What is up my fellow non-fundamental rights having people? Are you ready to get this party started? Yes. Let’s do this. Let’s get into the last week of comics news.
I regretfully begin another Previously with news of a member of the comics family’s untimely passing. Mike Pasciullo, Senior Vice President of Marvel Television & Entertainment, Marketing & Publicity, passed away at the age of 50 last week. Mike joined Marvel 25 years ago and devoted his time and energy to fans and the industry he loved. He also worked on numerous Marvel TV series, including Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
It's with deep sadness that we announce our dear friend and colleague Mike Pasciullo has passed away. Since joining over 25 years ago, Mike worked tirelessly to bring the spirit of Marvel to fans worldwide. His memory will live on forever within the Marvel family and beyond. pic.twitter.com/2qYGvUCBK6
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) June 22, 2022
Online, former and current co-workers and friends expressed their sadness and shared stories of Pasciullo.
In a statement, Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski wrote:
“Sometimes you meet someone and immediately know you’ll be friends for life, which is what happened the day Mike Pasciullo burst into mine. From our shared love of Marvel comics, ’80s metal bands and Philly cheesesteaks, we just clicked. While Mike always preferred to work more behind-the-scenes, Marvel would not be what it is today without him. His legacy will carry on forever, and for those of us who knew him best, Mike will always live on in our hearts, wearing his Penn State hat, rooting for the Eagles, and trying to convince us Poison was the greatest band of all time.”
The Avengers actor Clark Gregg shared a tribute to Pasciullo on Twitter.
Spent many, many hours with Mike Pasciullo. He was a devoted Marvel fanboy who was fiercely committed to his shows and their casts and a lovely, lovely man. Sending love to his family. https://t.co/PBqbMFBxRj
— Clark Gregg (@clarkgregg) June 22, 2022
Our condolences to Mike’s family, friends, and loved ones.
In a week of terrible news, it is nice to report there are still folks out there doing good stuff.
Independent Comic Book Publishers Audit
Our friends at Comic Book Yeti are compiling a list of independent comic publishers along with vital information about the submission process for creators.
Who are the top indie publishers right now?
What makes them different from others?
How much do they rely on crowdfunding?
Do they have open submissions?
How much of your IP do they keep?
We have answers.https://t.co/LuNHgLGqZ7
— Comic Book Yeti (@ComicBookYeti) June 22, 2022
The team has also included details about intellectual property ownership, how the publishers are funded, and the type of comics published. Compiling this information and putting it in one place is an auspicious task, but we certainly appreciate it. You can view the 2022 Independent Comic Book Publishers Audit here. And now, back to your regularly scheduled trash news.
Marvel Apologizes Again, Volume 3990009
If you missed the disaster that was Marvel’s What if…? Miles Morales #4, here’s a brief synopsis: Miles Morales becomes Thor, lives in Brooklyn-Esque Asgard, and only speaks in racist stereotypes. The comic’s writer, Yehudi Mercado, made it feel like he had never actually read anything featuring Miles Morales. It’s not like the comics art by Luigi Zagaria helped either.
miles morales as urban™️ thor makes me want comics etc to go back to being outwardly racist pic.twitter.com/OeKXtrSTvW
— cheef o'brien (@borgposting) June 17, 2022
As Spider-Man, Morales stepped into the Marvel Universe in August 2011. Since then, Morales has been featured in solo comics series, books, and of course, the best superhero movie of all time: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The film was the first to feature an Afro-Latino character superhero as the lead character.
Writing for The Root, Stephanie Holland nails why Morales is important: “The reason Miles was such an instant hit was that he was just a normal, awkward teenager who wanted to help people. Like every other Black person, he talks like a regular human being, not a weird Blaxploitation caricature.”
So yah, Mercado’s depiction of Morales invited immediate condemnation.
There are reasons why black people keep asking for black characters to be written by black writers and drawn by black artists.
That Miles Morales as Thor comic is legit one of those reasons.
— ShonuffKay (@ShoNuffKay37) June 17, 2022
Long sigh.
Mercado released an apology on Twitter on June 22. It reads, “I’ve taken the last few days to step back and listen, and I acknowledge your criticism for my recent issue of What If…Miles Morales was Thor. While I’ve lived a different experience through my own Jewish and Mexican background, I still know inauthenticity hurts, and I’m sorry this failed on that front. I’ve appreciated hearing and learning from my Black and Puerto Rican comics peers and hope to use this moment to help promote better authenticity. I’m also going to donate what Marvel paid me to the Brooklyn Book Bodega, which works to build literacy and get more books to kids in NYC.”
— Yehudi "CHUNKY GOES TO CAMP" Mercado (@ymercado) June 22, 2022
Hrm. I guess I’ll say this to end it. It’s just very interesting that this keeps happening to Marvel. Don’t you find it interesting that this keeps happening?
Well, that’s all I got, team.
In the meantime, donate to your local abortion fund if you can.
