UPDATE: Alterna Comics founder and publisher Peter Simeti has issued a response via Twitter in which he denounced Micah Myers’ allegation that he was removed from one of the publisher’s books for failure to adhere to the company’s social media policy.
Comic book letterer Micah Myers has revealed he was removed from a book by Alterna Comics for apparently not meeting the terms of the company’s updated social media policy.
It was recently revealed the independent comic book publisher had a new code of conduct agreement forbidding its creators from using block chain applications on social media platforms, and seeing as Myers was using such tools, he was “forced off” a book by the company.
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Myers posted about the incident on his personal Facebook account after Alterna’s new policy began to come under fire from creators and the general public. He divulged that the company’s founder, Peter Simeti, told the writer of the unnamed book Myers was working on that the book could be canceled if Myers continued blocking a potential audience.
“I need to get something off my chest. A few weeks back, I was forced off a book that I was lettering for Alterna when Peter Simetti (sic) told the writer that I had to unblock Comicsgate members or the book may be in danger of cancelation,” he wrote on Facebook. “I did this quietly and without hesitation. I was not going to put the writer’s and the artist’s book in danger and I wasn’t going to let these people back into my Twitter. I blocked all the followers of D&C and a few others because I don’t want that hate in my life. I have enough crap floating around my head to put me in a bad mood I don’t need anything else.”
“Now in the last few days, a lot of things have been happening with Alterna, and I remained silent. Even when Peter was subtweeting about my story a few days back and making me out to be the bad guy,” he continued. “So for my own mental health, I want to get this out there and move on. Also to help my mental health, I am adding a few more blocks.”
We have a blockbot policy. Creators can block on an individual case by case basis but “blind blocking” often catches unknowing people in the cross-fire. Our goal is to get our comics to as many people as possible. Blockbots are not a part of that goal. One letterer violated that.
— peter simeti loves comics (@petersimeti) August 28, 2018
Block chains or bots are a function of Twitter and other social media services that allow users to block accounts en masse with minimal effort and based on related followers, relevant hashtags or keywords. Comic book creators and other social media users typically employ them to curb harassment from online agitators, but the new code of conduct from Alterna strictly prohibits such use. However, many have been employing the tools as of late to block the #Comicsgate movement, famous for attacking creators who stand for diversity in the industry.
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Alterna’s decision has been seen as a move that forces creators to be subjected to such harassment once more, infringing on their right to customize their online audience. The code of conduct update is also considered by some to be unnecessarily intrusive and an example of Alterna putting monetary gains over the safety and sanity of its creators — as Myers has affirmed in his statement — with many now considering Simeti’s handling of the situation as borderline victimization.
Founded in 2008, Alterna is known for such miniseries as Lillith Dark, The Chair and Mr. Crypt. Myers has already worked with the publisher on IF Anthology 2017 and 2015’s Jorund #1, adding to his work with companies like Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics.