You can attribute any sort of nonsense you want for Chester's motivation in changing direction but market manipulation would have to be the last angle ever. As far as I recall sales initially dropped anyway.

I've spoken to Chester, Seth and Joe dozens of times over the years and am pretty convinced that they were just following Joe's lead who was following Crumb's beforehand. It was creatively (not sales or press) driven. If anything the most positive "press" concerned his Gospels- which he proceeded to drop. To that end if there is a more guileless huckster than Brown I'd love to meet him.

stephen: "I've spoken to Chester, Seth and Joe dozens of times over the years and am pretty convinced that they were just following Joe's lead who was following Crumb's beforehand."

Yes, thank you.

Brown was interested in following a different path that others were already following and he wanted to go, too. Playing to a different (albeit smaller) crowd, whatever you want to call it. Calling that "crass commercial reasons" is your interpretation. It's not my fault you don't understand what you read, Reece.

Now try again.

Bendrix: "First you said you could back it up."

When did I say I could "back it up?" I don't seem to recall that. I just said here's a thing that has happened, and Reece asked for details (and Larsen didn't deny it, btw). I have given the points of contact to find those details if you wish to pursue it.

Beyond that, blow it out your ass.



Bendrix: "And you get used to the fact that I, or everyone else, will call bullshit on you when you can't back up your claims."

I already issued an open invitation for you to do just that, moron.

Still waiting...

I rest my case.

So you've got nothing, is what you're telling me.

How about that Erik Larsen has been tracing John Byrne for his entire career? You change that to copying when pressed, like you don't see the difference between the two verbs, even though they mean different things, and you completely fail to provide any evidence for either.

That's making up stuff that is completely untrue.

Yo. Moron. If you want another trouncing, just ask for it directly.


Larsen copies other artists. That's a fact. He learned to draw by copying from comics. That's another fact. "Learned to draw by tracing John Byrne comics" is just a more pointed way of saying it, intended to get a rise out of Larsen when he wouldn't drop the Colletta bashing (Colletta was a far more talented artist than Larsen will ever be), and it worked. I think everyone here (except you) is smart enough to realize that.

Remind me again how you define the word "fact?"

And how do you figure anyone didn't realize you were trying to provoke Larsen, and how does that even enter into the "fact" you never provided any evidence for your claims about Larsen?

Okay, everyone here except Chris and Joe is smart enough.

Use your eyes. Look at Larsen's work (I know it's painful). There are intrinsic elements of other artists in there. Not stylistic homage-like overlays, but fundamental and formational ingredients. I provided many examples. Kirby, Miller, Simonson, Staton, Kane, Ditko... and yes, Byrne. Many people on this thread have said they can see that, including YOU. I realize you get your jollies trying to bust my balls, but you know I'm right about this.



Now then. What did you do to run off Ness?