I first ran across Taki Soma at the Brian Bendis board, when I discovered she'd posted a wish to have a sketch from me after seeing a Green Arrow sketch I drew at The Millarworld Free Sketch Thread. I then discovered that she was a talented artist by her own right, working professionally and quite active in comics fandom - attending conventions and nurturing a cheerful presence on the message boards. Well, I contacted her and received a specific request for a Spectre sketch. It took some time but I finally did that sketch, last January, and sent it to her. Taki then promptly posted the sketch on the Bendis board under the The Fabulous Michael Netzer thread she opened for the occasion - and has recently shown it off on another photo thread there.
On that Fabulous thread, which I also participated in, some of the conversation drifted into two particular aspects of the sketch. I drew Taki holding a drink, raising a toast to her favorite hero, The Spectre - who laid his hand on her shoulder in endearment. Some of the reactions teased her about the alcoholic beverage and sexual innuendo. I sensed that Taki was a little dismayed at this and was moved to defend the good spirit and comradrie that she exuded in everything I'd read about her and the photographs I used for reference. I explained that The Spectre's posture and gesture are a sign of his heart-felt thanks for her admiration of him. This is truly the spirit in which I did that drawing . Here's what I said about the cocktail:
Taki is raising the glass with a spirit of cheer and comradrie. She exudes nothing but goodwill and good times. People will say alcohol, demeaningly, yet those who like to enjoy a good time with friends and let loose a little to make the good spirit flow more spontaneously, well, we all know there's nothing demeaning about that. Those who criticize the alcohol rarely care about anyone in order to bring a little cheer into their lives. The good message of this drawing is worth fighting for.
I've been away from the internet since then but little did I know what a premonition all this held of things to come for Taki. The Mid-Ohio Con controversy has since blown open in the comics press, regarding sexual misconduct against her by Charles Brownstein, executive director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund - and a highly respected figure in the comics industry. The story has all but blown over by now. Below is a sampling of the press coverage on it:
Here's a loose and brief summation: Sometime last fall at The Mid-Ohio Comics Convention, Taki was invited to join a few acquaintances in the hotel pool or jacuzzi. Everyone there had indulged in some drinking. Taki, not having a bathing suit with her, entered the water fully dressed. She claims that when she started to leave, Charles Brownstein grabbed her shirt and slipped his hand under it, cupping her breast - and wouldn't let go. A struggle then ensued and Taki's friend came to help her by forcefully prying Charles' hands away from her.
Ronee Garcia Bourgeois, an acquaintance of Taki, initially broke the story at Buzzscope. Though not naming names, this apparently led to a series of speculations which infringed on the reputations of other key figures in the industry. Taki filed a police report but was dissuaded from filing charges against Brownstein because of logistical issues and lack of witness credibility. Charles then came forth and admitted that he lifted Taki's shirt but never touched her body. He claims to have apologized but that Taki didn't accept his apology.
The CBLDF investigated the matter independently and has laid it to rest, bringing little or no action against Charles Brownstein. The comics industry has now laid this story to rest also. Some of the commentary in the comics press calls Taki Soma's integrity into question for not having filed charges and for the discrepancy between the two versions of what happened. An issue of her affair with a married man was brought into the fray (he was the key witness who pried Brownstein's hands from her at the pool) and only added to the suspicions against her. It's become a "he said/she said" matter that will remain unresolved, the pundits wrote. Taki Soma has been admittedly wronged in a very degrading manner by a prominent figure in the industry and the comics community is willing to let things remain as they are with little or no repercussions for the assault on her.
I myself am not satisfied with the way it's been resolved. I'd like to direct a few words to Charles Brownstein.
Taki Soma, Charles, has no reason to lie about the incident and fabricate the story of you grabbing her physically under her shirt. If she was ferociously going after you and wanted to damage you, as your friends have speculated in the industry press, she would've filed charges against you. The fact that she filed the police report but brought no charges is an indication of her goodwill and perplexity in dealing with an incident which caused her much undue pain and grief. Taki Soma handled the matter as a woman of valor would, with great sensitivity to everyone involved - including you.
You, on the other hand, Charles, had every reason to lie about what happened. You had every reason to take advantage of the indiscriminate way the story broke into the comics press. You had every reason to lie about what you did, showing no concern to the additional grief you bring on Taki. Everything in the story indicates that if you'd come forth honestly with a sincere apology, Taki would've accepted it. What she didn't accept was a dilluted account of the incident with an offer of monetary recompense. No, Charles, you had every reason to try to weasel your way to safety by casting doubt on her integrity and transforming your assault on her into a misdemeanor between friends.
You're no friend of Taki's, Charles. We all know that now.
You're a profound example of the reason our world's become the ruthless jungle that it is. You hide behind your position with a respectful organization while you assault and defame an innocent woman with far greater nobility than you. You've shown yourself for the regrettable semblance of a man you're purporting to be. The way your friends and supporters came to your aid, at Taki's expense, bids ill for the state of affairs in the boy's club of the comics, which remains deaf to the injustice that Taki suffered at your hands.
I don't believe you, Charles. I don't believe you've spoken the truth about this incident. I don't believe you when you say this was a first and last case. I don't believe anything you say about it, actually. Not until you publicly admit what you've done and how you misled everyone about the truth you're hiding. You, Charles, carry a heavy weight in your heart as a result of your actions and you'll continue to carry it until you make a sincere gesture to restore this good woman's trust. The trust and dignity which you attempted to strip Taki Soma of.
I'm not a naive man, Charles, but I'm not giving up on you. I'd like to see you muster the courage to do the right thing and come forth with the entire truth. Not for Taki's sake alone - but for yours also. You yourself, Charles, are the one whom you've damaged most with your actions... and with your subsequent cover-up of them.
