I think I just got my first bit of Henry & Glenn Forever inspired hatemail. This was left in my comments inbox, but I thought I'd post it here and respond. From someone named Ravenscar:
"I cant think of whats more pathetic: the irony in the truth that, Tom IS a typical internet loser phile with no life or LASTING legacy like Henry or Glenn-despite the many obvious and predictable detractions one could rip them apart with, and which countless nobodys do every second of everyday about those who more popular than them (hint, hint) or the fact that their contribution to the arts is a mediocre piece whose artwork is unoriginal, and rips off the longstanding underground greats poking at a longtime, long lasting comraderie of two people responsible for setting off an entirely new genre of music, as *assumes butthead tone* uh, huh-huh, those two are gaybags...I laughed at your piece then moved on...enjoy your 15 seconds of fame"
Thanks for your comment. I haven't been around long enough to have any "lasting legacy." Time will tell. And if I do end up with any legacy as an artist, I hope it's for my many other works of art and comics which i take much more seriously: The Blot, Your Disease Spread Quick, Brilliantly Ham-fisted, my forthcoming book The Wolf, or any of the other pieces of art that I've worked very hard at over the years, and will continue to work at for the rest of my life. Art is my life. And though the Henry & Glenn book may be the most popular and successful thing I've done so far, I consider it a very small part of my body of work. You took the time to find my website and comment on my blog, why don't you take a look at all of the other things I've done?
The "15 seconds of fame" I've received for Henry & Glenn has, in my view, unfortunately overshadowed everything else I've done as an artist. I think Henry & Glenn is a fun book, and I enjoyed making it with my friends (there were three other talented artists involved), and people really seem to love it. It's popularity has far surpassed my expectations. But as I've said in many interviews recently, it's just a dumb joke book that we thought up over a night of too many beers. There's no need to take it so seriously and get upset about it. It's funny that you quote Butthead... Beavis and Butthead essentially did the same thing, making fun of bands, and nearly 20 years later people still laugh with them and quote them. That's a lasting legacy.
As for me being a "typical internet loser phile" well, at least I try to create art, rather than just leaving hateful and badly written comments on blogs while hiding behind a pseudonym.
I have the utmost respect for the legacies of both Rollins and Danzig (I also love Hall and Oates, but their portrayal doesn't seem to bother you). Even though we poke fun at them with our little book, it is done with great appreciation for their contribution to the music world. I have most of their albums and still listen to them regularly. The first time I heard the Misfits, way back in the 6th grade, it blew my mind and opened me up to a new world of music and I have continued to search for new and interesting udnerground punk, metal and other forms of music my entire life. I'm also a self-publishing DIY artist and find great inspiration from the history of bands like the Misfits and Black Flag who adhered strongly to the DIY ethic in their early careers.
It has been said that parody is the greatest form of flattery, and I think that's true. If I didn't love these two great musicians, I wouldn't have devoted this much time and energy to making a book about them. I think it's unfortunate that Danzig and many of his fans, including you, are unable to see that in our work. It's unfortunate that you don't have a sense of humor about these things. But oh well... Have a nice life.
7 comments:
Well said.
I have been a Black Flag/ Rollins Band and Misfits/Samhain/Danzig fan since I was around 12. I think that this is one of the funniest comics I have ever read. Ravenclaw needs to stop jerking off to the Victoria's Secret catalog, move out of his folk's basement and get a since of humor already. I bet rollins would think it's funny. I've met Danzig 3 times and the guy's kind of dick so I don't know about his opinion. I can't go for that is a great song, and I'd imagine Hall and Oats is just happy for the exposure.
Yeah, my advice is to chill out. None of the Igloo artists, Tom included, are seriously inferring that Rollins or Danzig are homosexual, much less that they would be in a homosexual relationship together. Not, as the Seinfeld joke goes, that there is anything wrong with that.
Rollins and Danzig represent two musical icons who thrive on a certain hyper-masculine image. It's a funny ha-ha joke to explore the gag of them as a couple.
Speaking of traditions in art...if Harvey Kurtzman, or Bill Elder, or Wally Wood were around today, they'd be doing the same kind of parody. Just 'cause Kurtzman/Wood parodied Superman doesn't mean they hated Superman...I'm sure they loved the character.
Tom, you've probably spent too much time explaining to a lone voice in the wilderness when what the Cramps once sang sums it up succinctly...
"The joke's on you...you don't get it. Do ya?"
You dont need to justify the comic to idiots. Insecurity is at the heart of modern metal music, thats why we have all the horror masks and bull shit shock factor names and aggressive song titles. Alot of this music (bar the rare few who bother putting some intelligence into it) is made by beer-swilling, swearing, man-children with long beards to show how manly and tough they are while at the same time being as fake as any of the pretty pink pop stars they mock.
Don't let Henry and Glenn define you, but don't believe some teenagers opinion just because he fears his tough guy role models could have a different side.
You've struck a nerve. It's only veiled homophobia.
Hey, I just found this blog through some other thread related to ripping off artists. Took a quick glance at the hate mail and all I can say is this:
1. This guy knows how to hate but he doesn't know how to write. That was one long sentence. Lord knows if he has any other skills.
2. That thing about being a loser. Everyone's a loser because we all lose in the end. Best we can do is do it gracefully. Sometimes we even win while we do it. That's life.
3. You've got real skills man, I like what I see. Just focus on that and keep working harder, and learn to just ignore shit like this. Any time you make art someone will always be there trashing it. Just tune it out to another station.
I appreciate the kind responses. Thank you. But I didn't intend this post to seem like I was upset by this clown's comments. I have thick skin and this doesn't bother me at all. I don't care. I'm not hurt by anything like this. I've dealt with this kind of thing for years. I've had much worse comments directed at me over the years for my art. I'm not trying to justify myself in response to this jackass. I just want my intentions behind this book to be clear and understood. And I thought his comment was hilariously stupid and wanted to share it with everyone.
I think it's sad that there are people out there who are unable to have a sense of humor about these things. And I think it's sad that the internet is full of people slinging hatred around. This book was not created with any hatred towards Henry or Glenn or any of their fans. And I won't tolerate any hatred directed towards us for making this book.
Luckily most people seem intelligent enough to see H+G4ever for what it is, embrace it and laugh with us. And that makes people like Ravenscar look even more pathetic.
Wow, that guy is awesome. Somebody should do a comic of his letter and then one of him living with Rob who obviously has some issues with metalheads. Haters have to hate.
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