Alterna Comics Accused of Supporting White Supremacy Due to Neutral ComicsGate Stance
Spencer Baculi
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Independent comic book publisher Alterna Comics is again facing accusations of racism and hate due to their neutral stance regarding the comic book consumer movement known as ComicsGate.
On January 12th, in response to a tweet accusing ComicsGate supporters of not caring about their local comic book stores, user @JacksonStarship countered the accusation by asking what role events such as the prevention of Alterna Comics being stocked due to false accusations had in contributing to the upward trend of comic book store front closures:
Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that whenever these independent Comics try to get in the comic shops left-wing scumbags bully shops into not carrying those books? I mean did you not see what happened to @ALTERNACOMICS ? Are you kidding me
— jackson Starship (@JacksonStarship) January 13, 2019
Responding to @JacksonStarship, another comic book fan, John-Paul Atley, was quick to condemn Alterna Comics for supposedly supporting white supremacy:
Don’t support white supremacists and your publishing company won’t be blacklisted. Anyone that works with Alterna is going to be looked at suspectly now, as it’s a publisher that trades in the alt right.
— John-Paul Atley (@jpatley) January 13, 2019
Atley’s tweet elicited an outpouring of support and defense by Alterna Comics fans and creators, with many questioning Atley’s accusation and asking for proof or clarification:
I disagree with you regarding Alterna. Peter didn’t support anyone. He’s not even comicsgate. All he did was say thank you when someone gave his publications a shoutout. People started telling him it’s not acceptable to show “them” any appreciation.
— The Skullman (@davariusjessup) January 14, 2019
I’ve been subscribed to @ALTERNACOMICS for a year now. I havent run into any white supremacist or alt right since I started reading their comics, weird?
It is strange though. I’m Black, Peter’s Asian & the privileged white guy here is pushing blacklisting & fascist behavior… pic.twitter.com/BboBpTsMCw
— GTMedia Reviews (@jemalistrash) January 13, 2019
I’m a creator at Alterna. I’m a democrat and my comic is basically stupid poop and fart jokes. The only thing people should suspect me of is not taking anything too seriously.
— Wes Locher (@weslocher) January 14, 2019
Can you give me an example of someone that produces something for Alterna that is part of the alt-right or puts forth alt-right ideology? I would like to see this so I can make an informed decision about where I spend my money or who I associate with.
— Sai-fon (@LastSnowLeopard) January 13, 2019
So, being CG now is the same as alt-right? Even if I buy an Alterna comic? Color me surprised, but seems like you guys make a habit of ignoring all the supposed minorities you whiteknight for if they not in your camp. Cuz “muh opfreshiv narrativ” won’t fly well with us around.
— ѦΛЄKCѦHДѦP Ѻ.Ѻ. СКѺBPѦHѺB (@Skovranov) January 13, 2019
When asked by another fan why Atley believes Alterna Comics got “themselves into this mess”, Atley states that the fact that Alterna Comics attempted to publish a Comicsgate affiliated comic book without naming the actual comic:
Does it support comicsgate or not? No one forced them to try and publish a comicsgate book. No one forced them to prevent their freelancers from blocking comicsgate harassers. Alterna raised these questions itself, and has refused to answer since. They probably like the money.
— John-Paul Atley (@jpatley) January 14, 2019
It’s more than likely Atley believes Alterna Comics attempted to publish Richard Meyer’s Jawbreakers. Jawbreakers was never an Alterna Comics title. The publisher who had initially agreed to publish the book was Antarctic Press, before they received outside pressure from Mark Waid.
Furthermore, Alterna Comics founder and publisher Peter Simeti has regularly stated that he does not subscribe to any particular movement, specifically ComicsGate, and made it it known that his main concerns regarding the comic book industry are the enjoyment and satisfaction of comic book fans worldwide:
I’ve never been a part of any “movements” in my life. It doesn’t mean folks haven’t clumped me into them though, when they thought it would benefit their own agenda. I do appreciate the massive amounts of CG folks that 100% respect my stance. It’s been nice, honestly.
— Peter Simeti (@petersimeti) October 11, 2018
At Alterna, we are proud to have readers and creators of all walks of life, from all over the world.
We will always thank readers, especially, for their patronage to their local comic shops, bookstores, and newsstands.
Thank you for enjoying and supporting our comics.
— Alterna Comics (@ALTERNACOMICS) August 28, 2018
A few hours after Atley’s tweets, Simeti directly reached out to Atley to offer his assistance in resolving Atley’s issues with Alterna:
Hi John-Paul!
How can I help you today? https://t.co/Q2FZS9L2w5— Peter Simeti (@petersimeti) January 13, 2019
Sure thing.
But first… you’re accusing me, my company, and our creators of viciously disgusting things that have caused all of us a lot of pain and turmoil.
An apology would be great.
Thanks! https://t.co/UItU76Vgu2— Peter Simeti (@petersimeti) January 13, 2019
The original tweet containing Atley’s personal information has since been deleted. Despite Atley’s claims of doxing and harassment, the information posted was publicly available through Atley’s own pages such as his Linkedin page or personal website.
Following these interactions, Atley tweeted a hyperbolic statement (which he then pinned to his account) accusing the fans who responded to his accusation against Simeti and Alterna Comics of being proof that ComicsGate is a hate group:
Yesterday I called #comicsgate a hate group. Less than 24 hours later hundreds of people spammed me. My personal info was shared. My emails hacked. My work attacked here and through phone calls to my office. Way to prove me wrong guys.#ThisIsComicsgate #theresyourproofassholes
— John-Paul Atley (@jpatley) January 14, 2019
The false narrative being spun by Atley prompted Simeti to again respond in order to clarify the truth:
I’m a minority and you’ve been non-stop harassing me now for nearly 14 hours trying to get my business shut down.
You’ve accused me of being a white supremacist among other things.
You’ve become what you hate and I hope that you get the help you so desperately need. https://t.co/VOg2QYATQd
— Peter Simeti (@petersimeti) January 14, 2019
Do you even know what a hate group looks like?
I do. I’ve been in actual fights with racists that wanted me to “go back to China”.
Racists look a lot like yourself, John-Paul. They think they are righteous and virtuous.
They are not.
*You* are not. https://t.co/RT8zRG8eg4
— Peter Simeti (@petersimeti) January 14, 2019
Accusing people of supporting hatred, bigotry, or intolerance while subsequently shaming or deplatforming them due to their perceived or assumed connections and beliefs has seen a recent rise in the comic industry. Richard C. Meyer, author of Jawbreakers, has been accused of being a member of the Alt-Right due to coincidentally being in Charlottesville during the infamous “Unite the Right Rally.” Gail Simone recently accused Nexus and Badger author Michael B Baron of being a ComicsGate supporter and attempted to shame Baron due to her false assumption of his personal opinions.
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