Trying My Best To Make Mike Costa Cry

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:14 pm

I found some of his old posts. That cat got banned? Why? Because he had well thought out criticism that hit a little too close to home?

Reflex · Post by **Reflex** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:30 pm

Awesome!

Finally! Some fans with some guts!!

My message to Mike Costa-

You're a comic book writer!! Write for the characters in the comic... which in this case happen to be giant transforming robots.
If you don't like the fans opinions and feedback, then maybe you ought to find another line of work that doesn't involve you pissing all over the fans.
You are an idiot.

I'm not apt to spend a lot of time in forums, but I really just want to vent this and one other stupid thing.

Most the people over at the IDW boards are just plain stupid. It's like most of them don't even know who Optimus Prime really is, and they keep sticking up for this garbage that barely passes as being worthy of bearing the Transformers name and logo. I suppose it's a default given they might be afraid to speak negatively given it is the IDW site and not just Transformers, but still...
In the end, I'm tired of them.

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:46 pm

Costa's done. Not much point in being mad about him anymore.

Altho' I'll certainly never support anything he ever works on and chuckle with a glint of schadenfraude in my eye when his work in comics dries up, project by project (so long, Blackhawks).

I find that there are a lot of nice people on the IDW boards.

And then there are a handful that think that they are somehow removed from the fandom or better than the average TF fan. People who have slated, I dunno, Mike Costa, to name a name, in the past, and then turn into obsequious goop when he's around. "I hate your comics, but oboy, you're answering my questions *squeeeee* I've been acknowledged somehow *fangasm* Now I know more about Transformers than anyone even tho' I only started reading the books six months ago*die*"

The same thing happened a lot when Andy Schmidt frequented the boards... people had serious problems with the books... many of which could be laid directly at Andy's feet... but when Andy was on the board, as opposed to (respectfully; you don't have to be a psychopath) finding issue, everyone was striving to be his pal. I find that kind of two faced reaction appalling. Also, while I can appreciate the need to censor or at least rein in certain tendencies... the boards there are moderated in a strange way. There's lotsa tolerance unless there's a heated issue and then, if you don't tow the party line, it's watch out. If you have an issue with a favored poster, then watch out. That's why the IDW boards are no place for me, even tho' I like a number of the people there.

Also, the exceptions to what I said, by and large, post here. People who've read more than six month's worth of TF comics. Intelligent people, who have valid opinions. Moderators, but no need for strict moderation. People who like Transformrs and aren't worried about making an impression on anyone working at IDW. "Gee, I hope my Mosaic gets read because I said Denton Tipton has a nice shirt!"

Anyway.

Reflex · Post by **Reflex** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 10:03 pm

I will Transform to that!!!!
Couldn't have said it better myself.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 11:33 am

DJ_Convoy wrote:The same thing happened a lot when Andy Schmidt frequented the boards... people had serious problems with the books... many of which could be laid directly at Andy's feet... but when Andy was on the board, as opposed to (respectfully; you don't have to be a psychopath) finding issue, everyone was striving to be his pal. I find that kind of two faced reaction appalling.

I don't think that's fair. The board ripped into Andy properly for Continuum - just look at the link from the TFWiki to that thread. Andy actually turns up and says he's sorry, and the general response is: "Yes, it sucked, but good on you for admitting it."

People were trying to be friendly with Andy because (a) he engaged with TF fans in a friendly way, not just turning up every now and then to do a bit of publicity for an upcoming issue, and (b) he seemed amenable to criticism and suggestions. Of course, it didn't really work out, but at one point there was a real feeling that we was going back to Costa and they were actually working on fixing people's issues with the Ongoing.

Reflex · Post by **Reflex** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 12:37 am

I think you missed the point.

Being- some people over there worship creators of garbage even after admitting the garbage is garbage, but they will even further state that they actually like the garbage sometimes too.
I don't hang around people who like compromise and consistently accept it. Stand up and get after the best you can get!

And since I'm adding a bit again...
There is to a point in remaining mad with Costa.
Don't see a rightful apology from him,
Or McCarthy
Or Bay

The whole lot of em ought to be fed to the Sharkticons.

Post by **Kaylee** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:49 am

I begin to see what Costa was talking about re the fans...

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:25 pm

Reflex wrote:Being- some people over there worship creators of garbage even after admitting the garbage is garbage, but they will even further state that they actually like the garbage sometimes too.
I don't hang around people who like compromise and consistently accept it. Stand up and get after the best you can get!

Some people would call that being petulant and narrow-minded - after all, some fans have a very particular idea of what the best they can get it is (ie. my favourite character kicking all the other character's backsides). If everyone stamped their foot whenever their comic was less than their own personal idea of perfect, you'd have a fanbase it would be literally impossible to satisfy, unable to recognise a quality product when it hit them on the head.

So compromise is essential - we can't all have everything all at once, and we should be prepared to broaden our minds so that we can enjoy something that is good on its own merits.

Unfortunately, very little of what McCarthy and Costa did was good on its own merits. I found the IDW forum a pretty good place to be during the Costa run because you had lots of people being very, very nice, trying to find things to like about the books, but ultimately concluding that they were not very good. There is nothing more damning than that when it comes to criticism. If the fans are making every effort to like you and be your mate but they still have to cough and admit you suck, then you probably suck.

So I'd put it to you that that is more likely a factor in what got us James Roberts in the end, and that if the IDW board had been full of people just saying everything was bad all the time, the company would have just ignored us and kept dishing out rubbish.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 4:23 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:
POINT: That's exactly why Optimus HAD to give up. I USE CAPITAL LETTERS TO EMPHASIZE THAT OPTIMUS AND OTHELLO ARE KIND OF THE SAME. In that same sense, I will now introduce a new black prime and call him "The Moor."

Good job on changing the name of the Black Prime from "Nemesis." SO un-PC. :P

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 5:17 pm

Jack Cade wrote:
DJ_Convoy wrote:The same thing happened a lot when Andy Schmidt frequented the boards... people had serious problems with the books... many of which could be laid directly at Andy's feet... but when Andy was on the board, as opposed to (respectfully; you don't have to be a psychopath) finding issue, everyone was striving to be his pal. I find that kind of two faced reaction appalling.
I don't think that's fair. The board ripped into Andy properly for Continuum - just look at the link from the TFWiki to that thread. Andy actually turns up and says he's sorry, and the general response is: "Yes, it sucked, but good on you for admitting it."

People were trying to be friendly with Andy because (a) he engaged with TF fans in a friendly way, not just turning up every now and then to do a bit of publicity for an upcoming issue, and (b) he seemed amenable to criticism and suggestions. Of course, it didn't really work out, but at one point there was a real feeling that we was going back to Costa and they were actually working on fixing people's issues with the Ongoing.

I'm tarring too many with the same brush, I'll readily admit. As I said (but I guess I didn't make clear enough), there are some great posters over there... but I honestly feel like Andy was just lip-servicing us (all of us- he was too close and really didn't see what we saw) and there were (are) some people who are willing to defend IDW's take on the property for maybe not the best of reasons (particularly those who criticized it heavily but then had to about face due to external reasons or those who have other motives other than actually liking the books).

Anyway, he's gone, Costa's flailing around somewhere in a sea of irrelevance (perhaps partially composed of tears, as well. See how I brought it around back to the thread subject?), and I dig posting here MUCH, MUCH MORE than I do there. It's still "a nasty little corner of the internet," after all.

Reflex · Post by **Reflex** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:54 am

Jack-

The 8mm wrench doesn't work on the 9/16's nut and bolt.

I so much enjoy it when someone tries to explain things they think others don't understand.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:31 am

Shanti418 wrote:
bumblemusprime wrote:
POINT: That's exactly why Optimus HAD to give up. I USE CAPITAL LETTERS TO EMPHASIZE THAT OPTIMUS AND OTHELLO ARE KIND OF THE SAME. In that same sense, I will now introduce a new black prime and call him "The Moor."
Good job on changing the name of the Black Prime from "Nemesis." SO un-PC. :P

No longer do you have to mark "Nemesis History Month" on your calendar.

Post by **Best First** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:49 am

Best First likes this.