ME, because it makes me FEEL bad to unload on someone, even when they're begging for it, but especially when they're not.

Some of it's probably Ray Tate's weirdo freakism on one of my favorite sites, but really, it was just building for a while. I got mad at some guys at other boards, as well.

That's not really me. In general, I hate the idea of ignoring all the positive people just to swat at the negative ones, but that's what ends up happening.

Yesterday, I got a whole bunch of art files from some of the people I'm working with, Brad Walker, Paulo, Neil Googe, and I just thought, goddammit, what kind of idiot am I having PMS when these incredible artists are drawing my scripts? When my editors are great people that I really love, when my family loves me, when I have my health, when the readers are so unbelievably supportive? It just made me feel like an ingrate.

A big thing also was I did an hour bop chat at Geoff's boards, and the readers there were so great and so enthused. What kind of person would ignore all that just because not everyone on the net is housetrained?

Also, Shrike wrote me a nice wake-up call note. Thanks, Shrike!

Anyway, this is the thing, and I know people view this sort of message with a jaundiced eye, but it's the truth. I really treasure you people. You never have to say you like my stuff when you don't...it doesn't change my opinion of you in the slightest. You can tell me when I'm being an idiot and you will only get my respect. I like that you keep these boards lively and entertaining, and I appreciate all the unbelievable support more than you can know.

And I don't care if it sounds sappy, so GO TO HELL! :)

Anyway, the point is, this morning Bop inker Robin Riggs and his lovely wife Elayne (a long, long time supporter) sent me seven gorgeous pages of original Bop art from issues he's inked. He could sell those pages for good money, but they sent it as a gift, out of the kindness of their hearts, unasked.

Neil's drawing Tranquility, a book I've wanted to write for years, SO MUCH better than I could ever have hoped for. Paulo's putting the heart back into BOP. We just found out about a cover artist for Bop who blows my mind. We may be using one of my all-time favorite artists for special pieces in Tranquility. I'm working with one of the best writers comics has ever had on a one-shot project featuring a character I adore. Karl's covers and Brad's pages for Secret Six take my breath away, and Dale's art on the VU special is even better than on the mini. And I'm having way more fun with the Atom than I would have thought possible. And Talent's going to kick much ass on Gen13.

Yup. Ingrate. If I get cranky again, slap me. I have no reason to be cranky at the readers or this industry. It all just hit me at once how much fun I'm having (it's a ton of work, that can obscure the fun if you let it), and how happy I am. So Ms. Crankypants is going away for a while, and I'm taking her place!

Best wishes, sincerely, and many thanks,

Gail

[Super Sonic]

Ms. Crankypants leaving?

Good, coz I have a long list of things to do. ^^

[Corrina]

Nothing but good times ahead.

[TCJohnson]

I just figured with OYL all the people who don't like DC see it as their call to arms. (NOt saying that there are more OYL haters than lovers out there, just always the Haters are louder).

The DCU has to be at least a little nervous over OYL and so more deffensive.

[Lubichev]

I'm glad you shed that skin. Certainly not becoming.

[Gail Simone]

I don't think so, TCJ. Most of the books are selling way better than usual and DC seems pretty thrilled with the response.

Gail

[PatrickG]

You sure you don't want to borrow my avater?

(Seriously, Gail. A bit of crankyness is human and, on the whole, you're so positive for most of the year that it hardly shows.)

However, y'know, may I suggest it's all City of Heroes withdrawl?

[Gail Simone]

I'm glad you shed that skin. Certainly not becoming.

Doesn't mean I'm gonna be sweet all the time. Regard:

phllllllbllllllllllllllllllt!

Gail

[Lubichev]

Doesn't mean I'm gonna be sweet all the time. Regard:

phllllllbllllllllllllllllllt!

Gail
Riiiiiight.

[Super Sonic]

...never replies to my messages

[Gail Simone]

Because you're always talking about your unit!

Gail

[Weetomuncher]

I think Gail had every reason to be angry at meatballs like Ray Tate.

Gail has been slogging her way through the DC books for the past three years and has been spot on at least 85-90% of the time.

Ray Tate et al suddenly lambast Gail and her work despite the fact it has a much bigger following than anything they'll ever do.

Gail has a lot of great fans here and on some of the other boards and sites who love most of what she produces but they'll always be a jealous minority who'll criticise someone no matter what they do.

Gail has never really snapped at any constructive criticism but she has jumped at OTT, misquoted garbage.

And she has every right to do that.

[Lubichev]

Damn, Weeto REALLY hates Ray Tate. If Ray dies suddenly, I know who the #1 suspect is going to be.

[Dark Galaxy]

Yeah Gail. Stop being human dammit.

Hell, all of us who are blessed in their lives one way or another get wrapped up in the details and lose sight of the big picture from time to time. Douchebags and weirdos assist in that detour quite handily. You seemed to forget that once you are a public figure, you are supposed to not have feelings and if for some reason you do have them, for godsakes don't express them!

We forgive you, but just this once.

[Ed Cunard]

Yup. Ingrate. If I get cranky again, slap me.

But if we slap you, then you have to add yourself to the WiR site, right?

Crap. I'm so confused.

[TCJohnson]

I don't think so, TCJ. Most of the books are selling way better than usual and DC seems pretty thrilled with the response.

Gail


Oh, yeah, now. I am talking about people being pretty nervous late Feb, early March. And I have seen more anti-DC stuff on various websites. I am not saying people aren't happy with it, I am saying the usual suspects (like Ray Tate) is becoming louder over OYL. Figured that may cause some tention over the net.



But there is a better than average chance I don't know what I am talking about.

Damn, I need my meds.

[Super Sonic]

Because you're always talking about your unit!

Gail
Not always.....it's just your dirty,dirty mind!

[Ogdred]

Anyway, this is the thing, and I know people view this sort of message with a jaundiced eye, but it's the truth. I really treasure you people.

Hmm...yeah... I'm not really into that.

[TCJohnson]

Not always.....it's just your dirty,dirty mind!

I thought she meant you talked using your toy soldiers from Doctor Who. What else could she be talking about.

[Super Sonic]

I thought she meant you talked using your toy soldiers from Doctor Who. What else could she be talking about.

I don't watch Doctor Who.

*ducks*

[blackcanary_416]

I don't know whats different, you've always been nice and tolerated a bunch of crap. But glad to see your more enthusiastic. You must have a whole wall full of art. Lucky duck

[titanfan]

A big thing also was I did an hour bop chat at Geoff's boards, and the readers there were so great and so enthused.

Bleah. It's only that way because anyone the nazi mods come down to hard on anyone being slightly negative about anything on that site.

[TCJohnson]

Bleah. It's only that way because anyone the nazi mods come down to hard on anyone being slightly negative about anything on that site.


Nah, because a lot of CBR people were there asking really dumb questions. Ok, I was the one asking the really dumb questions. But you see what I mean.

[Cam63]

Because you're always talking about your unit!

Gail

Units are called flats in Australia.

[Lunar Daydreamer]

I haven't been on here for the most part for quite some time, but way back when I said about Legion Of Superheroes and what it meant to me growing up, that within play & imaginations it got me through my parents stripping chunks off one another, etc ... that chat and your response to it was so warm, so beautiful, so caring ... it genuinely touched me. It's that which I hope you never ever lose, within the ability to read, emote and enthuse about something one of us says - or the ability to be touched by it yourself and to give such honest responses. That's the Gail I adore utterly.

[Cam63]

If I get cranky again, slap me.

You know...I have just the thing !

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/img/10735_-_gauntlet.jpg

Seriously, it's good to have a blast and get stuff off your chest.

Arseholes sure don't make living easy.

[Cam63]

Now get back to making comics !

[sk716]

Gail, there is no need for you to be wandering around the 'net all testy like... there's a whole squadron of people here who go around being testy on your behalf.

[TCJohnson]

Slapping your flats. That sounds wrong in all new and exciting ways.

[Lester C.]

All of you have offended me with your dirty, dirty minds. All of your thoughts should be pure and wholesome like mine is.

[Cam63]

Flats are made of brick and concrete, so slapping one will probably only hurt your hand.

[Larry Dixon]

Gail is awesome-u!

What she said there about getting to do such neat stuff and working with such great people---it's how I feel too, and sometimes I need to assess just how fortunate I am. Plus, Gail has to go through so much crap you all never hear about, yet she soldiers on because it's worth it.

So Gail, yeah, for what little we have been able to do for you, you're welcome, and for being just who you are, thank you.

And have the lasagne. You know you want it.

[Lester C.]

Flats are made of brick and concrete, so slapping one will probably only hurt your hand.

Cam, I’m ashamed of you. You being a veteran member should be setting an example by not be talking about slapping your flat or unit. I am tired of reading all of the drapravity you people come up with. Remember people pure thoughts is the way to piety which is the way to enlightenment.

[TCJohnson]

Flats are made of brick and concrete, so slapping one will probably only hurt your hand.

.....I heard you Australians were boastful but that is carrying things too far, don't you think?

[Cam63]

Lester needs to get out more.

[Cam63]

.....I heard you Australians were boastful but that is carrying things too far, don't you think?

'Just stating a fact.

[matterconsumer]

Now that you're feeling better perhaps you'll return at some point to your BLOG.

I have so many inane comments to make...

[stealthwise]

WE WUUVVSSS YOU GAIL!

*runs from being called a pansy*

if i don't look at them they can't tell i heard them