Chiaroscuro fan and supporter Elizabeth Bardawill took it upon herself to write Dave a letter in hope of swaying his decision to delay writing the foreword to my book until the second volume. She met with little success and as she so eloquently put it, "Dave just tore a strip off my hide" (Re: Blog & Mail #162 February 20, 2007 if you care to read the essay).First off, thank you Elizabeth. I'm flattered you feel strongly enough about my work to go that extra mile knowing full well the likely outcome of such a letter to Mr. Sim.
I've had a few people ask me why I would even want Dave to write the foreword to my book. That's a good question. Simply put, I respect and admire his work and his dedication to self publishing drove me into this business. His influence (visually) is apparent all throughout Chiaroscuro without (I hope) seeming to come across as a blatant rip off. I can think of no one I'd feel more honoured to have speak on behalf of my book in that sense.
That doesn't mean I tow the line on many of the ideas he puts out there (and there are many). He has a right to his opinions and the freedom to speak his mind in this country and he chooses to do so in a very lengthy and well documented fashion in Cerebus and on his Blog.
I realised a long time ago that getting into a debate with him would be a loosing battle. You will not convince him contrary to his well established beliefs no matter what evidence you present.
But thanks for trying Elizabeth, I appreciate the gesture.
