Bounding into Comics Becomes The Latest Target of Industry Professionals

Bounding into Comics Becomes The Latest Target of Industry Professionals

Bounding into Comics has become the latest target of comic book industry professionals’ attempts to silence those whose opinions they disagree with.

On Tuesday, prominent Marvel and DC Comics Colorist Tamra Bonvillain (Doom Patrol, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Uncanny Avengers) issued a call to her followers to unfollow and ignore Bounding Into Comics (henceforth BiC):

Some of you, and several comics companies, are still following Bounding into Comics, which is just a comics gate news site. Every time they make me the subject of an article, out come the people calling me a “faggot” or a man. You legitimize them, and it’s a slap in the face. — Tamra Bonvillain (@TBonvillain) October 23, 2018

This sentiment was quickly echoed by other professionals across the industry, including:

Dee Cunniffe (Redneck):

Hey, if you’re a publisher or comic pro and you are following or retweeting Bounding into Comics you’re perpetuating a Comics Hate site. Be an ally to your LGBT+ friends and think about who you follow. — Dee Cunniffe (@deezoid) October 24, 2018

Matt Miner (GWAR: Orgasmageddon):

Unfollow and block BiC already, decent people of comics. https://t.co/8SDkbUBFgR — VOTE NOV 6 says MATT MINER (@MattMinerXVX) October 23, 2018

Matthew Southworth (Stumptown, The Amazing Spider-Man):

Pay attention: Bounding Into Comics is NOT a news site. It’s the Breitbart of Comicsgate, a shit-posting propaganda organ for alt-right comic dickheads. If it’s posted on BIC, it’s bullshit. https://t.co/JQsHvC0RPu — Matthew Southworth (@mattsouthworth) October 23, 2018

and CBR Writer Kieran Shiach:

Bounding Into Comics regularly post “news items” about just like, bad things that happen in my life. It is not a news resource, it’s a thinly veiled front for harassment and a hate movement. Don’t legitimise it with follows or access. https://t.co/KyDAJL5eEG — FRANKIERANSTEIN SHIACH (@KingImpulse) October 23, 2018

Readers of BiC know that the accusations of bigotry and hatred against the site and staff are categorically false. When covering LGBT+ related stories, BiC treats the subject with respect. Most stories are covered by simply presenting the news, such as BiC’s coverage of Jude Law discussing Dumbledore’s sexuality, Frank Oz’s comments on Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie, Dean Cain’s rebuttal to accusations of homophobia, or the announcement of an LGBT+ character debuting in Voltron: Legendary Defender. At other times, the site has written articles in support of or in defense of LGBT+ persons, such as their coverage of the harassment of Ruby Rose due to her casting as Batwoman, their response to Kit Harrington’s questioning of Marvel’s hiring of gay actors, and their speculation of Avril Kincaid and Korg as potential LGBT characters Marvel could add to the MCU. LGBT+ comics fans are comics fans and people just as much as anyone else, and BiC provides fair coverage and respect to any LGBT+ persons that are featured in articles.

As for Kieran’s claims, BiC has never covered his daily life or covered him in such a way that would be considered harassment. Shiach has been covered multiple times on BiC, but these articles covered subjects such as his constant harassment of various creators he personally disagrees with, his personal attacks on creators such as Ethan Van Sciver and Howard Chaykin, and a warning regarding a new crowdfunding campaign launched by Shiach while his previous campaign was still unfulfilled. Shiach can claim that BiC’s coverage of him is illegitimate and based on hate, but the evidence provided in these articles paints a decidedly different picture.

Yet, Bonvillain and Cunniffe don’t seem to take offense with the content and articles produced by BiC. Instead, their focus appears to the be the comments sections found in every article:

Some of you, and several comics companies, are still following Bounding into Comics, which is just a comics gate news site. Every time they make me the subject of an article, out come the people calling me a “faggot” or a man. You legitimize them, and it’s a slap in the face. — Tamra Bonvillain (@TBonvillain) October 23, 2018

Thanks for that – no shade against you personally. But have you read the comments on many of the articles? The site has control over what can be said but still lets hatred spew forth. They may not write it but they condone it. — Dee Cunniffe (@deezoid) October 24, 2018

It is undeniable that the comments section of BiC can be filled with hatred, personal attacks, and disgusting language. How is this, however, any different from the average YouTube video, popular Facebook post, or any other social media site (one could argue that even worse is seen on these massive platforms than on an independent comic book news website)? While BiC does not condone every comment posted, the site also does not believe in vast censorship. BiC believes in freedom of expression, even if this means exposing others to disgusting language and viewpoints. Afterall, how is the public to know just how truly stupid and hateful certain ideas and rhetoric are if they are swept away and hidden instead of exposed and ridiculed for the ridiculous and ignorant ideas they truly are?

Regarding the classification of BiC as a ‘Comics Hate’ web site or that ‘If it’s posted on BIC, it’s bullshit’, the work produced by the website speaks for itself. If one were to take the time to read BiC’s coverage of events such as Chuck Wendig’s recent firing, the recent Twitter study attributing negative responses to The Last Jedi to race and gender changes, Sara Silverman’s comments on women who support President Trump, or Peter Simeti’s potential legal action against CBR, one can see that there is no inherent or overt hatred being spread. Claims are regularly backed up by evidence and words are quoted and presented in context to provide readers with the full story (a practice which is missing from most other comic book news sites). While the topics being discussed may be unpleasant or reflect poorly on comic book professionals or companies, BiC’s goal is never to attack or insult, but instead detail news to their readers concerning comic book industry related moments and events.

For example purposes, below will be presented a handful of subjects followed by links to articles from BiC and other news sites so that readers can independently compare and contrast the claims against BiC’s coverage with sites regularly cited as alternatives:

Bonvillain’s call to arms does not end at simply unfollowing BiC. Bonvillain has also called for the site to essentially be black listed by comic book publishers:

I would appreciate it if some of you would check their followers, and if you see a company you’re working with or have a good enough relationship with to talk to them about it, make them aware. I’m sure it’s in error, and I’ve contacted a publisher before and got them to stop. — Tamra Bonvillain (@TBonvillain) October 23, 2018

Do we know that that is a thing that’s happening? I will definitely reach out to people if that’s the case. — Tamra Bonvillain (@TBonvillain) October 24, 2018

As with many other comic book news websites, BiC does in fact receive review copies of books from major publishers such as Image, DC, Boom!, IDW, etc. The one publisher that does not work with BiC is Marvel Comics. At one time BiC did receive press releases from Marvel, but Marvel has since ceased this practice and ignored all requests from BiC editorial for details.

Bonvillain is no stranger to controversy, as she has a history of producing and supporting inflammatory statements. Previously, Bonvillain called ComicsGate supporters “trash”, declared that the ComicsGate movement is a “hate campaign”, and harshly criticized Chelsea Cain because she did not include trans characters in her recent series.

Bounding into Comics is committed to providing readers and audience members with factual news coverage on the comic book industry. While many see the coverage of individual creators and their words as personal attacks, these stories are reported not out of malice, but because the audience deserves to be informed of the workings of the industry and how it could affect them personally. Though coverage may spark controversy, backlash, or even personal attacks, the team at BiC will continue to provide well-researched and informative stories from across the comic book industry.

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