I think I understand some of the anger/ resentment about your leaving the X-Men. I'm sure this has occurred to you that it actually is a big uncomfortable compliment. The book was simply so good to so many readers that it became like a fix that nothing else could satisfy. We knew (deep down) that it would never be that good again. The worst part is that the book was getting BETTER. I actually dreamed Byrne drawn X-Men stories that didn't exist repeatedly (and for years). Now, I was a kid, so I have no trouble admitting that my reaction to your leaving was immature, but older readers, who were just as addicted, have a harder time regaining perspective. One day the future was full of Byrne drawn X-Men stories , and the next...

And to that point, part of the pricelessness of your work was the silent characterization that your pencil produced- facial expressions, reactions, gestures, that no one else could match. A certain level of depth was gone, never to return. The anger represented cravings. Not rational, but true, in my opinion.

Many years ago, my wife and I went to our favorite restaurant to order our favorite dish, one that was unique  and unmatched anywhere in our area. It was removed from the menu. No one could tell us why. They were actually known for the dish. It was simply gone. I'm sure the other food was great, but we stopped going there. For years we would get a craving for that dish, and it would make me mad that such a great thing simply didn't exist anymore. 

 

So, JB, my compliments to the chef, and no hard feelings;)

Which is not to say that I don't admire that run or Chris Claremont's writing in general. 

Around the time I started collecting comics, Claremont/JR Jr were the team on Uncanny and I loved those comics. After a while, I came to recognise that the run by JB and CC and TA was superior.

Claremont has a very distinct, idiosyncratic voice. It was, no doubt, one of the things that attracted people in droves to the title. At length, I find it becomes a little overpowering at times.

-C!