Wizard, The Michael Turner Tribute Book And The Charity Donation

[Rich Johnston]

This would have been so much easier if the Wizard message boards hadn't suddenly disappeared in a puff of illogic.

But thankfully Panels On Pages preserved the posts, so it was still quite easy.

In February news editor Brett White asked the Wizard Message Board if they would be willing to donate sketches done by Michael Turner for a new Michael Turner Tribute book. He added;

An additional note, a portion of all of the Turner Millenium Edition books will go to the Sam Loeb Foundation, set up by Jeph Loeb in his son's memory.

But then in early April Brett White was dismissed by Wizard in one of their employee purges.

However, the book was published in June, with a number of the sketches solicited from Brett.




Basically the original book with updated sketches. Hence the "Ultimate" nomenclature.

But, after board members made inquiries, it was confirmed that no donation had been made to the Sam Loeb Foundation. Questions posted on the Wizard message board, now deleted, remained unanswered.

So I got in touch with Wizard.

They told me today that, yes, something had gone wrong. Because of employee changes, communication lines had dropped and files had been lost. But after bringing this to their attention, they would indeed get in touch with the Sam Loeb Foundation, which they have worked with in the past, and make a commensurate donation.

And that they are also interested in the Foundation using Wizard World for upcoming donation drives.

It's the kind of thing that could have been avoided if there had been greater diligence regarding company message boards. But now they're gone, I guess that's no longer a problem... hmm.

Nevertheless it's admirable that Wizard stepped up immediately when this was brought to their attention.

[die-yng]

Good job, Rich.

And that's one of the reasons I prefer your site to others of the same kind.

[nilskidoo]

Rich, rock the fuck on.

[Sammy In CT]

I'll be happier when this has closure and the Fund acknowledges the payment wasn't sent in old #1/2 issues.

[Brendon Connelly]

Rich Johnston - my hero.

[_OM_]

...The only other thing that could have made this a better victory is if they'd admitted to have deliberately purging the posts, apologizing for it, and identifying who did the purging so they can be properly castrated.

[Corum]

Great job and my favourite site as well.

And I thought some of those 1/2 issues were good.

[arnoch]

Dissembling; let us count the ways.

"something had gone wrong. Because of employee changes, communication lines had dropped and files had been lost. "

what a load of rubbish. "employee changes", my eye. you mean people who were sacked, don't you Rich?

"they would indeed get in touch with the Sam Loeb Foundation" oh, would they indeed? it is certainly reasonable to be suspicious here until the donation is finally confirmed, isn't it?

"And that they are also interested in the Foundation using Wizard World". And vice versa, one assumes.

"It's the kind of thing that could have been avoided if there had been greater diligence regarding company message boards". As well as the kind of thing that can be avoided when you run a slimy organization that co-opts the "media" to cover their sliminess.

"Nevertheless it's admirable that Wizard stepped up immediately when this was brought to their attention. " Congratulations, Rich. it takes immense balls to write something so full of horrible spin.

For the record, again, Wizard hasn't stepped up to anything yet. But they will, according to Rich. Consider the source(s).

[Rich Johnston]

Dissembling; let us count the ways.

"something had gone wrong. Because of employee changes, communication lines had dropped and files had been lost. "

what a load of rubbish. "employee changes", my eye. you mean people who were sacked, don't you Rich?

Or "dismissed" as I'd written earlier in the piece that you managed to miss.

"they would indeed get in touch with the Sam Loeb Foundation" oh, would they indeed? it is certainly reasonable to be suspicious here until the donation is finally confirmed, isn't it?

No, saying something like that to me would pretty much guarantee a roasting, ridicule and mocking if it didn;t come through.

"And that they are also interested in the Foundation using Wizard World". And vice versa, one assumes.

Few people attend a convention just to give money to a charity.

"It's the kind of thing that could have been avoided if there had been greater diligence regarding company message boards". As well as the kind of thing that can be avoided when you run a slimy organization that co-opts the "media" to cover their sliminess.

I'm not co-opted. You?

"Nevertheless it's admirable that Wizard stepped up immediately when this was brought to their attention. " Congratulations, Rich. it takes immense balls to write something so full of horrible spin.

And it takes an immense cock to see spin when there is balance.

For the record, again, Wizard hasn't stepped up to anything yet. But they will, according to Rich. Consider the source(s).

They've committed to rectifying a wrong. On a Sunday morning. Replying to an email I'd sent. Yes, I'd consider that stepping up. And if they fail, then absolutely I'd report that.

And yes, according to Rich. Can I ask what I've written that would cause you to doubt me?

Check your own posts to this board and ask if I should also consider the source.

[NinjaZilla]

Stay on them Rich theres !gotta be weeks worth of articles of sludge that Wizard is (incompetently)
covering up!