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February 13, 2006

The Last Goodbye

Ryall: Well, this is officially our last bit of business with the site. I know last week was the final column (click the link above if you missed it), TV RECS and COMICS 101, but Ming and Kevin were gracious enough to allow us this last "victory lap," as it were. It's you folks that've kept this column going (I thought it might fold after the message boards returned, but happily, it got even better), so I wanted to run your final thoughts here. Tipton: What he said.

Now, a form of this column will also appear at Comics101.com, along with Scott's column of the same name, and my nonsense, so I encourage you to keep writing. But for now, thanks for the support and nice words. I suppose someone else will have to deal with the random "jay & slent bob rulz you suck snooganz!" e-mails now... Now let us step out of the way, as I try to not feel like I'm attending my own wake, and see what all you nice people had to say about us one last time here.

Paulus writes: I may well be the first reader to wish you well… thanks to the time difference

Been here since day 1

Best of luck man…. It’s been great with you at the helm.

Between the lines it seems a lot of migration to comics101.com… I will see you all there.

I am LMAO over the news headlines…

I hear Nicholas Cage wants your jobs

Tom A. writes: Why fore y'all gotta do this to us? Because the only thing that stays the same is change? Or are Kevin's demands for you to service him (and yeah, I mean like that) too mych for you and the Proffesser?

Either way, comics101.com is already bookmakred.

See ya there, and thanks for making The Shoot my favourite place to go on the net.

Emma F. writes: o I’ve been sitting at this email for about 25 minutes now working out exactly what I want to say and how I want to say it. I’m coming up a blank but I really want you to know how much you (and the site) have meant to me (and others) so here goes.

Firstly, nicely worded final column. Not once did you say exactly WHY you’re leaving. It’s understandable having a family to look after and a fulltime job elsewhere means you can’t take care of this site just for the love of it.

Secondly, I want to thank you for creating the MPS community. It was the first forum I ever signed up to and up until recently was the only one. You build an area where people from around the world (ok predominantly yankee doodles) could meet and discuss pop culture and any random BS. And aside from the nastiness that inevitably happens in families, it was a place that grew true friendships, a marriage and Smurfy’s weird dreams about Karma! All this is attributable to you my friend. Even though you won’t be Lord of the Poop any longer, I really and sincerely hope that you become a regular joe on the boards, hopefully reducing some of the black hole you’ll be leaving.

I’m really sad that this era of Poopshoot (with yourself & Tipton leaving I might add) is coming to an end.

If you and your family ever find yourself in this part of the world, you’ll always have an Ozchick for a tour guide. Good luck and all the best

Storm B. writes: I haven't been sleeping more than four hours at a time for a month now (lifelong insomniac, but this is bad even for me), and it's starting to take a toll on my brain. So, when I read that you and Scott are leaving MPS, I thought I was just trippin' out. Lacking sleep, I must be hallucinating; the man I used to admire for his wit and intelligence would never do anything so stupid (even if his love of Affleck is lamer than a three legged dog; I stopped reading Newsaskew.com when it became the Daily Bennifer Report). As my hillbilly ancestors would say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

The site is widely read, respected, and known. Whathefuck more does it need? Any word on whether or not you guys will be able to re-print your old articles??

Re: The WB and adding unnessecary teenagers to "improve" their shows; I don't watch "Gilmore Girls", but that no talent skank they added to "Charmed" has made me stop watching altogether. But, it's the WB, whatever's "happening", they gotta jump on it and hump it to death. Remember; WB *used* to stand for We Black-- now, it stands for White Brats (ever notice, there are NO BLACK PEOPLE ON THE WB! Not a ONE! Steve Harvey don't count; like my ol' man says, that should be called "The White People Is Crazy! Show", and I don't think it's on anymore anyway). The lack of sleep is causing me to ramble.

I talk like Stan Lee, *and* I have an excellent name? **Bluuush** Gee whiz, Mr. Editorguy... I'm the happiest nerdgirl in San Diego! :)

Make Mine Moviepoopshoot!... for another week, then I'll be

Constantly Craving Comics101!... ugh, not so good, gimme time!

Gary D. writes: Sorry to hear you’re leaving the shoot. I check in weekly, and have occasionally shot an e-mail your way. But you won’t really be missed because I’ll just traipse over to comics101 now as well. And I’ll get ally my Ryall and Tipton goodness(yay).

Anyway, good luck on the new endeavor, and I’ll be there to support your on-line work, and actually, you got me reading a bunch of IDW stuff as well.

So, thanks for everything on Poopshoot, and I look forward to seeing you on the new site.

Mark W. writes: I've just read your announcement on the poopshoot that you and Scott are both leaving...

My initial reaction was sadness and depression, but when I finished reading and got to the part about you setting up your own website, I was happy and relieved.

I enjoy your One Hand clapping columns and find your prose style very easy to read regardless of subject matter. You will be missed, or rather you would be, but as you're setting up your own shop with Scott, I'll just have to get used to looking in a different location for my daily/weekly fix.

Thanks for flagging up Arrested Development, Lost, House and My name is Earl, even though we can wait a long time for some of your shows over here, those four have been worth the wait. Nobody has picked up Everyone hates Chris yet, so I haven't had a cahnce to see it.

On a personal level, you've replied to every one of my emails (probably in the region of 20), and I can only guess how many hundreds you receive a week. It is very much appreciated and I look forward to visiting your new home once you open the doors in a few weeks.

Keep up the good work and many thanks for entertaining and educating me over the past few years.

Mike R. writes: I'm guessing you're going to get a lot of emails that say essentially the same thing, but I couldn't let today's announcement go by without saying thanks. The site has been the first thin I check after my email when I get to work every day for a while now, and I have learned some obscure-ass shit from it that I would otherwise never have known. What was originally an "I wonder what they've put on that domain from that film" piece of idle curiosity became, when I think about it, hundreds of man-hours of reading. You, Tipton and everyone else have done a fine, fine job, and I look forward to seeing what you produce in the future.

Thanks again, and good luck

Craig writes: Just read that you,young Professor Tipton, et al are leaving the site(or have been asked to leave). I'm truly disappointed that Mr. Smith asked to change the status quo on the Shoot site but will continue to read your column(s) wherever you and the gang go.

Thanks for the years of consistent entertainment, looking forward to many more at your new digs. Kevin's loss, I suppose.

Best of luck

Hamid S. writes: I would like to persaonally thank you for years of entertainment at the SHoot. It has been a great run and checking your site has been a daily ritual for me.

I look forward to seeing what you all have in store at www.Comics101.com (I have already bookmarked the site). and at IDW.

Congrats on the future and thanks for the memories!

Shawn M. writes: Good luck to you and Tipton, buddy. I've been reading the 'shoot from the start, and I plan to keep reading it and your new site. Change is a good thing.

Richard S. writes: I hear Nicholas Cage wants to write One Hand Clapping....

I'm sorry to hear about yours and Scott's leaving the Shoot, but I'll follow you to Comics 101. It's funny- I followed Jeff Wells to your site and now I'll be following you to another. Maybe if you guys bounce around the 'net long enough, I'll hit all of them.

Tip of the hat to going out in a (Johnny) blaze of Nicholas Cage glory. Too bad you couldn't have shown off more of your unequalled talent for finding intriguing pics of the female subjects of the news items....

Michael H. writes: Wow. The end of an era (sort of). I've gotta say thanks, Chris. While I admit to missing the boat at the start, The Shoot has entertained me on a daily basis for the past 2+ years. Yourself and Scott, in particular, have even taken it a step further -- you've made me feel welcome here. You both always took the time to respond to even the most insipid e-mails I sent, and I'm grateful for that.

I'll be sure to bookmark Comics101.com so I can keep up on the biz.

Jennifer H. writes: What a sad day....can't believe you are leaving. I hope that the site stays as personal feeling and good as it has been with you in the lead. I am not a big comic fan (sorry) but I will check out your site anyway...just to get my weekly TV Wrecks.

Gonna miss you man...won't be the same without you.

Good luck and Godspeed my friend.

Loyal reader from day one!!!!

Gino E. writes: I know I'm sending this just to Chris, but it goes the same for Bowden and Tipton as well...

I just read the news, and this sucks... I mean, on one hand, you guys are all going to be on a new site, but on the other, what's going to happen to the rest of the 'Shoot?..

I read your One Hand Clapping column, and I still don't understand why you guys are leaving, what Kevin did, etc., etc... So any further explanation would be amazing...

I will continue to be a loyal reader of the 'Shoot, as well as Comics101.com... But I don't think it'll ever be the same again...

You guys have given me good times at work every day for at least the last year and a half... Thank you Chris, Thank you Scott B., Thank you Scott T...

p.s. FAMILY GUY RULZZZ!!!!11!!!1!1ONE... ARRESTED DEVELPMENT SUZXX04RZ....

p.p.s. yeah, sorry bout that... felt like being an ingnorant fan one last time...

Sean B. writes: Best of luck to you, Professor Tipton & Scott Bowden on the move to the new site. Already have it book marked. I’ve been enjoying the current version of the Poopshoot almost since the beginning. “New & Improved” has usually meant a change for the worse in my experience, so I’m really glad that my fave “must read” columns will live on at their new home.

David W. writes: You guys leaving: Booooooooooooo!

That is all.

JJ C. writes: Today's April 1st, right?

In the immortal words of Leann Rimes...or maybe it's Trisha Yearwood (I'm not really into country music and they both come up when doing a Google search): "How do I live without you? I want to know. How do I breathe without you? If you ever go. How do I ever, ever survive?"

I'm gonna miss you, man, but good luck. You keep writing 'em, I'll keep reading 'em...or something like that.

Michael P. writes: See you on the other side. Godspeed.

BTW: I did make good on my promise and purchase the fourth set of BTAS DVD's. It's a shame that JLU is coming to an end. Really, that series is fantastic and could go on forever with as many plot possibilities that are present.

Mark W. writes: I've just read Chris' announcement on the poopshoot that you are both leaving....

My initial reaction was sadness and depression, but when I finished reading and got to the part about you setting up your own website, I was happy and relieved.

You write my favourite column, not just on the shoot, or the web, but in any medium.

I had a very selfish thought of 'Where will I surf to on Wednesday mornings as soon as I get to work?'

On a personal level, you've replied to every one of my emails (probably in the region of 15), and I can only guess how many hundreds you receive a week. It is very much appreciated and I look forward to visiting your new home once you open the doors in a few weeks.

Keep up the good work and many thanks for entertaining and educating me over the past few years.

Lauren K. writes: I just read your goodbye article and was at first saddened that I would no longer read your sarcastic comments and snarky headlines. But, I see now that you are not gone forever, just from the site! I will have to track down this new site, bookmark it, and rub my hands in anticipation of what will come next.

TV recommendations, Comics and other email replies, and of course Comics 101 have all made my day at one point or another so a big thank you for the last 3+ years.

Patrick H. writes: thanks for the reads. Good luck with the new opportunity. Not going to cry, dammit...

Raymond N. writes: Thanks so much for putting out a great site. You made this place one of my daily stops while wasting time at work. I know how hard the online grind can be with a "real" job. I did a column for a while for a friend's site (Popthought.com) and just lasted around a year even though I absolutely loved it.

Good luck on the new site. I'll definitely tag along for that ride - I've already bookmarked the URL. Any dude that gives me a free CD (Robert Cray contest: "Family Guy Blues") earns that much.

Luke D. writes: While I am sure you have recieved enough emails thanking you for your hard work, I have to throw my thanks in as well.

I remember when the site first opened, working my crappy student summer job. I read the site everyday. "The bottom of things" first got me hooked on the site when I read about a Palahniuk book called survivor, I read it and never put it down. The day I read "the good, the bad and the ugly" with "Killer Nerd" being the ugly I cracked up laughing so hard I nearly lost my job (I was in tears laughing so hard, I couldn't say two words without laughing even more, a woman called asking for help with her healthcare and I laughed in her face talking about killer nerd and the face full of acid threat he went on about). Kentucky Fried Rasslin' got me back into wrestling. The stories from the old days reminded me of being a kid, and even though I can't sit down and watch the full shows, I am always "in the know" thanks to the shoot.

Finally for you... Your TV reccomendations were always amazing. You got me hooked on shows like Arrested Development, Push, Nevada, Andy Richter, and well... just about every other show that has been cancelled over the last few years... I still maintain that we should create our own cable network and show the bigwigs how to do things right. I will continue to read the recommendations at the new site and hope to continue being turned on to great new shows.

I don't think I have missed a day of updates, making this the only site along ESPN.com which I visit every day. For someone who knows absolutely nothing about comics, I think that's pretty impressive... for both of us.

You always responded to my emails and I think that is truly amazing that you responded to everyone for 44 months (even the "FUCK YOU FUCKERS" and other jay and silent bob ripoffs)... I can't imagine how you did it, but wow...

All I can say is thank you for the great work... thank you for the truly great work...

Ed E. writes: Really gonna miss you guys man but I hope for nothing but success for you in going forward. Again too, congrats on the IDW job.

Kevin J. writes: Not bad for a ficticious website referenced in a throwaway quote from Ben Affleck. Thanks for all the hard work (and for free, too? Damn!) and all the good times cruisin' the web. When I heard all of you guys were leaving at once, I became slightly depressed. Almost immediately. Not "kill myself" depressed, but "I dropped a 5-spot down the sewer by accident, and it sucks" depressed. But seriously, the only thing I can relate it to is when Corona's Coming Attractions folded (yeah, it still exists on Cinescape, but not really).

THANK GOODNESS you guys are continuing on with Comics 101. I already added it to my Favorites, and I look forward to adding it to my grind (daily Net reading schedule). Thanks again for the columns, the updates, everything else (the real-time development of "Secret Show" is one of the most important things about comics online right now -- can't wait to read it). I still got love for PoopShoot, but I have no idea how K Smith is gonna replace you guys. Anyway, I just can't abandon it; that'd be wrong. Unless, it sucks. Here's hoping for the best.

Take care, good luck, and keep up the good work

P.S. I won "The Great Movies II" from Ebert on your site [50 word review contest]. It's great, and that's one of my best memories ever. So thanks for that, too. DON'T LET IT GO TO YOUR HEAD!

Nicholas B. writes: (Note: In case you weren't paying attention, this was addressed to both of you, Messrs. Tipton & Ryall -- thanks for reading.) Yeah, I started reading the 'Shoot on the 6th of January of last year -- I remember this because it was my first day of trade in Job Corps (uh, don't worry about that... I'm cool). I was already bored, and wanted something to do, so I went online to see what was what. I had recently rewatched Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back with a friend, and remembered that the website from the movie, movie poop chute or something, was a real website. While it had originally been a joke (Lawrence of Labia? Beautiful.), at some point, a few guys in the employ of His Greatness, Lord Kevin Smith, of the Land of New Jersey, Spinner of Tales and Purveyor of Humorous Fictional Anecdotes had redone the site as some sort of entertainment news outlet. Interesting enough. I mean, it kept me entertained. That was Monday. Then came Wednesday. Holy. Dammit. Christmas. "Comics 101" is, I believe, the first internet article I have ever read with any sort of regularity. That, and "Trailer Park", "Should It Be A Movie?", and, of course, Mister Holm's "Nocturnal Admissions". It took me a while, but I eventually read the entire archive, and enjoyed every article in it. I admit, I don't read your (that's you, Chris) article every week, but I do enjoy your exchanges with those other loons in the mail section, and I occasionally check out your remarks on the current week's televised programming. That, and you've been running a damn fine website. Anyways, when I first came to the 'Shoot, I was expecting to be mildly entertained. I didn't realize that it was a site which I would check back with nearly every weekday for a year. I also didn't realize that when two of the main driving forces behind the site left, I would be following them. Sure, I'll check back into the 'Shoot every week (yay, "Addicted to Bad"), but rest assured that while comics101.com will start off with plenty of regular readers, at least one of those readers will always be ready to play admiring fanboy.

Alas, it is Midnight in Indiana, and I am rambling tired. I'm going to go to my bedroom, read The Sandman #75 (I was saving that for when I was really tired, as I thought it would be fitting, Mr. Tipton), and slip off into a comfortable slumber, knowing that with you two around, there will always be something interesting to read in the morning. Good evening, gentlemen.

David L. writes: I just wanted to wish you the very best of luck with the new website - I've already got it bookmarked and am eagerly awaiting its debut. Thank you so much to both you and Chris Ryall's fantastic work with Movie Poop Shoot. Your Comic 101's and the Poop-Shoot's funny one-liner headlines have consistently been the highlight of the week. I sometimes wonder whether you'll ever run out of Nicholas Cage jokes.

Again, looking forward to the website. And good luck!

Robert M. writes: Now who will I share my Veronica Mars obsession with? Besides everyone I know, of course...

Seriously though, good luck and I look forward to reading the TV Rec's on the new site.

Vic writes: Who says slaving away for free writing on the internet doesn't pay off? ;-)

Best of luck to you in your new endeavors!

Matt writes: Yeah I know you're moving, but still - gave me a tear in my eye to see your notice. I've always enjoyed your columns - they first got me to read Animal Man, which is a gift I'll never be able to repay. Well, here's hoping you do well at your new digs - am I still going to be able to see next weeks column by judicious address editing ? ;-)

Tom A. writes: You rock! You the Iron Man of the site, dude. thanks for all of your good work on the shoot, and I look forward to reading more at the new digs. Will the 101 archives go with you? Or will they stay at the Shoot?

Ken K. writes: Just read today's column...good luck on the new site, and for what it's worth (read: not much), consider it bookmarked and linked ...

Josh M. writes: Prof. -- Just read the One Hand Clapping Article. Congrats on the website. Thanks so much for continuing the good work.

Bryan O. writes: Scott damn you, you can't leave now!! It'd be like Grandpa getting up to pee while telling one of his war stories, only to have grandpa slip on the toilet and break his hip, delaying the story until he is out of the hospital. I must know what happened to the JLA Scott, WHAT HAPPENED AFTER MORRISON'S FIRST AMAZING ARC!!!! I'm too cheap to buy the books damnit.

Thanks for the lifetime worth of knowledge, can't wait to read your writing again. And do a column on SCUD: DISPOSABLE ROBOT ASSASSIN. And if you don't know him, maybe I can teach YOU something for a change.

Eddie C. writes: Sorry to see you and Scott leave the site! Way I figure it, you guys were the personality of this site and it won't be the same without you. I look forward to Scott's new site, Comics 101, and hope you are a frequent contributor there. It sounds almost corny, but I can't imagine a week going by without some TV Recommendations.

Also hope you'll still be able to do pilot reviews, too. This site is one of the best I've seen (if not the best) in terms of criticizing and poking fun at pop culture! I just hope they can keep up the quality in your abscence.

I also look forward to more of your great work over at IDW (a formidable alternative to The Big Two, or is it Three). Good luck and hope to hear from you soon!

Brian B. writes: "I never quite said so, but getting e-mails from the same people each week, scolding or complimenting or just commenting, meant a lot." Having sent in letters about which Julie Brown was going to be on a bad reality TV show, Chuck Woolery's Scrabble, bad Seth MacFarlain commentary tracks, the greatness of Halloween 3: Season of the Witch, According to Jim's theft of Roseanne plot lines, cable internet in Kentucky, telling which Critic episodes were good by the shape of Jay Sherman's head, and mocking you for watching Gilmore Girls while being an avid viewer myself, I can't help but believe that the above quote is entirely insincere.

Johnny S. writes: you had a good run

look forward to seeing the column on comics101.com

love and peace

Joe writes: For a second there I was getting a little sad when I was reading this last column. I thought you were just not going to post any more at first. See, this is the first site I've ever found that gives opinions instead of facts about comics. I still haven't found anything else to even judge your site against, except preachin' from the long box. I really enjoy your opinions and the insights you give us guys that couldn't see the pre-crisis stuff. It does really seam intriguing, if a little hard to catch on. I agree with most of your opinions on good comics, but not all. and that's what makes your site interesting. You don't just say what you think will make you sound cool at the time. You seem to have a stance on the traditional side when it comes to comics from your generation, but your comics were also an affront to the people who grew up to comics before you. Yes I like the characters to act in a way that meshes with their overall characterization, but just tell me a story and make it work. you seemed unhappy about Spiderman's change during act 9 of the other. And yes, eating someone's head is completely out of character for spidey. Just make it work. tell a good story. I know they're out but I haven't read them yet. If they work great spidey gets a cool new bit of lore (like the organic web-shooters nobody said anything about in spectacular), or write it out of continuity like the spider-clones or Norman's ninja twins. all I'm sayin' is just give the new twists a chance. That's how characters grow. Besides resistance to change killed the dreamcast.

Darcey M. writes: Geez Scott. I was reading your farewell column and until I got down to the bottom, I figured the column was done for good. Thank God it is going to continue. I wasn't looking forward to the withdrawal.

Anthony B. writes: I just wanted to drop you a line, and express my gratitude. After reading slightly ahead in the archives I saw your goodbye note. Imagine my horror when I read the first few lines. Was the article that I had read and enjoyed for 150+ entries comming to an End?? Why do the good things always end up that way? But no, aparently you only wanted to Scare me for a moment.

I just wanted to say thank you. For moving to a new site and not being one of those weekly pleasures that I can sit back and enjoy, that ends way too soon, like so many Web comics. And also for providing such informative, funny, and entertaining articles time after time.

This is where you stop if you dont want my life story. I've only been reading comics for 2 years now, and didnt have a Clue when I started. Right after I began I heard some wispers about this, Crisis on Infinite something..... So I bought the trade. And oh, what a trade to start with. Multiple Earths, 2 Supermen, an Earth 3 full of Supervillains, A fist fighting Uncle Sam, Monitors, Anti-Monitors, and a Beetle dressed in Blue. How was I gonna understand Any of this?!? So I checked online, I had to find out SOMETHING before I tried to tackle this story. And then I found Comics 101. Everything I could possibly need to know, and then some. All the Crisis info I could need, and a GREAT resourse for anyone starting out. Helped me actually be able to understand any of what I was reading, and also what My friends were talking about with their wacky X-Men issues from the 90's, and their Dead Supermen. Now, after two years of reading the archive and keeping up with the new ones every week, I can drop a little knowledge on those same friends. All while learning a Wealth of new info myself. And that's the best part. Being able to learn a Lot of new stuff, week after week, just pulls me into the world of comics more and more. While Comics 101 might not be my only source of information on comics nowadays, it's still my favorite.

Again, I just wanted to say thank you. And keep up the excellent work. I'll keep reading them, if you keep writing them. Week after week. We still have a JLA write-up to finish off.

P.S. You owe me alot of Money. Titans, JSA, Young Justice, JLofA/I/E, the Question.... yea, the boxes full of those in my closet are mostly your fault, for making them sound so, darned good. (All the 400+ Issues of Flash is my fault. They got the short end of the 101 stick, having an article back in the days before 3 part Superman, and 5 part Green Arrow articles. I'd say you Should write a new one on Wally's run, and Impulse/Kid Flash to go with the upcomming new #1. But I'd rather not sugest anything to get in the way of whatever greatness you already have planned for 101). Anyway, now Im trying to get those back issues of Animal Man, ever since I first heard about it through 101 I simply Had to have it. I'll send the bill right away.

Jamie O. writes: Dear Prof. Tipton: I just wanted to say thinks. I've been reading (and re-reading) the column fanatiaclly for years now, I guess, though it certainly doesn't seem like it's been that long. In that time, you helped me get back into comics in a way that never would have been possible otherwise. And, considering how much I now love comics, that's saying something.

You also introduced me to my two all-time favorite comics, Starman and The New Frontier. My debt to you just for that is immesuarble. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you. I look forward to the new site, and will surely be there on opening day.

Raygan writes: Hey, I love your column! I just moved in around the block from a comics shop and I figured it was time for me to start reading comics... so I found you! And it worked!

I'm glad you're getting your own site. I have just two questions about the new site:
One - Will you port over your archives? I find your old entries invaluable and it would be cool to not have them disappear from the web!
Two - RSS?!? I'm a big blog/rss junkie and if you can possibly have an RSS feed of your column with your move to the new site, that'd be fantastic. If I were a more technical person I could help you set that sort of thing up, but I'm not, so I suppose I can only hope you'll work in some feeds on your new site.

Thanks for all the enlightening comics info! Yours is the best comics-blog on the web!

CD writes: At least it's not a "farewell, we hardly knew ye"-type goodbye. Thanks for all the fantastic columns and taking the time out to respond to comics fans far and wide. Best of luck with the new site and see you in seven. By the way will the archives be moving with you, staying put or will they be mirrored at comics101.com?

Todd writes: what else can you possibly do but say thanks for the memories and good luck at the new site

Michael H. writes: Not much more to say than what's in the subject line. MPS is one of the very few on-line locales where intelligence is coupled with both fun and accuracy. As I told Ryall earlier this week, you've both always made me feel welcome, and for that I'm grateful. I've already got the new site bookmarked, and I'll check it daily to see what's going on. Again, thanks.

Jay S. writes: You were the only reason I even visited moviepoopshoot anyway, so good luck on your new venture and I will be a continued loyal reader.

Derek S. writes: Wow! You had me scared for a second there. I started to freak out a couple of paragraphs into your last MPS post.

"No more Comics 101 on Wednesdays?!?!? Nooooooo! ..... Oh. New site? Cool."

So, crisis averted (sorry), I'll continue to read your excellent columns as long as you continue to churn them out. Keep up the great work!

Chris B. writes: Dude, you scared me. I stopped in for my weekly fix and thought you were giving the final farewell. Honestly, I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown until I saw you were moving to a new site.

In all seriousness though, I'm glad that you'll be continuing the weekly column and I look forward to visiting the new site. With all the online columnists and bloggers out there, opinions are a dime a dozen, but your column stands leagues ahead of the rest. You have that certain, intangible something. Whenever someone comes to me wanting to know about comics, I direct them to your archives.

Anyway, keep up the good work, and good luck with the new site.

Mark D. writes: Glad to hear you're going to continue the righteous work you do. I'll follow you to the new site and bring all my fanboy friends with me. Good luck!

Dre writes: Loved your articles on the shoot, I haven't read anything like them anywhere else. I've always been a fan of superheroes, but never really got into their purest form: the actual comics. Your articles got me interested in checking a few out, and before I knew it, I'm grabbing all the new stuff and searching hard for the old. I'm glad your sticking around and making a new site, believe me, I'll visit it. It's great to hear a comic fan give clear, precise, non-biased information on comics. I could easily see the JLA history series as a college course...

Sean B. writes: Professor -- Just wanted to take a moment to wish you & your fellow Poopshoot alumni the best of luck on the new site. I’ve been enjoying your column since it first started many moons ago. The Poopshoot really won’t be the same w/o you. I’m glad that my favourite columns will have a new home over at comics101.com. See you opening day!

J. writes: congrats on the move. i hope to be reading comics 101 for a long while. and now with your own site, i hope you can actually get a little cash for all the long hours you put into the articles.

i have a quick question or 2 about your archive. will the 101 archive still be available at MPS? or will you take it w/ you to your new site? just please tell me it's going to be somewhere. thanks & good luck!!

Michael C. writes: Reaction to the latest column …

Fuck.

FUCK!

Oh.

Cool.

Adding comics101.com to the bookmarks

Louis W. writes: I hope you enjoy your reduced work schedule! I really appreciate the effort you and Scott have put into the site, and I will be enthusiastically bookmarking Comics101 once it opens. Also, I hope that you will continue posting the New Comics Releases list on Comics101. It seems that you didn’t do today’s on MPS as it lacks the filtering I have grown to appreciate (and of course, IDW is buried back in the middle).

Good luck with the new site, I’ll see you there!

Scott K. writes: Just wanted to drop you a line to congratulate you on your time at MPS. You did a truly amazing job with it...especially given the fact that you had about 20 other things going on in your life! Best of luck in the future with all your endeavors, and I'll see you at the cons!

Brian W. writes: Congratulations and best of luck in your new endeavors! I treasure my few meager winnings from some of the contests and was a daily visitor even though I never really commented.

You will be missed, but it sounds like we'll still be able to keep up over at the new site.

Jonathan S. writes: Call me a wuss, but I started tearing (pronounce TEERing) after I read your column. After reading the first few sentences I screamed AARRGH NO!!, but then I continued reading and breathed a sigh of relief. What a nasty trick of you to play on me. Well, I will certainly follow you to the new site. I don't recall how I came to your site in the first place, but I'm so glad that I did, as I've had many enjoyable hours reading your columns. I knew a lot about comics before...now I know how little I knew...thanks for pointing out what an ignoramus I was. :)
Keep writing and I'll keep reading

Jeff L. writes: Today is a sad day as I realize that there are exactly 2 places that taught me all I know about comics. COMICS 101 at www.moviepoopshoot.com and The Fourth Rail Reviews at www.thefourthrail.com. What's sad is that one of the just two reviewers at TheFourthRail, Randy Lander, announced his retirement from the site last month, and now I find out that you are leaving moviepoopshoot.

I only started reading comics a few years ago with Dreamwave's Transformers G1 exciting my childhood memories. Since then, I have become a huge fan of all comics thanks to the info and recommendations from COMICS 101 and TheFourthRail. What will I do now? I realize that you will keep doing your thing at www.comics101.com, but it just isn't the same. What's happening to this world? What will I do without the guidance I had before?

Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know how grateful I have been for your COMICS 101 column and the passion it has given me for the comic book universe. Thank you and see you again at your new site.

Malachi K. writes: Well. Shit. I have to apologize. I hadn't realized it.

("What hadn't this complete stranger realized, and why does the nutcase think that I'd care?" I can hear you thinking. Stop it. You don't know me well enough to call me a nutcase.)

I hadn't realized a couple of things. The first thing that ignoramus here missed was that there was _this guy_ who spent part of every day kicking moviepoopshoot.com into a touchstone of pure pop-culture goodness. You know how it is. You don't think about it; elves did it; where'd I put my keys. Or something. The second thing I missed was how much I'd grown to enjoy your idiot-movie-promo-tie-in turned insane-time-sink-for-geeks.

Damn. Sorry, man, I would have thanked you earlier if I'd bothered to bestir myself into a semblance of thought. I'm late to the party, but I brought the gratitude.

You were generous enough to send me a copy of Super Hero Happy Hour back when it was still called Super Hero Happy Hour. Like I said: pure pop-culture goodness. Now you're leaving. Here on this end it feels like Jake and Elwood getting sent to different prisons. There'll be the memories (not that anyone would admit to those memories in public), there'll be a website lurking in the depths of Google's cache for the rest of eternity, and there will be some folks who remember that Kevin Smith's attempt to branch out into doodie jokes turned out to have more life in it than anyone had any right to guess.

Not that I want to see it die, of course. The poopshoot deserves life, liberty, and high fiber as far as I'm concerned. In that spirit, you should feel free to forward my email address to whatever powers happen to be, provided those powers both want to keep the site alive and are hard enough up to take the volunteer assistance of a random nutcase with a keyboard a trunkfull of bile. (You know me well enough now.)

That's if it's actually worth saving, of course -- the lack of dramatic foreshadowing for this regime change gives me doubts. In any case, it sounds like comics101.com might be the lifeboat for all that crunchy, pop-cultury goodness. With you and Tipton, you folks will have all the talent you need over there.

But back to the matter at hand: thanking you.

Thanks. No, really. The site's been fun enough for long enough that I feel as though I almost knew you. You're like those crazy, neighborhood homeless guys I never had. I mean that as a compliment. I always got the violent, smelly, crack addled homeless guys. You folks were the gap-toothed, random flashes of insight, humor and wisdom homeless guys.

Okay, so I'm not good at thanking people. I tried, damn it, and now you have fan mail. Stop complaining.

Best of luck in your future ventures and other assorted well wishes.

Kathy S. writes: I don't get over to Movie Poop Shoot very often these days, but just wanted to say goodbye, good luck with all your new projects and thanks for doing such a great job. It has always been a very relaxed, very fun entertainment site and you all have worked very hard on it.

Clint B. writes: I check in from time to time and read you "last column". Sad to see you go!

Walter S. writes: Every Wednesday for the past 2 years, I've read your Comics 101 column. When you headlined this week's column with your departure... well, "shock" and "disappointment" about sum it all up. But then you mention a move to a new site? That's great. I'll certainly follow you over.

I think you've done a lot of really great work in the column over the years. Though I don't always agree with your opinions, I always enjoy reading them. Thanks for the entertainment.

Gino E. writes: And again, thank you guys, especially for always responding to e-mails from freaky fanboys such as myself, it always lent the 'Shoot a more personable appeal to me... I also wanted to compliment you on going out with one of the things that always made me laugh, the Nicholas Cage headlines joke was corny, but always funny...

Ryall: And with that, we'd like to thank you all once again--this outpouring has made the whole change go down easier. See you at COMICS 101.com beginning this Wednesday.

Photos of the Week

Ryall: One final kiss goodbye from Miss Bettie Page:

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