I warn you now, no one comes out of this looking good.

Allie Conti reported on local comic convention, Palmcon, a small but popular and growing con down in Palm Beach, Florida, for The Broward/Palm Beach New Times paper

She came back with the headline "PalmCon Probably the Most Depressing Comic Book Convention in History" and continued;

PalmCon is one of the most depressing places I've ever been to in my life. It was basically like going to a mall in which every store sells the same couple of dust-covered items and every person looks like they work at Hot Topic. I had sort-of high hopes for my first comic book convention — not because I like comics (ew) but because I really love dumb hats and costumes. Unfortunately, not many people at PalmCon were interested in dressing up, and quite a few looked like they had stumbled inside on accident.

She also took photos of cosplayers and mocked them rather, including;

Every Halloween, there's a girl who decides to dress as like a sexy Dalai Lama or a sexy pickle or something. It doesn't make sense, but people don't complain because boobs. Nerd events are apparently no different. PalmCon was this woman's first convention, and she wasn't dressed as anything in particular. That didn't stop countless older men from taking lots and lots of creepshots of her.

The comments began to fly, some rational and considered.

Also, thumbs up to New Times for sending someone to cover an event who admits to not care about said event's subject matter and openly mocks it and its attendees in the resulting column. Might I suggest a steakhouse being reviewed by a vegan? Or perhaps a militant feminist's opinion on a new strip club?

The cosplayer in question replied;

First, I told you it was the second convention I had ever been to, but more importantly than that, I wore the same costume to the first convention… I think what bothers me most about this is your attitude towards what other women choose to wear. Other than my cleavage (which I will admit I have ample amounts of) I was very covered compared to some other women there, and yet it was me that caught your ire, and I have to ask why? Was it the size of my boobs? Really I would make them smaller if I could, my back KILLS at the end of the work day. But I think it is a bigger problem than that. The bigger problem is women like you who feel the need to try to slut-shame or put down other women who make the conscious and consensual decision to show off their bodies. It shows nothing but narrow mindedness and general lack of maturity on your part, and does nothing but hurt the women around you. When women attack other women as you did here, it holds back our gender as a whole and proves the stereotypes right.

Many more, less so.

Writer = Bigger douche than Jon Edward. I seriously hope your editor reads these comments and fires your trashy little hipster ass and you have to go work at Starbucks where rude snotty hipsters like you belong.If you click the writers name you can send your comments directly as well—just FYI to Alley Cunti—oh my bad–CONTIDear Author, please kill yourself. -Everyone

And onto Facebook; Allie Conti then responded in a new piece, "PalmCon Response: Why Would Nerds Cyberbully Little Old Me?"

No one asked me to attend the event — I went there because I wanted to check it out. As soon as I stepped into the convention center, I resented the fact that I had forked over my cash (on top of gas money and parking) for admission to a garage sale. Palm Beach County's comics enthusiasts deserve better.

And back came the comments;

This is almost more offensive than the first article. Almost. You started the cyberbullying with your bullshit article and then you write this mocking trash? You are a worthless, soulless disgusting trash heap of a human being.

There are those now calling for boycotts and protests against the paper unless they issue an apology. Conti doesn't seem minded to do so, however.

UPDATE: The newspaper has apologised. The commentators haven't.