Mr Mackie with all due respect, I don't think any (provided its not personal) criticisim is uncalled for at this point.  

His work does seem like elaborate fan fiction. I can't see how anybody can take Spider-Man that far from the source.  I mean Spidey stabs a guy with his spider claw?   If I had not seen it with my own eyes I would swear it was a joke.  

Howard Mackie wrote: I strongly suggest that if you don't like the book... DO NOT BUY IT! If sales fall... changes WILL be made.

THIS is so simple and so true...but more often than not you'll read comments by people claiming they HATE what's going on with a given title, yet they continue to BUY it, out of some pathological need. 

"I strongly suggest that if you don't like the book... DO NOT BUY IT! If
sales fall... changes WILL be made."

That raises an interesting question, though.  Since Joe Quesada's good relationships with creators is seemingly the central element of Editor-In-Chiefship, what would it take to get him to drop the axe on a high-profile talent?  I suppose that's also something that DC would struggle with, but they appear to have a little more editorial control than M****l right now.  JoeQ's administration seems to be greatly built on letting creators do what they want on their titles (unless the plans of a "lesser" creator conflict with a "greater" one).  If JMS were fired off Amazing Spider-Man, would he quit Supreme Power and Fantastic Four?  Would that sour other Hollywood types on working for M****l?

Mike

Bob Simko: THIS is so simple and so true...but more often than not you'll read comments by people claiming they HATE what's going on with a given title, yet they continue to BUY it, out of some pathological need.

Not me.  And this is one thing I can thank the Internet for:  I dropped AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and IRON MAN this past year, yet I can still keep informed on what's happening in the titles by reading online reviews, etc.  When the creative team changes or something comes along that sounds interesting enough, I might pick up an issue again.  Until then, I know what's going on and Marvel isn't getting a dime from me on those comics in the meantime.

I used to be one of those people who would buy the comic out of some pathological need.  Then, one day, just a few years ago, I woke up and realized that I didn't care if I had every issue of a crappy book.  I was more interested in quality comics.  So, I shifted my comic money to books that satisfied me, and It's been a much better experience since.

Mike Bunge: If JMS were fired off Amazing Spider-Man, would he quit Supreme Power and Fantastic Four?  Would that sour other Hollywood types on working for M****l?

The industry would be the better for it, in my opinion.

Then maybe competent writers with respect for the characters would get some opportunities.