 :: Sunday, November 23, 2003 :: Broken Rules A little late but here it is a look at “The Old Bastard Manifesto”. But first we need a bit of history. SUPER HISTORY When the old bastard manifesto came out Warren Ellis was one of the most highly regarded writers in comics and one of the main forces behind the comic book writer as the main talent/draw on a book. Not only that but his message boards were one of the most influential on the industry. At the time the manifesto hit Marvel was dying, the Ultimate line was just in the works, trade paperbacks were for only the most popular books, Grant Morrison had just finished the Invisibles, Mark Millar was a no name just starting his run on the Authority after Ellis’ opening run on the book, and Bendis was making big noise with his own title Powers. Ellis was a power to be reckoned with a fan base that was not only loyal to him, but often acted as an army. “The Old Bastard Manifesto” was Ellis’ assault on everything he hated in the comic book industry, it was meant for creators, publishers, retailers and readers, and it seemed to work for a while, until everything fell apart. SUPER INTRO AND ITEMS 1-3 The first problem one can see with the Manifesto is the expiry date, Ellis seemed to actually expect such massive and radical change out of the industry within only a matter of nine months, theoretically possible really, but nearly impossible without actually burning down comic shops that were seemingly in the wrong of his point of view. Although the expiry date is also malleable, and the Manifesto is still applicable today in many respects, without the general behind it seems more like disenfranchised ranting without purpose. As stated in “ITEM ONE” the industry was in serious flux and was in desperate need of change before it collapsed in on itself, many of those changes made were listed in the manifesto. Although compromised Ellis’ vision for the comics industry did make it in time for the best before date. “ITEM TWO” is directed at the fan base, creators and critics, unfortunately expecting the majority of comic book readers to grow up is asking a bit much. “ITEM THREE” is what has made the most headway in the industry, the proliferation of graphic novels and publishing in trade paperbacks is one of the main saving graces of the industry as it stands now. Although extended serial stories are still a mainstay in the industry, story arcs are prevalent through out so the books can be collected in trades so they can remain on shelves for extended periods. SUPER ITEMS 4-7 ,9, 10 In some parts he’s right, but in some he’s wrong, presenting a more creator based face to the public is something that works, Neil Gaiman’s Endless Nights was just on the New York times top 20 after all. We don’t need anymore superheroes really, no matter how fun they are, but the thing is that there is over whelming tons of crap in every medium, that’s almost entirely inescapable. Some changes were made in these areas things have gotten much better over all. There was only one real problem that ruined it all for him. SUPER SCRATCH ON THE EIGHT BALL “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “This protest against the World Trade Organization is brought to you by McDonalds, and Pepsi.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “This revolution against our capitalist oppressors is brought to you by AOL/Time Warner.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” “These condoms were blessed by the Pope.” “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” You can’t have the figure head of a revolution openly shaking hands with the enemy. The revolution will die. You can’t give the oppressors time to come up with a compromise that will appease the masses before your changes go through. You can’t as general be giving your enemy’s ammunition. And Warren Ellis did. Admitting it in the middle of the tirade doesn’t excuse it, just as knowing you’re an asshole doesn’t excuse assholish behavior. You can’t go sleeping with the enemy every night and never leave a bomb when you get up in the morning. Warren Ellis gave an example of a compromised revolutionary leader for comics that allowed others to say “well it will bring exposure to my other work.” Grant Morrison did one creator owned series that sold as a bottom tier title for Vertigo while writing New X-Men for Marvel to line his pockets, Brian Michael Bendis was the big time indy writer with his series Powers when the OBM hit (he even had Ellis make a cameo in Powers where a good chunk of the Manifesto made part of the stories dialogue), but now Powers shows up once every few months and he’s writing 5-6 comics a months for Marvel now. Later that year Ellis wrote on his website that he had felt abandoned by his peers who had all said they would follow his example and work on creator owned, non corporate type stories, the thing is that they followed his example. “I am part of the problem. Fuck you.” No, you fucked yourself I think. You broke your own rules. ** Okay, I was late with this, but I will be back on Thursday with a conversation with a beautiful, kind, witty and talented lady. At least I should be. Jay D’Ici Pointe-Claire 2003 10:04 PM + Jay D'Ici + permalink |