Summary of #Comicsgate | How to Kill a Movement

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00:00:00 - 01:00:00

The video "# Comicsgate | How to Kill a Movement" explores the rise and fall of the Comicsgate movement, focusing on key figures like Ethan Van Sciver and the evolution from critiquing the comic industry to a profit-driven approach. It highlights how charismatic individuals can steer movements off course, leading to internal power struggles, toxic behavior, and delays in fulfilling promises to backers. The shift towards commercial interests, conflicts over political themes, and manipulative tactics ultimately contributed to the downfall of Comicsgate, demonstrating the importance of staying true to the original goals and avoiding internal strife for movements to maintain impact and relevance.

00:00:00 In this section, it is discussed how movements can be effectively killed by introducing charismatic individuals who do not truly care about the cause. The example of gamergate is given as a movement that was hijacked by "cultureal War grifters" for personal gain, leaving little impact in the end. Similarly, Comicsgate, a movement that criticized the American comic industry, was led by charismatic figures like Ethan Van Sciver who brought attention to the issues but struggled for legitimacy due to being perceived as outsiders by the industry. The movement's focus on critiquing the industry's flaws, while attracting attention, ultimately lacked lasting impact in the world of comics.
00:05:00 In this section, the video discusses the entry of Uncle Ethan Van Sciver into Comicsgate and questions whether his involvement was due to political differences with DC Comics or a strategic move to capitalize on the movement's popularity. Despite being a divisive figure, Uncle Ethan's influence and connections within the industry boosted Comicsgate's visibility, attracting other professionals like Richard Meyer and John Malin to join the movement. The shift towards crowdfunding comic books marked a turning point for Comicsgate, transforming it from a consumer revolt to a commercial brand driven by financial incentives rather than pure passion for the medium.
00:10:00 In this section, the speaker criticizes Comicsgate for transitioning from a grassroots movement to a brand controlled by a few key figures, particularly focusing on Ethan Van Sciver. The excerpt highlights how Van Sciver's growing influence led to allegations of gatekeeping and a cult of personality within Comicsgate, driving away dissenting voices like Captain Cummings. The segment also touches on a pivotal episode involving Vox Day, illustrating how internal power struggles and drama ultimately led to the downfall of Comicsgate despite its initial promise and success.
00:15:00 In this section, the speaker discusses how Vox Day tried to capitalize on the growing Comicsgate movement with his alt hero comic, only to face setbacks like the shutdown of his Indiegogo campaign and a trademark dispute over the Comicsgate name. Despite Vox Day's attempts to use Comicsgate for his own gain, Ethan successfully pushed back against him, ultimately leading to Vox Day leaving the movement and rebranding his imprint. Ethan's actions were seen as successfully preventing Vox Day from co-opting Comicsgate for his own purposes.
00:20:00 In this section, the video explores the controversies within the Comicsgate movement, focusing on interactions between key players like Ethan Van Sciver and Tim Lim. Despite initially being a supporter, Tim Lim's confrontation with Ethan during a stream in 2018 over supposed lies led to Ethan apologizing and bending the knee. Ethan's gatekeeping tendencies came to light as he clashed with Tim over political themes in comics, showcasing a struggle between maintaining neutrality and political affiliations within Comicsgate. This interaction highlighted the power dynamics and tensions within the movement, ultimately revealing underlying conflicts and power struggles.
00:25:00 In this section, it is revealed that Ethan Van Sciver utilized a group called War Campaign, consisting of fans on the fringes of Comicsgate, to engage in psychological warfare against those they perceived as threats to the movement. Led by a member named Ro, War Campaign vehemently supported Ethan and would target critics or those deemed not loyal enough to Ethan. This tactic was successful in driving away Tim Lim and another affiliate named Nerkish, who was not fully aligned with Comicsgate but was still targeted by War Campaign for being critical of Ethan. Nerkish was particularly ousted due to content on his Discord server that was deemed too extreme by Ethan, showcasing the toxic and aggressive nature of this corner of the Comicsgate community.
00:30:00 In this section, the speaker discusses how certain individuals within the Comicsgate movement allegedly orchestrated a plan to dox a member named Nerkish, in an effort to link him and the movement to far-right ideologies. The speaker implies that Ethan Van Sciver may have had a hand in this scheme, suggesting that he controlled the narrative to portray Comicsgate as a movement filled with extremists. As tensions rose within the group, key members like Tim Lim departed to focus on their own projects, leading to a split in the community as the original concept of Comicsgate as a consumer-driven movement began to erode.
00:35:00 In this section, the focus shifts to how Comicsgate has transformed from a movement focused on critiquing the comic industry and holding professionals accountable to one centered around crowdfunding campaigns and making money, particularly under the influence of Ethan Van Sciver. This change has led to allegations of hierarchical gatekeeping and internal politics reminiscent of the industry they once criticized, with dissenters finding themselves at odds with Van Sciver and his supporters. The excerpt delves into the controversy surrounding Richard C. Meyer, known as your boy Zack, and his legal battle with Mark Wade over the publication of his book, shedding light on the turmoil and shifts within Comicsgate as it navigates these challenges.
00:40:00 In this section, the speaker discusses how the late fulfillment of books within Comicsgate became a major issue from a business standpoint. Many creators associated with Comicsgate, including the prominent Ethan Van Sciver, experienced significant delays in delivering their promised books to backers, some taking years longer than expected. The speaker also highlights a specific case involving Mitch and Elizabeth Breitweiser, who diverted funds meant for fulfilling Red Rooster Golden Age to start a new comic company called Allegiance Arts, striking a deal with Walmart before delivering the promised books to backers. This delay and misuse of funds exemplify the challenges faced within the Comicsgate movement regarding fulfilling promised projects in a timely and honest manner.
00:45:00 In this section, the analysis discusses how the Breitweisers, key figures in Comicsgate, faced backlash for delays in delivering promised books to backers. Despite this, Ethan Van Sciver (EVS) sought to collaborate with Dynamite Entertainment to produce limited edition variant covers for Vampirella, showcasing his desire to establish mainstream connections. Criticism arose over potential conflicts of interest in aligning with established comic companies, signaling a shift from Comicsgate's original focus on critiquing the industry to a more profit-driven approach. EVS's actions, such as targeting edgy individuals in Comicsgate and orchestrating attacks on others like Mike S Miller, were seen as prioritizing financial gain over consumer advocacy.
00:50:00 In this excerpt, the speaker discusses various tactics used by members of the Comicsgate movement to coerce and manipulate others, such as spamming images of dildos and demanding mass backer refunds. The focus is on the impact of money on behavior within the movement, with instances of creators leaving due to disagreements and conflicts, particularly citing the influence of War Campaign and Ethan Van Sciver. The excerpt also highlights instances of industry figures like Doug TenNapel clashing with Comicsgate and facing backlash, ultimately leading to their departure from the movement.
00:55:00 In this section, the disintegration of the Comicsgate movement is explored through the breakdown of relationships within its core figures, particularly focusing on the fallout between Ethan Van Sciver and Doug TenNapel. Allegations of plotting, paranoia, and drama within the movement led to a divisive atmosphere that deterred from the initial goals of critiquing the mainstream comics industry and creating and selling independent comics. The escalation of conflicts, egos, and internal strife diluted the movement's original intent, resulting in a decline in growth and a shift towards infighting rather than productive engagement with the industry. The advice given is to step away from the drama and maintain focus on the original purpose of creating and selling comics.

01:00:00 - 02:00:00

The video "#Comicsgate | How to Kill a Movement" explores the struggles and controversies within the Comicsgate movement, shedding light on various incidents involving key figures like Ethan Van Sciver, Richard C. Meyer, and other creators. The video examines issues such as false advertising, crowdfunding delays, internal rivalries, partnership failures, and attacks within the comic book community. It highlights how these conflicts have led to a decline in the movement's credibility, raising questions about its future viability and success in the comic book industry.

01:00:00 In this section, the video highlights the problems within the Comicsgate movement, focusing on individuals who criticized Ethan Van Sciver for his Ribbit coin Scandal. Thomas Roy Loop and Vicky Verse exposed Ethan for falsely advertising the coins as 99.9% silver when they were actually regular copper and nickel coins with a paper frog design. Ethan responded aggressively, threatening legal action against those accusing him of fraud, although Vicky had only presented evidence of misinformation in his campaign. Furthermore, Ethan's handling of refunds required customers to personally request them, potentially compromising their privacy. The scandal sheds light on Ethan's lack of understanding of the products he sells, ultimately leaving room for criticism and questioning his credibility within the movement.
01:05:00 In this section, the video discusses how Dynamite's collaboration with Comicsgate came to an end, starting in July 2020 when a Dynamite cover drawn by Donald DeLay for Cecil led to backlash on Twitter, prompting Dynamite to issue a public apology and sever ties with Comicsgate. This incident made Ethan Van Sciver realize that Comicsgate's hopes of achieving mainstream success were likely fantasy, leading him to reflect on his efforts to keep the movement politically neutral and his frustrations with different factions within Comicsgate. The unraveling of the partnership with Dynamite highlighted the challenges Comicsgate faced in gaining wider acceptance and distribution, ultimately raising questions about the movement's future.
01:10:00 In this section, the turbulence within the Comicsgate movement is highlighted, focusing on the fallout from various controversies and conflicts involving key figures like Ethan Van Sciver and Ro Kabir. The excerpt delves into the complexities of alliances and rivalries within the movement, particularly the impact of the Dynamite Comics collaboration and the subsequent turmoil that ensued. It also discusses the significance of Richard C. Meyer dropping his lawsuit against Mark Wade, symbolizing a defeat for Comicsgate in its ongoing battle against industry gatekeeping and social justice warrior influences. Despite the internal struggles and setbacks faced by Comicsgate, the excerpt portrays a community grappling with internal strife and external challenges as it navigates its identity and future in the comic book industry.
01:15:00 In this section, the video discusses how Ethan's successful crowdfunding campaign for Cyberfrog 2 dealt a blow to Comicgate's morale, despite funding being down for other CG books. The criticism revolves around creators launching campaigns before completing their books, leading to constant delays and unmet deadlines. The video contrasts this with Tim Lim and Mark Pellegrini, who consistently deliver on time, highlighting Eric July as an example of punctual delivery in the indie comic scene. Ethan, criticized for being late with Cyberfrog Blood Honey, is predicted to keep backers waiting until 2023 for Cyberfrog 2, with the video attributing the delays to his lack of work ethic and busy schedule with other activities.
01:20:00 In this section, the excerpt explains how a YouTuber named Ripple, also known as Young Ripper, entered the comic book industry by creating his own comic universe that garnered over $1.7 million in sales. Despite his success, he faced backlash from envious individuals, including Dick Masterson and his co-host Veto Galdi, who criticized Young Ripper for pandering to an anti-woke audience. Veto, in particular, was portrayed as jealous of Young Ripper's success and accused of being a talentless clout chaser who aspired to be a comic creator himself. The excerpt highlights the tensions and rivalries within the comic book community, with some attributing Young Ripper's success to his appeal to an anti-woke audience rather than his writing talent.
01:25:00 In this section, the summary focuses on how Vito Galdi's jealousy of Eric July's success led to a one-sided feud with young Ripper. Despite Vito's attempts to gain attention for his own comic through trolling tactics, he ultimately got his comic funded but failed to drum up significant interest. The section also highlights a back-and-forth interaction between Vito and Dick Masterson regarding Eric July's comic, with Vito's jealousy driving his actions even as his tactics did not yield the desired attention. The summary ends by emphasizing that young Ripper, unlike Vito, was not a concern for Dick, who did not engage in the drama despite Vito's envy-fueled attempts to gain recognition.
01:30:00 In this section, the video discusses how a reviewer's biased intentions in critiquing a comic were not about the comic's quality, but rather to mock a fellow content creator. The narrative misconstrues the reason for the community's issues, arguing that mocking a specific comic was not the primary cause. It delves into the interactions between content creators, highlighting a producer's extreme actions and failed attempts to attack a fellow creator, ultimately resulting in unintended consequences due to mishandled DMCA actions.
01:35:00 In this section, it is explained that the claims made by Dick and his followers about Riley being targeted due to Eric July are debunked, as Riley's actions, like violating Twitter's terms of service and infringing on trademarks, led to consequences such as his Twitter account and Teespring store being taken down. The narrative of Eric committing charity fraud was also addressed, with the efforts to paint him in a negative light being based on misconceptions. Additionally, Riley's invasive actions towards Eric's property are discussed, highlighting the unwarranted harassment he faced. The tendency for Dick and his community to unjustly attack Eric is depicted, despite Eric maintaining a reasonable demeanor throughout the ordeal.
01:40:00 In this section, a new attack on Eric July came from a random fan named an obtuse gnome who claimed that Eric was infringing on the trademark of the International School of Ministry. The claim escalated to a lawsuit, which some speculated was fueled by jealousy towards Eric's successful comic book endeavors. Additionally, there were reports of disrespectful actions towards Eric's great-grandfather's tombstone, although it was later revealed that another individual had already done so. Despite disapproval of these actions, Ethan Van Sciver maintained a friendly relationship with those involved, leading to tensions within the Comicsgate community. Misunderstandings between Eric and Ethan were exposed through leaked DMs, further intensifying the situation.
01:45:00 In this section, it is discussed how Ethan Van Sciver's attempt to target Eric July, a prominent figure outside of Comicsgate, backfired due to differences in audience size and priorities. Ethan's feud with Eric became a content source for him and his followers, while Eric focused on his business and saw successes without actively engaging in drama. Despite attempts to provoke Eric, including a public disturbance at a fan meetup, Eric remained composed and ultimately saw his enemies concede, highlighting the effectiveness of his strategy to ignore distractions and stay focused on his goals. Ethan's actions only served to fuel the conflict and distract from the original goals of the Comicsgate movement.
01:50:00 In this section, the speaker delves into the personal struggles of Ethan Van Sciver and Richard C. Meyer, the key figures in the Comicsgate movement. Van Sciver is portrayed as dealing with a decline in recognition and possibly engaging in self-destructive behavior, while Meyer's channel is said to be suffering due to his fixation on attacking critics of the "Furiosa" film. The analysis suggests that Meyer lacks self-awareness and has become embroiled in internet drama, mirroring Van Sciver's situation and marking a downfall of the movement's prominent leaders.
01:55:00 In this section, the speaker criticizes the delays and mismanagement surrounding the release of comic books within the Comicsgate movement, particularly focusing on Ethan Van Sciver's struggles to deliver Cyberfrog 3 on time. The narrative delves into the evolution of Comicsgate into a "disgrace" due to issues like non-existent customer service, endless drama, and failure to deliver products punctually, which has led to the movement's decline in the face of superior indie comic competitors. The speaker questions Comicsgate's future viability and highlights how its misuse of crowdfunding has left backers disillusioned and hesitant to support new projects. Ultimately, the segment paints a picture of Comicsgate as a once-promising movement that has faltered due to internal conflicts and mismanagement.

02:00:00 - 02:05:00

The video delves into criticizing comic creator Veto for alleged laziness, misleading backers, and poor conflict resolution skills, leading to delays in fulfilling backer rewards and reflecting negatively on the Comicsgate movement. The authenticity of confrontations and drama within the community is questioned, with a specific example of a tense exchange between Veto and another individual named Riley highlighted. Additionally, personal conflicts within the Comicsgate community are discussed, such as a fan gifting a cow to Dick Masterson, who refuses to acknowledge the fan due to past conflicts, showcasing the intertwined personal dynamics affecting the movement.