Ever since this comic went live and someone referred to it as “Kevin Smith bashing”, I’ve been wondering if I should have written it.

Kevin Smith is my favorite player in the film world. Period. The guy’s got guts, and a phenomenal ear for dialogue. If I could turn myself into half the writer the man is, I’d be counting myself lucky.

Now, I don’t suppose to know Kevin Smith. I’ve been a fan for years, seen his movies, participated on his board at ViewAskew.com, attended one of his Q&As, and listen to each Smodcast as it comes out. The candor with which he presents his life via all these formats, and the responsiveness he has to his followers breeds a sense of kinship with the man that really doesn’t exist. So, when Kevin Smith stops being 100% hilarious all the time, and starts talking about smoking weed, and smoking weed, and smoking weed, I start to wonder; what the hell happened to my buddy? Why the sudden love affair with pot? More importantly, why the need to publicize his use so frequently?

I know there are some who would say it’s the weed I have a problem with. They would be wrong. I don’t have a problem with Kevin Smith or anyone else smoking themselves silly. What I do think is odd is the associated clamor for attention. It would be just as frustrating if someone started telling me about how much they liked to drink all the time, and if all that drinking changed the stuff I liked about them.

So, I guess what I’m really trying to say is: Kevin, I liked you much better without the filter of weed. Here’s hoping that smart and hip fellow I’ve come to admire over the past several years hangs in there and doesn’t get pushed aside by the occasionally humorous but mostly droll stoner that’s been filling my Tweetie queue.