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.
Man, they let Fabian Nicieza write that book? Don’t they remember the last time he wrote about a bunch of Arabs?
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.
🙁
I’ll miss you at the AVC, big guy. But now that I know that this site exists, I’ll put it in my favourites. That’s not much consolation, probably, but… it’s all I have.
Why did you do it?
I am very sorry to hear this, man. I really enjoyed your writing, especially Metal Box. I will now have this site tagged.
I wish you all the best.
Damn shame, my man, all the way around. I too will miss you over at the AV Club.
Much luck and good cheer. If you ever get up to NYC, come find me in Queens. We can drink beer and fuck shit up.
Leonard! You asshole! I enjoyed the shit out of your Batman write ups and now I can’t read them anymore! GODDAMMIT!
This is awful news. Metal Box was the best thing that eve happened to that site. There was a whole comment-board sub-community unique to it that I’ll miss reading (and occasionally contributing to) terribly.
I’ll still come to this site in all probability, if that’s any consolation. Your status as an All-Around Awesome Dude is affected by this, but your talent and insight as a critic are inarguable–you’ve still got that.
This is unfortunate. I, too, will greatly miss your input at the A.V. Club and hope to seek out your opinions in the future. As someone who is lazy and irresponsible and doesn’t care about dumb stuff I bear no ill will. Hope everyone forgets and you get work worthy of your talent.
Good luck Leonard, we’ll miss you mixing it up with us on the boards.
As much as I will miss your presence at the AV Club and as regrettable as this whole situation is, I really hope you bounce back from this. You had one of the sharpest senses of humor on that site and are an incisive, interesting writer.
Seriously, you’ve got talent, and if and when you find a new venue for it, I fully plan on following you there as a reader.
I’m going to miss your presence at the AV Club. For some reason I feel like the same way I felt when I observed a mistake made my Hank or Brit in Terriers.
You will be missed at the AV Club, Leonard. I believe I started serial commenting there about the time you started writing for them, and your work was consistently stellar. I’m really sorry to see you go. The loss of Metal Box is an especially crushing blow.
Hopefully, you’ll still be able to come over and mix it up in the comments section from time to time.
Damn, Pierce. I’ll really miss your contributions. You’ve been by far one of the most pleasing parts of my reading the AV Club. I hope, whatever happened to cause this, that you bounce back ok.
Too bad about all this. You were my favorite writer at the AV Club. Good luck.
Sorry to hear you’re gone Pierce. You were one of the better writers and I liked that you responded more to our responses more than some of the other writers. You were one classy broad.
But Metal Box! :C
I was genuinely, actually sad to read the news about this, Leonard. I think you’re a terrific writer (I mean, the Davis piece was awesome) and in many ways is deeply sad that a small mistake like this (it’s not like you sold meth to a kid or something) is enough to scuttle your career at AVC. I hope you’ll keep plugging away at pop culture criticism and I really really hope you’ll continue to write about metal somewhere. And of course I’ll continue following your Twitter which is always entertaining.
Anyway, well done on talking about it in a straightforward and stoic way and best of luck.
As others have said and I should have above, your presence in the comment boards will be particularly missed–no one else on that staff has that good a relationship with commenters.
NO! Metal Box…who is going to clue me into bad ass black metal?
Lambgoat? Vomit.
I’m seriously let down. After I get through the 20 albums I still need to buy from 2010, I guess I’ll just work backwards.
I’m just really disappointed in this. It was a one paragraph blurb for a comics panel. It really wouldn’t have been ok to say, “Hey, Mr. Phipps, I’d love to review this book for you, but it doesn’t exist yet, so that’s impossible. Sorry.” I just don’t understand why you would do this. I’m sorry to beat up on you while you’re down, but it baffles me.
I hope you get your head back on straight and learn from this. I think you’re a really talented writer and critic and you’re better than this shit. So, truly, good luck in bouncing back and regaining your credibility. I look forward to reading more of your work in the future.
For what it’s worth – you will be missed. You’re a fine writer and one hell of a critic. The site won’t be the same without you.
I’m frustrated for selfish reasons, because I enjoyed your work with the A.V. Club and now I won’t get to see any more of it. And I’m sad for you, because you’re probably kicking the crap out of yourself for such a stupid mistake. Killing your reputation, no confusion or misunderstanding… Just doing something stupid, and for such an insignificant thing to boot.
I hope you get another shot at a platform/outlet like the A.V. Club again, and I hope I get a chance to find your work there. Don’t let a stupid mistake define you… Take comfort in your talent and let it someday re-earn you the success it merits.
People screw up. You’ve done some damn fine work, and if you can look your fans square in the eye, tell us you won’t ever do it again- I’m certain a lot of us will give you another shot. Dust yourself off and start over. Somewhere there’s a friend holding a drink with your name on it.
As a world-class fuckup, I have to voice my sympathy. Sorry, Mr. Pierce. You have the most distinctive voice of the AVC writers. Perhaps you just weren’t meant to be a journalist? But you are definitely a talented writer. Best wishes.
fuck man. for what its worth, i always thought you were the best damn writer on the avc.
please continue batman TAS reviews somehow???