Hi all, Shelby here. You may have noticed I have not had much of a presence around the site lately (or maybe not, who am I to assume what you notice?). I’ve been going through some difficult stuff in my life lately, including, but not limited to, witnessing a shooting. It’s been rough, and I have to thank my fellow editors Patrick, Drew, and Spencer for stepping up and picking up my slack so I can deal with this. As a result, I’ve been doing a lot of reevaluating of my life, and I’ve decided I need to make some changes.
One of those changes is stepping down from my position as writer and editor here. This was a tough call for me, since I’ve been here since the very, very beginning. I brought my laptop on a trip to visit Patrick and Sarah in LA for the sole purpose of working on the logo on the plane. Two and a half years later, and I’ve published nearly 300 articles, contributed to nearly another 300, and had opportunities to engage with some of my personal heroes and heroines in the comic book industry. My need to pick up weekly books led me to AlleyCat Comics, where I now work, and some of the best people I’ve ever met. I’ve grown immensely as a writer and critical thinker; my responsibilities to you, our motley crew of readers, has helped me to view media around me in a whole new light, and I will always be grateful to Patrick, Drew, and the rest of our amazing writers, guest writers, and commenters for helping me develop that insight.
But do not despair, gentle readers! I’m not totally giving up my responsibilities here; I will stay on as designer, helping the rest of the writers with graphics and images, and generally keeping an eye on the basic look of the site. Don’t be surprised to see me in comments, or even getting pulled into the occasional Alternating Current when I’m needed. I’ll still be around, don’t you worry in the least. Keep reading, writing, and thinking, and I’ll see you when I see you.
Retcon Punch 
Shelby, it’s been an honor working with you this last year-and-a-half or so. I know I’m sad to see you “go” but I appreciate the work you’ll still be doing for us, and I look forward to still seeing you around in the comics and such. Good luck with whatever new endeavors you choose to pursue!
(and that last photo’s really great, btw. Definitely feeling myself getting ready to tear up a little bit)
Me too; I didn’t know that photo existed until Patrick sent it to me yesterday.
The one of me and Drew was taken in a ridiculous diner by my house with fake wood paneling and mirrors with gold veins on the walls.
That second picture definitely made me feel like an ass in the first one. I really need to start taking decent pictures where I just smile like a normal person
Well when I said that “last photo” I actually meant both of them since Shelby posted them as one image. My bad!
I think both are really terrific in totally different ways lol. And Drew, if you smiled like a normal person I don’t know if we could see your mouth.
Yeah, I have got to be the worst photo-sharer in the world. The only upside being when someone is like “I need photos of [blank] but there aren’t any,” I might have a few squirreled away someplace. Y’know, just like with this instance!
It was really nice of that hobo to send you that picture he took of the two of you sleeping on the train.
I thought it was a mountain man…
I can say, without hesitation or hyperbole, that without Shelby there would have been no Retcon Punch in the first place. Hell, if Shelby hadn’t agreed to go down the Geoff Johns Green Lantern rabbit hole with me, I don’t know that I’d be reading comics now. I have learned immeasurable lessons working and playing and writing and designing and arguing with Shelby. You guys remember when we made Talon trading cards? Or that piece we did for the Foster Anthology? Or our Valentines? All aspirational things wouldn’t have passed beyond the idea phase without her.
But, y’know, she’s not dead or anything. SHELBY, YOU’RE NOT DEAD. We love you, and I love you and all of that cutesy bullshit.
D’awwwwwwww.
Oh man, I can’t wait to make more Valentines next year.
Does Shelby always sit on someone’s right? WHAT’S THE DEAL B?
I’ve got a monopoly on the role of “right-hand (wo)man.”
It’s simple: I’m right handed, and wanted an excuse to elbow Shelby while we ate.
And since I have more piercings in my right ear than left, if I want to sleep on someone’s shoulder, I would be inclined to sit on their right. SCIENCE!
Good bye/luck, and best of wishes. You’ll be missed!
Thank you Carl!
Take care Shelby! I’ll miss your very personal way of reviewing comics, and I hope that we’ll still get some of that in the comments. I hope that everything you undertake going forward is fulfilling and will allow you to move past this bad stretch you’ve been having. Ciao for now!
Thanks Gino, I appreciate it!
You know, when this site started, I mostly just new Shelby as Patrick’s super nerdy friend. That assessment definitely holds up (though I realize that that’s like the pot calling the kettle black), but now I feel like she’s my super nerdy friend. I’ll avoid getting totally sentimental here, but whenever we have a writer leave, I’m always surprised at how close I feel to them. How does silly comics site do this? Point is, after nearly three years of writing with you, Shelby, you’ve become a very dear friend. I realize you aren’t actually going anywhere, but man, I’m really going to miss teeing up your response by utterly neglecting to mention the art team on Swamp Thing or whatever.
Hahaha, or whatever right back at you.