JMS has responded to much of the criticism leveled at him over the most recent issue of ASM-
As I've always said...whether someone likes or doesn't like my work, that's as it should be. I don't argue the validity of opinions.
There are some who don't like the Gwen aspect of this story, and some who think it's deepened the character in a positive way. Why would I want to weigh in on that? Arguing is good. For the first time in a very long time, people are getting passionate enough about the title to have arguments on this scale, and that's good. If I stay out of the way, it's to allow the dialogue to continue unimpeded, whether the book is being praised or raked over the coals.
As a long time fan, I remember almost the identical reactions when it was decided to kill Gwen off, so I knew I'd be walking into a firestorm here. To write is to take chances. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don't, because the measure of success is in the eyes of the reader. And a subjective opinion is always right for that reader, always true for that person. So yeah, I've kept low to watch the arguing and see where the bodies land.
The only thing I will mention, the only thing that did surprise me, was the degree to which some folks have turned on *Gwen*. I've heard of the madonna/whore dynamic, but I've never actually seen it played out this strenously. I can't even begin to count the number of posts I've seen from folks who are calling Gwen a slut, a whore, and a tramp...that this destroys her as a person...
Having sex with someone makes that person a *whore*? I'll admit it, *that* flummoxed me. Because I've known plenty of women who, young and naive and foolish, found themselves caught up with an older guy, even if only for a moment, because they are drawn in by them...especially if that someone is as powerful and manipulative an older figure as Norman Osborn. Maybe because I've known so many of them, all of whom are fine people, I've never once thought of them in those admittedly ugly terms.
We all make mistakes in our lives. You who are without sin, throw the first stone, right? Gwen made a mistake. But she took responsibility for it, had the kids when there were other options (I don't want this to turn into a debate on those options, I'm just saying), and was prepared to go toe-to-toe with Norman, who on some level she had to be afraid of, and to raise those children, even if it meant screwing up her career, and marrying Peter.
Now, to *me*, that is a person of immense personal strength and integrity. It gives her a spine and a conscience and a will that we really haven't seen in her before. To me, Gwen is a person...and like all people, she has good and bad, makes mistakes and adjusts for them. Always tries to do the right thing. And when cornered, she'll fight, not just for herself, but for other people. To other people, this seems to make her a slut. This aspect of it isn't a writing thing, isn't a storytelling thing, it's a matter of how one views people who have sex in this world.
And you'll note that at no time does Peter ever say or think these things about her. Because Peter understands. Peter loves her even though she made a mistake. Given the ferocity with which some have turned on a dime and attacked Gwen -- calling someone they say they respected a whore and turning their backs on her character, damning her as a slut and a tramp -- it seems that I may write the comics, but a few other people have the issues.... But that's just my opinion. jms
Everything *I* have seen has raked JMS *himself* over the coals for his astounding lack of judgement and profound misunderstanding of all the characters involved. Just reading through his response reveals his almost-comical cluelessness when it comes to the character of Gwen and what she likely would have done based on her personality at the time. Just because he praises Gwen for "being strong" and "standing up to Norman", still doesn't mean his decision is valid. And, I beg your pardon JMS, but most of us don't know a whole bunch of women who throw themselves at older men. I think he's been spending too much time in Hollywood, land of the reinforced casting couch. What an incredible, arrogant jackass this guy is.
