AV Club: Whatever happened to Leonard Pierce?

**HeroBoy** · 12-20-2010, 07:18 AM

Ok, I can't find answers at the avclub.com or thru a google search, which means I come here.

Recently, AVclub.com writer Leonard Pierce started a recap of Batman: TAS, which got cut short because aparently a giant controversy took place involving Pierce. I asked what happened, exactly in a AVclub talkback but was lost in the shuffle.

So I submit to you, humble BenBo, whatever happened to Leonard Pierce?

**Gregory** · 12-20-2010, 07:25 AM

He claimed to review an Alex Toth anthology that hadn't been published yet.

**HeroBoy** · 12-20-2010, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by Gregory

He claimed to review an Alex Toth anthology that hadn't been published yet.

Ah, I see...so fired, or politely stepped down?

**Gregory** · 12-20-2010, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by HeroBoy

Ah, I see...so fired, or politely stepped down?

The AV quote I saw regarding it said they would no longer be running his reviews and the site apologized to the readers.

**HeroBoy** · 12-20-2010, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by Gregory

The AV quote I saw regarding it said they would no longer be running his reviews and the site apologized to the readers.

Thanks for the assistance, much appreciated. Shame tho, I really enjoyed his work on that site...oh well...

**Gregory** · 12-20-2010, 07:42 AM

I found the apology article:

An apology from The A.V. Club
by Keith Phipps December 9, 2010

Dear readers,

It pains me to point out that we recently published an item that should never have been published. A recent installment of Comics Panel featured a review of the book Genius Isolated: The Life & Art Of Alex Toth. This afternoon, a reader contacted me on Twitter alerting me to this item on the site ComicsComics. I am sorry to say it is accurate. One of our Comics Panel writers wrote the review despite being unable to acquire the book for now sadly obvious reasons. It should go without saying that this goes against every standard to which we hold ourselves at The A.V. Club.

I don't want to speculate on the writer's motivations, but I can say that in no way was the publisher of the book, IDW, involved. This sort of behavior is absolutely unacceptable, and we will not be working with the writer again in any capacity going forward.

We've always asked you to trust us. And we believe that one breach in ethics is all it takes to break that trust. I want to offer my apologies for this incident and my assurances that we will take every measure to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.

Sincerely,

Keith Phipps

Editor, The A.V. Club

The article links to the original review collection and notes:

Note: The original version of this column contained a review of Genius Isolated: The Life & Art Of Alex Toth, a review that was found to be fabricated. It has been pulled and the writer will not be contributing to The A.V. Club in any way going forward.