AICN Comics

AICN Comics is the name given to reviews and coverage of comic books published on the website Ain't It Cool News. Although other groups have contributed reviews, the name has become synonymous with the @$$Holes, a group of pseudonym-using reviewers renowned for their outspoken and often humorous reviews.

General

AICN Comics is typefied by off-the-cuff, honest and "voice-of-the-people" style reviews. All the reviewers are fans who post on Ain't It Cool News and other websites. Although the @$$Holes' uncompromising reviewing style has attracted criticism from some devoted fans of comic book writers who have received negative and mixed reviews in the column, they have become a popular and well known voice in the industry, being quoted in many trade paperback or hardcover collections of comics and press releases and websites [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=114750] [http://blog.newsarama.com/2006/10/20/civil-discourse/] and receiving praise and attention from industry professionals such as Gail Simone [http://www.aintitcool.com/node/13572] , Geoff Johns, Brian Michael Bendis [http://www.aintitcool.com/?q=node/16459] Warren Ellis [http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=%204124] and Dan Slott [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=28859&page=2&highlight=Dan_Slott] [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?p=1420515#post1420515] . One contributor was even invited to appear on G4TV's "Attack of the Show" programme as a dissenting voice on Marvel Comics' unmasking of Spider-Man. [http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=23725] [http://www.marvel.com/blogs/spideyoffice/entry/84] Regular features of the AICN Comics column include a humorous title logo, often a spoof of a comic book cover or image, weekly reviews, including manga, indie and webcomics, previews and contests, "Roundtable" discussions on significant comics or events [http://blog.newsarama.com/index.php?s=civil+discourse.] , "Q&@"s with comic book professionals who have included Dan Slott [http://www.aintitcool.com/?q=node/24120] , Brian K. Vaughan [http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=17832] , Brian Michael Bendis [http://www.aintitcool.com/?q=node/16459] and AiT/Planet Lar's Larry Young [http://www.ait-planetlar.com/2007/07/aint-it-cool-news-has-pretty-extensive.shtml] , reviews of film adaptations of comics by Schleppy, the @$$hole mascot monkey, "Tales from the Crevice" - articles about forgotten or little-known comics, @$$hole Christmas lists and a yearly awards ceremony called the "@$$ies", timed to coincide with Oscar week, in which the @$$holes pick the best comics of the year. [http://blog.newsarama.com/index.php?s=aicn%27s+@%24%24ie+awards]

Origins

The original "Talkback League of @$$holes", initially known as the "Screaming Retinas", was a group of friends who posted on the Ain't It Cool News message boards, better known as "talkbacks". The name was coined after the website's founder Harry Knowles posted a review of "Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back" lambasting so-called "talkback assholes" - rude and uninformed users. [http://www.aintitcool.com/node/9470] The comic book coverage at the time was provided by "GrayHaven" magazine, who were only allowed to give positive reviews and could not swear for fear of not being quoted by comics publishers. Expressing frustration at these rules, which were contrary to the general tone of coverage on Ain't It Cool, "the Comedian" sent a review of "X-Force" #126 to Drew "Moriarty" McWeeny, an editor of the website, which was published on April 12, 2002. [http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=11981] In that column's talkbacks the original League decided to form their own reviewing group and submit reviews. Their first column was posted on May 3 2002 [http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=12160] and has appeared regularly since, their name gradually being abbreviated to the @$$holes.

Manifesto

"We're @$$Holes, not assholes. We tell reviews off the cuff and straight from the heart. We won't be bribed and will always give our honest opinions. Sometimes we say things that offend, contradict, and challenge others' opinions, but usually the truth hurts and that's why some call us @$$Holes. Our reviews don't come from a mean place spawned from jealousy or arrogance (people who do that are assholes). Our reviews come from a deep-seeded sic love for comics and a desire to see comics, the characters in them, and the people making them improve the medium for all to enjoy. We hope our little weekly review column can somehow speak to the masses so all of us can enjoy the comics we read more. We try to provide a vast assortment of reviews to embrace all aspects of comics (a la manga, indie, webcomics) and push the medium forward... we are The League of @$$Holes." [http://www.comicspace.com/aicn_comics/] [http://www.aintitcool.com/talkback_display/22492#comment_1091723]

Controversy

Soon after the @$$holes inception, Andrew, the head of the GrayHaven reviewers, reacting to supposed criticism of his reviewers, posted a diatribe calling the League "a yeast infection on the industry". [http://www.aintitcool.com/node/12366] Following this, GrayHaven's reviews gradually stopped appearing on the site and the @$$holes became the only source for comics coverage. The @$$holes' credo always to give direct and honest opinions of the comics they read has led to criticism from devoted fans of comic book writers, particularly likers of Brian Michael Bendis who has received many negative and mixed reviews (although numerous positive reviews have also appeared), a rarity among internet review sites.

Contributors

The full original membership was:

* Ambush Bug [http://www.comicspace.com/ambush_bug/]
* Buzz Maverik
* The Comedian
* Cormorant (later Dave_F)
* Jon Quixote
* Lizzybeth
* Sleazy G
* superninja
* Village Idiot
* Vroom Socko [http://www.comicspace.com/vroom_socko/]

Links

* [http://www.aintitcool.com/ Ain't It Cool News - comics coverage appears in bottom left corner]
* [http://www.comicspace.com/aicn_comics/ @$$holes official page at ComicSpace]
* [http://www.aintitcool.com/node/30369/ Roundtable on Marvel Comics]
* [http://www.aintitcool.com/node/30787/ Roundtable on DC Comics]
* [http://www.aintitcool.com/node/31714/ The 2007 @$$ies]
* [http://www.comicpants.com/ ComicPants.com ("sister" site)]