HBO’s Real Time host Bill Maher went on a tirade against comic book fans on his most recent show. Maher’s rant comes after a significant backlash following his comments after Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee passed away.
Maher wrote on his blog back in November:
“Someone on Reddit posted, ‘I’m so incredibly grateful I lived in a world that included Stan Lee.’ Personally, I’m grateful I lived in a world that included oxygen and trees, but to each his own.”
He would go on to point out that “comics were for kids, and when you grew up you moved on to big-boy books without the pictures.”
Finally, he would conclude his post by mentioning Donald Trump, “I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to suggest that Donald Trump could only get elected in a country that thinks comic books are important.”
Maher would then double down on his thoughts about comic books and the people who read them on his latest show, where he claims, “I posted a blog that in no way was an attack on Mr. Lee, but took the occasion of his death to express my dismay at people who think comic books are literature and superhero movies are great cinema and who, in general, are stuck in an everlasting childhood.”
He would insult comic book fans on a number of occasions.
“You can, if you want, like the exact same things you liked when you were ten but if you do, you need to grow up. That was the point of my blog. I’m not glad Stan Lee is dead, I’m sad you’re alive.”
Maher even fired back at famed comic book fan and creator Kevin Smith. Smith had previously called Maher out saying he was “taking a shot when no shots are f****** necessary.”
Maher responded while showing a photo of Kevin Smith in one of his hockey jerseys.
“My shot wasn’t at Stan Lee. It was at, you know, grown men who still dress like kids.”
Apparently Maher has never been to a hockey game.
Maher did make a decent point about many of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and how Disney and Marvel have a similar formula for many of their movies, a formula that DC and Warner Bros. appear to be adapting with Wonder Woman and Aquaman.
“Can we stop pretending that the writing in comic books is so good? Oh please! Every superhero movie is the same thing — a person who doesn’t have powers, gets them, has to figure out how they work, and then has to find a glowy thing. Justice League, glowy thing. Iron Man, glowy thing. Spider-Man, glowy thing. Captain America, glowy thing. Glowy thing, glowy thing, glowy thing!”
He would conclude his rant stating, “I’m sorry, but if you’re an adult playing with superhero dolls, I’m sorry – I mean collectible action figures – why not go all the way and drive to work on a Big Wheel?”
But Maher’s most ironic comment came as he was trying to point out comic book fans’ irony.
“By the way, if someone says you’re being childish and you react by throwing a tantrum, you’re not Iron Man — you’re Irony Man.”
Bill should look in the mirror, he just threw a five minute temper tantrum. Maybe we should get the little baby a pacifier?
What do you make of Maher’s rant? Do you think he was completely out of line or did some of his rant hit home and make sense?