Mitch and Bettie Breitweiser Cancel Upcoming Appearance at Lakes International Comic Art Festival
Bettie Breitweiser took to Twitter yesterday to announce she and husband Mitch Breitweiser are canceling their upcoming appearance at Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Bettie cited they are canceling their upcoming appearance due to concerns over their personal safety.
Due to concerns over our personal safety, @mbreitweiser and I have canceled our upcoming appearance at Lakes International Comic Art Festival. The show is going be awesome and we are sad to miss it. Be excellent to each other. pic.twitter.com/i97P70IVgd
— Elizabeth Breitweiser (@bettieb) August 29, 2018
Bettie also noted they were excited to meet a number of their fans and colleagues.
Thank you, Ellie. Mitch and I were hoping we’d get a chance to hang out with you and @AlanHurleyArt! It’s all really unfortunate, but I love this industry and have faith things will get better.
— Elizabeth Breitweiser (@bettieb) August 30, 2018
Mitch also praised the event and everyone associated with it.
Everyone affiliated with the show has been wonderful and welcoming and professional. Seriously great. We do hope to see every one of you at future shows. Be well.
— ?? M I T C H ?? (@mbreitweiser) August 29, 2018
However, Vertigo Comics artist Richard Pace attempted to justify the Breitweisers exiting the Convention.
First, he decided to insinuate that the Breitweisers were participants in a “hate group.” He also said they were “profiting from the association while getting no public blowback.”
Am I on board with people identifying with a hate group and profiting from the association while getting no public blowback from it? Not really.
Am I on board with people pointing that out. That’s fine.
Not at all on board with threats of any sort. None were made there
— Richard Pace (@rpace) August 30, 2018
After demonizing the Breitweisers, he then justifies potential threats against them because he believes they are associated with a “hate group.”
Well, if the Brietweisers are now anticipating something similar to the harassment and video attacks I’ve experienced, I have some empathy for them, but they chose to align with a hate group. I chose to oppose one. There’s a cost for our actions
— Richard Pace (@rpace) August 30, 2018
However, a number of comic book professionals would show their support for the Breitweisers including those who have called for violence and incivility in the past.
Mags Visaggio appears to have turned a corner in wishing safety on the Breitweisers:
Well-wishes to @bettieb and @mbreitweiser; whatever our disagreements, there is no reason you should be forced to fear for your safety at conventions. As someone who has been there, and knows how scary it can be, stay safe.
— Magdalene Visaggio (@MagsVisaggs) August 30, 2018
I’ve needed security at two conventions. I do not, under any circumstances, condone threats. This is comic books, people. Cool your shit.
— Magdalene Visaggio (@MagsVisaggs) August 30, 2018
Bettie thanked Mags and empathized with her own security situation.
Safety in and around doing our jobs should be a non-negotiable. Be well.
— Magdalene Visaggio (@MagsVisaggs) August 30, 2018
Ron Marz who has called for incivility in the past also stated the Breitweisers should not have to deal with threats or violence.
Just became aware the Breitweisers canceled a con appearance over safety concerns. Whatever side of the issue you’re on, that’s not cool. No one should have to put up with threats or violence.
— Ron Marz (@ronmarz) August 30, 2018
Threats at conventions are very real as Jeremy Hambly a.k.a. The Quartering knows full well. Hambly was the victim of an assault while he was attending Gen Con this year.
DC Comics writer Tom King also had a bodyguard while he was attending San Diego Comic-Con.
These threats should be taken seriously as violence is a real possibility in the world today.
We reached out to Mitch Breitweiser for comment, but did not hear back at the time of print.
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