Associated Press disrespects David Cockrum. [Archive]

Umbrax

11-29-2006, 05:00 PM

X-Men illustrator dies in Superman pajamas
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/28/comic.death.ap/index.html

Dave Cockrum was a legend in comics and was really sick for a few years now. AP could have been more respectful of the man's accomplishments instead of headlining what pajamas he was wearing when he died.:mad:

I am so fuming mad over this. I think I'm going to write a letter to AP.

Zombienorthstar

11-29-2006, 05:01 PM

What poor taste...REALLY poor taste.

Cayman

11-29-2006, 05:03 PM

Yeah, that headline is ridiculous.

Mikl C

11-29-2006, 05:04 PM

What a f@#£$5ng stupid article.

Christopher O

11-29-2006, 05:04 PM

I don't see what the big deal is. It's an attention-getting headline, but it's not inherently negative or disrespectful, and once you read the article, you'll find that it isn't disrespectful at all. The PJ comment suggests to me Dave's love of the medium and the characters in the medium. It was his profession and life's work. I think it's great. Of course, I'm also not ashamed of the fact that I read comic books nor do I care how others perceive comic books, so maybe that makes a difference.

Beast

11-29-2006, 05:04 PM

jmc247

11-29-2006, 05:06 PM

The media has no sense of right or wrong or decorum anymore.

I mean I was just hearing on the news that the NY Times leaked a month old top secret memo from the National Security Advisor to the President expressing doubts about Maliki and that scuttled todays meeting between the President and the Iraqi PM.

20 years ago such a thing would have been unthinkable.

Today, nothing is unthinkable for the media. If a police officer was rumored to have said to his friend that semen was found on David Cockrum PJs they would run with it. I am not saying that what they said in this artice about Cockrum was deeply offensive, but if the media had even more offensive material they would have run with it.

There is only one thing today's media cares about.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Zombienorthstar

11-29-2006, 05:07 PM

I think your playing with your 'Jump to Conclusions' mat. I don't think it was meant as disrespectful at all. In fact it's sweet in a sad sort of way. That even at his age and in his failing health, he still held his love of the comic heroes close to his heart. I'm sure that Paty Cockrum probably even was the one who told them what he was wearing in he died. Just like they said that he'd be cremated in a Green Lantern T-Shirt.

Yeah...but if that was mentioned in an article rather than just emblazoned as a headline...the headline rad to me as being intentionally ironic...quite apart from the actual article...

Umbrax

11-29-2006, 05:08 PM

Deus ex Chris, I don't think anyone here is ashamed of reading comics. I don't think anyone here would be ashamed of dying in superhero pajamas.

What I find disrespectful is that the headline focuses on the guys sleep wear not his accomplishments.

Christopher O

11-29-2006, 05:09 PM

Yeah...but if that was mentioned in an article rather than just emblazoned as a headline...the headline rad to me as being intentionally ironic...quite apart from the actual article...
I read it as a punctuation of his love for super-hero comics, a genre he helped shape and define.

Beast

11-29-2006, 05:09 PM

Christopher O

11-29-2006, 05:10 PM

Deus ex Chris, I don;t think anyone here is ashamed of reading comics. I don't think anyone here would be ashamed of dying in superhero pajamas.

What I find disrespectful is that the headline focuses on the guys sleep wear not his accomplishments.
You can't list accomplishments in a headline. That's what the article is for. You use the headline to get people to read the article.

Beast

11-29-2006, 05:11 PM

I read it as a punctuation of his love for super-hero comics, a genre he helped shape and define.
Exactly. It's not like they're disrespecting him. They're not mocking his PJs.

Beast

11-29-2006, 05:12 PM

What poor taste...REALLY poor taste.
The only poor taste involved was the fact it was DC related jammies, instead of Marvel. :D

jmc247

11-29-2006, 05:15 PM

You need help, please see a psychiatrist. I worry about you. Seriously.

To prove my point News Corp was going to give two hours of prime time coverage to OJ to detail how he would have killed his wife if he had killed her. It took a massive public outcry to stop it.

I mean how many ways could OJ make up in two hours about how he would have butchered his wife?

There is no right or wrong dealing in news now adays, all the nets are controlled by companies like News Corp that only give a damn about the allmighty dollar.

Umbrax

11-29-2006, 05:15 PM

You can't list accomplishments in a headline. That's what the article is for. You use the headline to get people to read the article.

How about "Comic Book Legend Dies" or any of these perfectly fine headlines,

http://news.google.ca/news?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wn&ncl=1111551215

Former X-Men illustrator dies
Dave Cockrum, 63, Comic Book Artist, Dies
Dave Cockrum, 63; comics illustrator popularized X-Men
Ect...

When Stan Lee's time comes how would his headline read?

Zombienorthstar

11-29-2006, 05:15 PM

I just didnt catch the inflection...i hope it was trying to reflect his love of the medium...

Zombienorthstar

11-29-2006, 05:16 PM

When Stan Lee's time comes how would his headline read?

WITH LOTS OF ALLITERATION!!!

gorthon616

11-29-2006, 05:17 PM

You can't list accomplishments in a headline. That's what the article is for. You use the headline to get people to read the article.

They certainly did. Does that mean that it was tasteful and respectful? Certainly not. The fact that he was wearing comic pajamas is a very heartening note, that he loved the art so much. But plastering it on a headline, solely to get people to go "WTH?! Superman pajamas?!" is disrespectful. Would it be appropriate for a headline to go "Supermodel found dead. She has an AMAZING rack."? No. Would it get people to read the article? Yes. But that doesn't make it proper.

Umbrax

11-29-2006, 05:18 PM

WITH LOTS OF ALLITERATION!!!

I hope so lol

Long live Stan BTW

Beast

11-29-2006, 05:18 PM

To prove my point News Corp was going to give two hours of prime time coverage to OJ to detail how he would have killed his wife if he had killed her. It took a massive public outcry to stop it.

I mean how many ways could OJ make up in two hours about how he would have butchered his wife?

There is no right or wrong dealing in news now adays, all the nets are controlled by companies like News Corp that only give a damn about the allmighty dollar.
Yeah, cause you know they're making a mint on reporting what sort of jammies Dave Cockrum was wearing when he died. What are you, high? Or is there no excuse for such stupidity.

Christopher O

11-29-2006, 05:20 PM

How about "Comic Book Legend Dies" or any of these perfectly fine headlines,

http://news.google.ca/news?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wn&ncl=1111551215

Former X-Men illustrator dies
Dave Cockrum, 63, Comic Book Artist, Dies
Dave Cockrum, 63; comics illustrator popularized X-Men
Ect...

When Stan Lee's time comes how would his headline read?

None of those are as interesting as the one that was used. I think it really comes down to that.

Metallurgique

11-29-2006, 05:21 PM

A. There are far worse ways to go than dying in your sleep in your favorite chair while wearing a comfortable set of superman jammies. Believe me, I've seen.

B. "A family friend said he will be cremated in a Green Lantern shirt." Sounds like his friends and family don't mind...Why should we?

jmc247

11-29-2006, 05:22 PM

Yeah, cause you know they're making a mint on reporting what sort of jammies Dave Cockrum was wearing when he died. What are you, high? Or is there no excuse for such stupidity.

Read what I said from the last page.

"Today, nothing is unthinkable for the media. If a police officer was rumored to have said to his friend that semen was found on David Cockrum PJs they would run with it.

I am not saying that what they said in this artice about Cockrum was deeply offensive, but if the media had even more offensive material they would have run with it."

Christopher O

11-29-2006, 05:23 PM

They certainly did. Does that mean that it was tasteful and respectful? Certainly not. The fact that he was wearing comic pajamas is a very heartening note, that he loved the art so much. But plastering it on a headline, solely to get people to go "WTH?! Superman pajamas?!" is disrespectful. Would it be appropriate for a headline to go "Supermodel found dead. She has an AMAZING rack."? No. Would it get people to read the article? Yes. But that doesn't make it proper.
I don't think it was disrespectful. Obviously, you do, but the intent can't be gleaned from the headline alone, as it can with your poor example.

Beast

11-29-2006, 05:25 PM

Read what I said from the last page.

"Today, nothing is unthinkable for the media. If a police officer was rumored to have said to his friend that semen was found on David Cockrum PJs they would run with it.

I am not saying that what they said in this artice about Cockrum was deeply offensive, but if the media had even more offensive material they would have run with it."
Yeah, I read it. That's why I asked if you were high or just an idiot. Still waiting for the answer.

fishtaco

11-29-2006, 05:30 PM

I'm not reacting to it like the Turks against the pope, but I think that it was a really stupid headline and point of emphasis. What the hell? Who owns the AP, Rupert Murdoch?

jmc247

11-29-2006, 05:31 PM

Yeah, I read it. That's why I asked if you were high or just an idiot. Still waiting for the answer.

I take it you write for the AP or UPI?

Beast

11-29-2006, 05:33 PM

I take it you write for the AP or UPI?
If you would read the rest of the article, you'd know the context for the headline. But then that would require not jumping to conclusions and actually reading the whole thing.

Arrjay

11-29-2006, 05:35 PM

Friggin' tossers.

Ought to neuter the lot of them.

Arrjay

11-29-2006, 05:37 PM

I think this was a foolish move on the part of AP.

In any event complaining about it on an internet message board will acheive zip. Nada. Nothing.

Arrjay

11-29-2006, 05:43 PM

Over at the Community Forum I read this and it is pretty accurate:

It's a fairly-well-written article. The headline's a bit tasteless, but, I dunno, if you die specifically wearing that stuff it's kind of notable.

I still think it was an uninspired, tosser-ish headline personally.

The article is not offensive though and this is what matters.

Umbrax

11-29-2006, 05:43 PM

In any event complaining about it on an internet message board will acheive zip. Nada. Nothing.

That depends on how you look at it.

The exchange of information has been achieved.

Superboy Prime

11-29-2006, 05:44 PM

I don't believe the article is especially disrespectful, but I can see how and why some people may view it as such given the dubiousness of the headline which is all some people choose to actually look at.

In any event complaining about it on an internet message board will acheive zip. Nada. Nothing.

Theres alot of truth in that.

gorthon616

11-29-2006, 05:45 PM

I don't think it was disrespectful. Obviously, you do, but the intent can't be gleaned from the headline alone, as it can with your poor example.

It depends on the intent of the example. If my example was to be a perfect analog of the headline, then I agree it is poor.

If the example was meant to be emphatic to highlight a point, the point being that if the only standard for which you judge a headline to be to "use the headline to get people to read the article," then that standard allows for more crass headlines such as the one I used. Fulfilling it's point, I would say that it was a good example.

If you want to say it's not disrespectful. Fine. I can see that. I disagree, but I can see it. But what you said was basically "headlines are meant to get people to read the article period." From your post, you basically implied that you were perfectly fine with the writer using the fact that he was wearing Superman pajamas to get a crowd. Do you really think thats respectful? Sure more people would read it, but is that really the point? The point is someone died, and to convey that information to whomever is interested in that information. Not, "let's see if we can get as many people to read this article as possible."

And the point is that the headline was inappropriate and tasteless. The fact that the article was tasteful doesn't change the headline and what is and is not appropriate to put in a headline.

jmc247

11-29-2006, 05:49 PM

That's why I asked if you were high or just an idiot. Still waiting for the answer.

Flaming me is certainly helpful to your point oh wait it isn't.

I could call you a drug addicted retard, but it wouldn't help my point and it would make me look as petty are you.

gorthon616

11-29-2006, 05:49 PM

I think this was a foolish move on the part of AP.

In any event complaining about it on an internet message board will acheive zip. Nada. Nothing.

And what does this post achieve? Even less.

Christopher O

11-29-2006, 05:52 PM

If you want to say it's not disrespectful. Fine. I can see that. I disagree, but I can see it. But what you said was basically "headlines are meant to get people to read the article period." From your post, you basically implied that you were perfectly fine with the writer using the fact that he was wearing Superman pajamas to get a crowd. Do you really think thats respectful? Sure more people would read it, but is that really the point? The point is someone died, and to convey that information to whomever is interested in that information. Not, "let's see if we can get as many people to read this article as possible."
Obviously, the headline should also give a general idea about the article's content, which it does, but yeah, I think it comes down to getting readers, but that doesn't mean I advocate distasteful headlines--as you seem to suggest. Of course, I don't think this was distasteful. Yeah, the writer used the pajama thing as an attention-grabber, but it wasn't inherently disrespectful. In fact, I think the article puts it in context, which I find to be touching, sentimental, and respectful.

Pro

11-29-2006, 06:00 PM

First thing i thought when i read the headline was :"Well, that's actually fitting for someone who loved comics so much". I don't see how it's disrespectfull. It underlines how much he cared about the medium that gave him so much joy.

Arrjay

11-29-2006, 06:02 PM

And what does this post achieve?

Your Momma.

That's what.

gorthon616

11-29-2006, 06:14 PM

Obviously, the headline should also give a general idea about the article's content, which it does, but yeah, I think it comes down to getting readers, but that doesn't mean I advocate distasteful headlines--as you seem to suggest. Of course, I don't think this was distasteful. Yeah, the writer used the pajama thing as an attention-grabber, but it wasn't inherently disrespectful. In fact, I think the article puts into context, which I find to be touching, sentimental, and respectful.

Like I said, I can see that the argument that the headline is not distasteful.

If it seems that I seem to suggest, it's purely because from your post I felt that you seemed to suggest such a standard, if only in the headline.

And I do agree that the article is fine, and as you said, touching, sentimental and respectful. But even still, I feel that it wasn't proper. Perhaps distasteful is too strong of a word, but it was the story about a death of a person. And as such I feel that a more somber headline is appropriate.

gorthon616

11-29-2006, 06:21 PM

Your Momma.

That's what.

I still think that was an uninspired, tosser-ish comeback personally.

Arrjay is not clever though and this is what matters.

Christopher O

11-29-2006, 06:33 PM

Like I said, I can see that the argument that the headline is not distasteful.

If it seems that I seem to suggest, it's purely because from your post I felt that you seemed to suggest such a standard, if only in the headline.

And I do agree that the article is fine, and as you said, touching, sentimental and respectful. But even still, I feel that it wasn't proper. Perhaps distasteful is too strong of a word, but it was the story about a death of a person. And as such I feel that a more somber headline is appropriate.
It's cool. Death is, generally, a difficult subject to handle, and we all do so in different ways. I had a relative who requested "Don't Worry, Be Happy" be played at his funeral. It's what he wanted, and it's what he got.

streator

11-29-2006, 06:37 PM

i linked to this article in the other thread yesterday... didn't see a huge problem with it.

gorthon616

11-29-2006, 06:38 PM

It's cool. Death is, generally, a difficult subject to handle, and we all do so in different ways. I had a relative who requested "Don't Worry, Be Happy" be played at his funeral. It's what he wanted, and it's what he got.

Nice. I'm going for a Michael Jackson's Thriller-esque musical for my funeral. :D