Something that has long fascinated me about certain segments of fandom, is the way they can memorize every comma of a comicbook's "continuity", yet when confronted with multiple and contradictory iterations of the same story, they will always insist that the person(s) generating the falsehoods are the ones telling the truth. This is how Bad Byrne Stories get started. "I don't care if Byrne could not possible have been at that convention because he was in the hospital in a full body cast! I believe he did what the story said he did!"

Smart like a fox, with only her cunning to protect her....

There isn't any truth anymore: Superboy Prime destroyed the continuity in the real world, too.

Sigh.

This is how Bad Byrne Stories get started.

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The thing I don't get is how numerous people back up JB's version, while no one has come forward to say, "yes, David's version is right." 

No.  One.

I don't know, call me crazy if you want, but I tend to believe something when there's more than one person relating it. 

I like PAD's work, but stuff like this astounds me.

Clint Adams wrote: Did you ever know that your favorite artist was going to be taking over a book until the month (or two before?)  I never did.  Likewise, did you know that your favorite artist wasn't going to be on a book until maybe the month (or two) before?  I never did.  These are things that the net has spoiled.

How has that spoiled and/or ruined anything?  Knowing a creator is either coming on board or leaving a book spoils it how?  Quite the opposite, I find that helps me in planning my purchases.  You mention how you'd never have stuck around for Stern's run on SUPERMAN had you known he was taking over the book, but I still don't get how that was spoiled for you or had any affect on you picking up the book.  When you had Stern's book in hand, you could have checked the cover (I believe DC was running talent on the covers by then) and put it down if you don't like his writing.  Or, like I do, stick around for an issue to see if the new team holds your interest.  I just don't get how it's bad to know who's working on what comics when...unless, included in the information, are a ton of spoilers about upcoming stories.  

I find it very telling that here, we've merely discussed the various versions of this story, while over at David's site, they've quickly degenerated into the usual, "The JBF is the laughingstock of the Internet" and, "Byrne is so bitter, he can't let go of something that happened 20 years ago!", and "Byrne is irrelevant!".

THAT is what all this need-to-know-monts-in-advance crap has spoiled.

Mr. Byrne, I am curious: if Mr. David was not authorized to be distributing photocopies of said Alpha Flight artwork, how did he obtain them in the first place? By definition, there would only be one set of originals. Were those in the possession of the Alpha Flight office? If so, did Mr. David surreptitiously photocopy those originals at the risk of losing his job? Pilfer them from someone else? Or was it common practice in the Marvel offices for photocopies of pages to "float" around -- even those that the editor wanted to keep under wraps, as you said was the case with this particular story?

And what do you believe Mr. David hoped to gain from this stunt you have accused him of pulling?

These are not rhetorical questions. As I said, I am curious.

(I can hear the next joke coming, so I might as well say it first....)

Does a little girl want you for Christmas?