That Age Old Comics Writer/Artist Debate Descends into Compliments

Every writer should be able to answer Why, regarding why each character is in the story.

— Patch Zircher (@PatrickZircher) December 4, 2018

Okay as long as you accept that sometimes the answer will be, "Because."

;)

— Fabian Nicieza (@FabianNicieza) December 4, 2018

Not acceptable :)

— Patch Zircher (@PatrickZircher) December 4, 2018

"Why is that hot dog vendor in the story shouting out to Spider-Man as he swings by?"

"Because."

See? Works fine.

— Fabian Nicieza (@FabianNicieza) December 4, 2018

That's not a character! That's scenery.

— Patch Zircher (@PatrickZircher) December 4, 2018

But then I'll tell you the vendor will get killed 2 issues later and Spidey regrets not having purchased a dog from him because that might have prevented the death. Spidey finds out the vendor owed Hammerhead $, and so…

For now, you'll simply have to trust me with, "Because."

— Fabian Nicieza (@FabianNicieza) December 4, 2018

But—-and there's always a but with us Americans– if I don't know that, I don't make the hot dog vendor memorable, I don't swing the camera and show his face, or maybe I don't even draw him at all.
Your artist has got to know Why.

— Patch Zircher (@PatrickZircher) December 4, 2018

I came up with the entire Hot Dog Vendor/Hammerhead arc AS A RESULT of the excellent Hot Dog Vendor you drew.
It was your rendition that led me on a new, exciting story path.
And that is why the answer to the artist sometimes is, "Because."
Because ANYTHING you do can inspire us.

— Fabian Nicieza (@FabianNicieza) December 4, 2018

–sigh—
How can I debate that :)

— Patch Zircher (@PatrickZircher) December 4, 2018

Oh, you certainly can debate it, but honestly, at this point, it would just make you look like a turd.

;)

— Fabian Nicieza (@FabianNicieza) December 4, 2018