[...] “I think internet controversies would be cut in half if Johanna never used headlines on her blog.” — Leigh Walton, while summing up the Chip Kidd controversy [...]

Perhaps lost in the signal-to-noise ratio of this brouhaha is the issue that the reproduction of the comics is just genuinely horrible, that Kidd took beautiful comics and made them ugly. There was nothing that Kidd could have said to make me, as a reader and consumer, satisfied with the sight-unseen purchase of the book, but yes, I might have been satisfied with a measured and rational response to the points raised by Andrew, Jog, Johanna, Leigh and Laura, rather than the reply he elected.

But hey, he’s the “artist,” and he’s entitled to act childish and aggressive, just as I’m entitled to dispose of his crappy books. I spend too much money on books that I actually like as it is.

Why is his name not on the cover, when the book is NOT just about his comics?

Gee…I wonder…

It almost makes…SENSE…

The book is not simply a compilation of the comics.

Why would one of the creators who works on the manga be credited with writing the book that is ABOUT the manga?

Should the subject of a biography be credited as the author of the book?

What a ridiculous, petty complaint, nevermind the fact that your complaint (“ignores author”) is complete bullshit. Mr Kuwata is not the author of the book.

I recently bought a graphic novel written by one person and drawn by another solely because I love the artist’s work. That name may be selling the book, but that doesn’t mean that the writer should be omitted entirely from the cover credits.

Claim it’s an oversight or not negatively intended, fine, but I don’t understand why you would argue it’s ok to omit the major creator’s name.

I neglected to respond to one aspect of your response. If I thought Kidd was exploiting Kuwata, I would understand the cover dispute. But I think a case can be made that in fact Kidd is an advocate for Kuwata, bringing a greater awareness to his work that might otherwise have never occurred.

Consider this clip on Kidd’s recent presentation. He’s informing people about the work of Kuwata, he’s not saying “hey gang look what I did”:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17418

It strikes me that many of the bloggers weighing in on this matter have chosen to ignore many details that would weaken their misplaced indignation, such as that it took Kidd 10 years to put this book together.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/11/chip-kidd-talks.html
Kidd is not a creator who makes his living exploiting other creators, as this cry to boycott and other reactions seem to want to intimate.

Kuwata’s work is getting into more people’s hands because of Kidd’s efforts. Kuwata never could or would have had this occur without Kidd’s efforts. His name is not on the cover, yet it is on the inside flap and other places in the book (and Kidd’s marketing of it).

The new response in this manufactured outrage is to dismiss Kuwata’s lack of indignation as some sort of cultural handicap
http://myriadissues.blogspot.com/2008/11/jiro-kuwata-secret-author-of-bat-manga.html:
“A Japanese man showing humility, deference, and putting the interests of the group above his own? Why is anyone surpised by this? This could be taking advantage of what might be a cultural difference when it comes credit and recognition. To the Japanese Kuwata, it might be part of working in a team and acknowledging that others may have more expertise and knowledge in the field. But to the American audience, it appears that his contribution is far less important than the people listed on the cover.” So, even though Kuwata is not offended, we’re supposed to be offended for him. Christ on a crutch, this is absurd to me. And yet, to you Johanna, looking for a wronged party in this situation, clearly do not. So be it. I see the facts in a different way, clearly.

This is why the Internet is a cesspool.

Nice to portray him as “pissy”, Johanna. I think Kidd was rightfully annoyed that some bloggers failed to even try to contact him and gather any facts before knocking him. Kudos to Mautner and Butcher for actually seeking out Kidd for comment.

I prefer to consider your “pissy” comment in the light of Kidd’s later line:

“So that’s what I have to say. In this culture of blogger-snark I’m sure this is just the equivalent of painting an even larger target on my forehead, but I can’t just say nothing.”

Kidd put this book together, and I stand by my belief there would not be the mainstream attention to and praise for this book without his involvement.

[...] called Hipster Dad has perhaps the final word on Chip Kidd’s ego and the lack of true author credit on Bat-Manga! After collecting links on the topic and summing up [...]