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.
Hi Leonard,
You know, I got on you a bit about that whole Whedon dust-up that you never understood, but I hope you know that I loved your writing and will really miss your contributions and I also loved the way you were so willing to interact with everyone at the site. You will really be missed.
You did something really stupid. We’ve all done it. We’re all human. It’s over and you just have to move one. I genuinely hope you can put this behind you and I’ll check in here from time to time and keep up with your writing.
Good luck.
Yeah, you were my favorite writer on AVC as well. I’m very sad. Wish you the best, keep your chin up, etc.
Good apology, Pierce, but dick move. In my book you’re a decent enough writer, and all you can really do now is stick at it. Plus people are cutting you a LOT of slack for this fuck-up, and most people don’t get that kind of reassurance straight after getting caught doing something so stupid.
Hopefully you take it as an indication that you were appreciated, and move on from here. Hopefully this humbles you and you lose some of that arrogance; although beyond your refusal to heed anyone’s reasonable criticisms of your work, it was always great to have you so involved in the comments.
Good luck dude. I hope you salvage something of this.
Chiming in with all the other people that’ll miss ya at AVC, Leonard.
Leonard, I’m super bummed. When I read it was you I was still hoping that it was someone else. I’ve always appreciated your contributions, both articles and comments. You’ll be missed.
Pierce, I can’t fathom the pressures you were going through that you felt you had to fake the review. Reputations can be repaired and I hope another site will pick you up before too long.
Chin up, Leonard. Fight through this.
Another Metal Box fan here – you got me into a lot of stuff I never would have found otherwise. Everyone fucks up, man. Don’t let it keep you down.
FUCK
Metal Box was huge for me. I always planned to write you a long detailed e-mail and tell you that I thought it was a culturally momentous fucking feature. You really need to carry the fire and make history with great metal writing. As someone who has never personally seen anything resembling journalistic integrity in his life and who constantly decries the systemic fake-ass posturing that is so prevalent in the crumbling field of journalism, I believe that this is a bullshit turn of events. What you did was bullshit, the response was bullshit, the situation is bullshit. There is no such thing as journalistic integrity – not in the real world. All that matters is that you keep writing, because we will keep reading.
JSA
Leonard –
Deep breath, try again. Clearly you’ve got talent, and an audience. Keep going with the B:TAS reviews here or elsewhere, and the universe will make things right.
Personally, I wouldn’t have minded if this had all just blown over and you had continued to write and contribute as always, but I understand the necessary decision that was made. Best of luck and know that you still have a ton of people that will read and support you in whatever you do next.
Sorry to hear about all of this, Mr. Pierce. I enjoyed your writing on the AV Club.
I’m curious, though: does this revelation mean any of your past work should be questioned?
Aw, sucks, dude. Good luck.
Fuck. Fuck. Mother mother fuck fuck.
Leonard–sorry about all this. Seems like this is the right thing right now and gratified how all parties (inlcuding most of us unruly rabble) have comported themselves. Hope you can salvage what you can and build anew what you can’t.
That seems like the kind of mistake people make when they’re having pressure/problems in their personal lives. I don’t mean to get all up in your business, but I hope things get better for you.
I was looking forward to your insight into Batman TAS. Maybe when things settle down for you you can write about some of your broader thoughts on the show. I suppose I’ll have to keep an eye on this site.
Just wanted to add my name to the list of AVClub commenters wishing you the best of luck in the future.
Leonard:
I write to say the following. Everyone at some point makes the biggest mistake of their life. Don’t let it define you. Only you can define you. You won’t be able to stop thinking about it and regretting it. But it’s up to you whether you will move on. Stay positive. Stay strong. Take it one day at a time. Don’t make any big decisions about relationships or money. Just heal yourself, hopefully by yourself, and you will emerge from this stronger than ever. You made a mistake, but if no one made mistakes, no one would ever learn anything. Hang in there. There is a source of inner strength that is there for you, call it whatever you want, but it’s there.
I wish you luck in whatever non-writing career you choose to follow, but you should never be paid to write again.
And you should eat a flaming back of dicks, Aaron.
Only assholes kick a man when he’s down, and only super-duper assholes kick a man when he’s down from the safety of the internet.
You must be feeling miserable now, but lots of us will be waiting eagerly to read your stuff when this blows over. ::big, buxom hugs::
So sorry to hear about this Leonard. I’ll miss you mixing it up with the peanut gallery in the AVC comments. Props for taking responsibility and good luck to you for here on. Chin up.
I had the B:TAS DVD’s on order in anticipation of joining in the fun. Your piece last week on the Joker was awesome. Hope we can still get your insights into that series and characters in some way.
Hey, LP, this is surely some bummer days. If you keep up the Batman TAS reviews over here, I’ll keep reading them. Take care
I’m sorry this has happened, Leonard. Yyou will find the strength to move on and also, I’m sure AVC will move on as well. Hopefully this will be a hiccup in your career. Good luck.
I can’t even name a number 2, and you were my favorite writer. Especially on the boards. I am truly a fan of yours and I will miss you. Pop in unregistered, if your heart can stand it.
What the hell? How could you do something so idiotic? I really like your writing, but this is so shitty. Why would you do something like this for such a minor assignment? Especially when you just say “hey, they actually haven’t published this yet,” and everyone moves on.
To all of you washing Pierce’s (once large, but probably now retreating into his body cavity) balls, think of what you would say if Pitchfork got caught doing this. Or Fox News. Most would probably castigate the writer and use his actions to condemn his employer. He did something incredibly stupid and is paying the consequence. Way to throw away your career over a 75 word comic book review. The fact that you got caught over something so trivial makes me think this isn’t the first time you’ve done something so corrupt.