A couple of years ago, many comic book heroes launched Twitter accounts, and many of the “heroes” did an admirable job staying in character — you know, if superheroes had the time to use social media.
One of the more active accounts belongs to The Real Tony Stark, who recently took exception to a website’s content:
Newsarama has a top 10 list of things that piss off comic fans. It really should be a list of 1 word, "Everything". http://t.co/49AWnpfC
— Tony Stark Iron Man (@RealTonyStark) June 15, 2012
Now, if you’re on online magazine or humor site, this might be a good opportunity to play along or play it off… but not Newsarama:
@RealTonyStark Actually, the nightly top ten list is an ADDITIONAL story posted at 9pm, added onto the same regular daily 10-15 posts.
— Newsarama (@Newsarama) June 15, 2012
@RealTonyStark It's MORE content, not less, by definition. Thanks for reading!
— Newsarama (@Newsarama) June 15, 2012
The fascinating part is just how “real” this complaint becomes, and the idea of just how prevalent (and annoying) this publishing tactic is:
.@Newsarama Your articles are fine, it's the slide shows that are essentially a headline and 10 pictures spread over 11 pages that aren't.
— Tony Stark Iron Man (@RealTonyStark) June 15, 2012
@Newsarama Don't waste talent like @vanetarogers on Top 10 Coolest Things The Hulk Has Punched.
— Tony Stark Iron Man (@RealTonyStark) June 15, 2012
@RealTonyStark Vaneta likes writing top tens sometimes. She chooses to. They're fun and a little lighter than the other pieces we work on
— Newsarama (@Newsarama) June 15, 2012
Yes, it’s a good idea to engage with your readers… but trying to argue against a multi-billionaire playboy ex-alcoholic industrialist who doesn’t really exist?
Maybe they’re just trying to extend the conversation to ten tweets, so they can do a gallery.
