Jay Bardyla of Happy Harbor Comics in Edmonton, Canada read the comments made by Mark Dudley (see "Mark Dudley, Illustrator and Sequential Artist, on 'Cap'") and objects to Dudley's criticism of Western comics:

Mr. Dudley's displeasure of "western comics" is noted but his comparison against European and Japanese comics is an apples to oranges comparison.  Yes, the non-North American books do tend to have a definite beginning, middle and end but they do because they aren't serialize, 70 year old properties that constantly have to meet the changing demands of an aging reader base while attempting to entice new readers.  The books he speaks of with such fondness are story specific creations that tend to come out once or very infrequently and that makes it easier to praise their "completeness."

However, it's largely a matter of taste.  I, personally, am not a big fan of European or Asian books as they are finite.  There's not enough there for me to invest in.  One story is all I get?  That's not quite enough for me.  I, and millions of others, love the ongoing, monthly ebbs and flows of our decades long characters and wouldn't really have it any other way.  And while I would have loved to see Steve Rogers dead longer to make his return have greater impact, to criticize Western comics for the demands they have to meet as a fault and inferior to other comics is just uncalled for.

You don't like Western comics Mr. Dudley then I suggest you shouldn't read them but don't tell me they're no good.  I like them just fine, thank you.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.