My contributions to the most recent Comics Panel at the AVC: Metalocalypse: Dethklok #1, JLA/The 99 #1, 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking; and Genius Isolated: The Art and Life of Alex Toth. Stick around for a headache-inducing argument about Stan Lee in the comments section!
NOTE: I have removed all posts from this site regarding my work at the A.V. Club, as is only appropriate. However, I have left this one up so as not to create the impression I am trying to erase it from the internet, or obscure my culpability. My apology for my misdeed is in comments as well as reproduced below, and I stand by it. Regardless of the status of this site, my regret for having done it will be eternal.
As those of you who have followed this link know by now, the review of the Alex Toth book was fabricated. I based it not on a reading of the book, but on secondary sources and second-hand information. This is unforgivable, absolutely the worst thing a critic can do, and my association with the AV Club is at an end because of it.
That I had never done it before and will never do it again is meaningless. The fact is, I did it, and by doing so, I scuttled 20+ years of tireless work as a writer and did my reputation near-irreparable harm. Worse, though, I damaged the credibility of the AV Club, the finest publication I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, in a way that they in no way deserved. I caused them no end of headaches through a rash, impulsive, and foolish decision.
There is no excuse for my behavior, so I offer none. I can only apologize to the AV Club staff, to IDW Publications and the authors of the book, and to all those who have read and supported my work in the past. I’m sorry for my unaccountable, stupid actions, and urge you not to bear the AV Club any ill will, but to place all the blame with me, where it belongs.
Shit. Really dug your writing, man- best of luck in the future…
Dude.
Despite you being a self-described shut-in, I’d like to invite you out for a sympathy beer since we live in the same city. And being smelly and unclean and pajama’d isn’t a deal-breaker, ladies…just keep that in mind.
Don’t know if you’re reading the Newswire comments, but we’re all in there saying we hope that you continue something like Metal Box and/or your awesome B:tAS reviews, here or in whatever venue you can. Fuckup aside, you’re too talented not to support. Hell, I’ll link over my readers from my review site if you start writing up metal again.
Hope you’re golding up okay.
holding*, of course.
Just one more imaginary internet friend wishing you well, and looking forward to reading more of your writing.
Will me you deeply Leonard. Keep us posted on what you’re up to, I follow you on Twitter
Dammit Leonard, how could you be so stupid? The last Metal Box was outstanding work and likely exhausting to put together so I guess I can understand why you did it…but surely you had to know that at least one member of a community full of internet shut-ins would come across the original piece pretty quickly?
I don’t honestly care that you did it, I just care that you’ll no longer be there. I don’t think most of the readers hold the AV Club to anywhere near the journalistic standards they apparently hold for themselves.
This is the worst news. I’m really sorry this happened Leonard, you are by far my favorite writer at AVC. I understand that this is serious, but in my mind it doesn’t mean jackshit compared to the amount of entertainment you’ve provided me since you started at AVClub. I very much hope you land on your feet and this little setback doesn’t keep you down very long. Much love brother.
Sorry to hear the news, Leonard… I really appreciated the way your diverse interests seemed to broaden the focus over at AVC and I’ll miss your metal coverage.
Keep your head up, learn from this mistake and know that the Club won’t be the same without you.
Best of luck to you and your family, Leonard. We all make mistakes. You’re a talented and passionate writer. I hope you do well in your future work. You will be missed.
Best wishes Leonard. You’ve got a lot of fans who will follow your writing, regardless of the venue, and who will look upon this incident (when they think of it at all) as it is: a dumb mistake that is in no way reflective of your gift for humor and insight. Here’s to moving on… and to having an excuse for drinking before 10AM.
Everybody fucks up, Leonard. I can sympathize with the pressure of being a broke-ass freelance writer trying to meet a deadline, and doing something stupid. I’m sorry, I wish you the best and I hope to see you somewhere else soon.
DEFINITELY GONNA MISS YOU OWNING FUCKERS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION PIERCE. ROCK THE FUCK ON
I’m sorry to see you go, Leonard. I won’t say that the AV Club didn’t make the right decision, but that doesn’t change the fact that I will sorely miss your presence at the site, both as a writer and a commenter. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and sincerely hope the lessons you learn from this experience will serve you well going forward.
Good night, sweet Pierce. I don’t know and won’t speculate on your motives, but good for you for manning up. I’ll definitely miss Metal Box. I only registered at AV Club because of it. 🙁
Leonard,
You were one of may favorite writers at the AVC. You screwed up and there were consequences, so let’s move on. No point in keeping that around the neck forever. I’m going to bookmark this site and read it regularly. Just keep your head up and do your thing. The beer’s on me etc.
What ZMF and AJR said. The AV Club made the right decision, but you might have been my favourite comment replier, and I enjoyed your articles too. I hope your career recovers.
Pierce,
Read these comments and understand folks love your work and that folks fuck up. I don’t post much at the Club these days but your features were always something to look forward to. If you are ever in middle-of-the-fuck nowhere Mass, there’s a cold one in my fridge with your name on it.
You may be down, now, but all you gotta do is keep your head down, pay your dues and keep working on your trade. You’ve got the talent to get another chance, just make sure you don’t fuck it up. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get back to work.
Write you magnificent bastard! WRITE!
I was terribly disappointed when I found out it was you Leonard. I’ll repeat what everyone else is saying here: you had a unique and valuable presence on the site and you will be sorely missed. I hope there’s still a chance that you’ll continue doing metal reviews somewhere else (thanks for turning me on to howl), but I’ll continue to follow you wherever you end up. Good luck, man.
Yea, this sucks. Metal Box is pretty much the only thing i leave comments on anymore. I learned about a ton of good shit there every month. You’ll be missed.
We’ll miss you, Leonard! As long as you don’t do a James Frey thing and enslave other authors to do your bidding I’ll look forward to your future work.
Nth-ing the words of support, Leonard. You were an eminently enjoyable presence at the AVC. You will be missed.
Leonard, you were by far my favorite AVC writer. You opened up a whole world of metal that I’m going to miss.
The AVC did the right thing in letting you go – they had to and I would have done the same – but I hope you learn from this and keep writing.