Shock To The System, by Michael Davis – Straight No Chaser #210

March 18, 2011 Michael Davis 0 Comments

Last week I was going to run an article complaining about how no one from DC Comics has called me to contribute to the Static Shock tribute issue. No one from DC Comics has reached out to me to contribute to a book I co-created. They have called people who I hired to work at Milestone but no one from DC Comics called me. They have called people who I discovered to work on the Static Shock tribute book but no one called me.

I did not run the article because the events in Japan were much more important than my ranting about not getting a call from DC.

Since last week DC has been dealing with quite the firestorm concerning the Static tribute issue. The problem for them is some artist who I won’t mention because I could give a damn about him tweeted that DC were being Dicks because the tribute issue was not giving any money to charity or to Dwayne McDuffie’s family.

There is a HUGE difference between a tribute book and a benefit issue. DC never said it was a benefit issue.

I’ll say it again DC NEVER said they were doing a benefit book.

Who reads the word ‘tribute’ and thinks “HEY! THIS IS NOT RIGHT! WHY DOESN’T DC GIVE MONEY TO THE WHALES OR HELP IN GLOBAL WARMING WITH THE MONEY THEY EARN FROM THIS BOOK?”

I’ll tell you who thinks that, someone who just wants something to bitch about.

Here’s what I think happened at DC, Dwayne passed away and someone thought it was a good idea to do a tribute book, end of story.

DC announces the tribute book and people start to bitch over a book that is honoring a fallen comrade. I guess I should not tell people about my plans to go to Japan and help distribute food. I’d get people blogging bad things about that.

I support DC in this effort. It’s a good idea. Here’s what I find amazing about all this, why on EARTH would DC put out a press release on a non-issue? Why apologize about something they didn’t do?

Makes you think does it not?

Made me think about this, they could put out a press release apologizing for something they did NOT do but no one can call me and ask me to contribute to a tribute book to my former partner using a character I co-created.

I had started a very nice correspondence with a really nice new person at DC Comics and then they simply stopped corresponding with me. Someone must have talked to them and told them I was bad news and to stay away from me.

I understand. I still have nothing but respect for that person but it’s stuff like THIS that makes it so easy for some people to hate DC and if you doubt me check the chat rooms, blogs and comic sites.

Here are some fun facts people damning me at DC may NOT have mentioned:

1. Someone at the very top of DC Comics FORGETS how I hooked them up right after Disney bought ABC-TV where they were working and they needed a high powered relationship to look good with their new bosses. They forget that I provided that high-powered relationship and the massive company behind them AND I still have the emails!

2. I co-created ALL the Milestone characters and yet DC continues to shun me. I have tried on a few occasions to resolve the issues between DC and me but because I don’t tow the line I’m asked out. That’s OK because as much as DC may try and ignore me they can’t ignore my contribution to DC’s history.

3. I’ve run major divisions at major entertainment companies so they may tell you I’m a loud mouth troublemaker but I’m a smart, successful loud mouth troublemaker. DC would do well to remember that when they refuse to acknowledge me and my contributions to their bottom line and their history. Oh and I’m the loud mouth troublemaker with a school auditorium named after him. I won’t even mention my PhD…doh!

Yes, I’m loud and often crass with what I’ve said in the past.

Where I’m from telling someone who constantly is pushing you, I’m the WRONG Nigga to fuck with, is not considered crass.

However, a creative company who says it respects creators but constantly acts otherwise is considered crass.

I’ve reached out on many occasions to try and resolve whatever our issues are, I offer that again.

This offer is for the last time.

I know I won’t get a call, I know I won’t get an email but I am reaching out one LAST time.

Ask the man who once worked at your company who said of me “Michael Davis is armed and not afraid to use his guns” about what happened a certain Sunday at Comic Con some time ago. Here’s the rub, I was already back in NYC when those who will not be named made that bullshit claim and yet, I still get no love nor do I get to be his friend on Facebook.

Note to that person-I’ve reached out to you on more than one occasion and have only gotten some corporate bullshit.

You may still think of me as a freelancer but I’ve been the President and CEO of more than one major division at more than one major company-I KNOW that there is ALWAYS a way around ANYTHING.

I’ll say it again, there is ALWAYS a way around anything.

You just didn’t want that way. I remember when someone called YOU a racist in print. IN PRINT, yet you managed to work with him again.

Here’s what’s really messing me up, I admired you once and thought of you as a friend. BTW- when you were called a racist I called the guy who said that and told him he was out of his fucking mind.

You are not a racist, you are one of the true greats in the industry but now I’ll be that guy you always thought I was.

BAD move on your part.

BAD MOVE.

But, (Sorry Peter) I digress.

DC can at least offer me a chance to say, ‘no’ to contribute to the tribute book.

They won’t, but think of all the bad blogs they would avoid if they did. I could name a dozen or more creative people who have had MAJOR BITCH FITS with DC and yet DC continues a relationship with them. See the above example, I mean getting called a racist in PRINT and still working with that person?

Really? REALLY?

I won’t get a call from DC for a character, I co-created the character does that mean nothing to a creative company? What a great way to reopen a strained relationship, by inviting me to contribute something to a project we both believe in.

I’ll even do it for free. I’ll sign whatever they want, but I won’t get the call.

DC-take a GOOD look at the supporting characters in Static.

Jean, Robert, Sharon are his immediate family. Care to guess the names of MY immediate family? I’ll help, my sister’s name is Sharon, my stepfather’s name was Robert, my mother’s name is Jean and my cousin’s last name is HAWKINS. Wait a sec…is not Static’s sister named SHARON? Is not his mother’s name JEAN? Is not his father’s name ROBERT? Is not his family name Hawkins??

REALLY? ??NO!

You DON’T SAY!?

Fair warning to the person trying to rewrite the history of Milestone-do NOT screw with the truth YOU were NOT there. No matter what you may think, you are NOT the fifth Beatle and you better think before you start something that will surely result in the worst public beat down since Rodney King.

Try me bitch.

Back to my favorite comic book company DC Comics and that is not a joke, I’m still a fan but I’m done being the one who keeps saying; “Let’s put whatever issues we have behind us.”

AGAIN-the comic book industry has a LONG line of people who have publicly denounced DC and somehow you find a way to work it out with them.

Racist? IN PRINT? REALLY?

It may just be me but NOT reaching out to a founding member of Milestone to contribute something to a tribute book of a character he co-created while also honoring his fallen, partner is pretty darn Tara of you.

OR-I may be wrong.

You tell me.

Lastly-I’ve given some thought to the way I react to things because someone I thought was my friend gave me some advice. The advice was for me to tone it down.

Good intentions aside, that’s not me.

THIS is who I am, THIS is how I react.

I’m living the life of MY dreams so it must be working.

Winning!