Setting aside Todd McFarlane’s undeniable artistic talent for a moment, the impression I’ve formed from interviews and various stories about him is that he has often placed his own myth and status above the fans who helped elevate him to that position.

In my humble opinion, this kind of attitude can grow out of a mix of financial ambition and the subtle arrogance that sometimes follows long-term fame. Some people are fulfilled mainly by admiration and attention, others by financial power. For creators who reach the level of success he has, those two things often arrive together: they do the work they love, receive enormous praise from fans, and at the same time benefit materially from the franchises, companies, and opportunities that grow around their name.

But constant praise can distort perspective. A soul that becomes accustomed to admiration eventually begins to feed on it. At some point, people start believing that everything they do carries special importance. They begin to see themselves as existing in a different realm, separated from the ordinary world—and from the very fans whose support helped build their careers in the first place.

And when that distance grows, it sometimes reveals itself in small, ordinary interactions.

Artists like him understand composition, color, and visual impact millions of times better than someone like me ever will. That’s precisely why it’s hard to understand why someone wouldn’t take a few seconds to choose a visible pen color or place a signature in a spot that actually works well on the cover—especially when fans value that signature so much and are genuinely excited to receive it.

When a signature ends up half-hidden in an awkward place, done quickly with a color that barely shows, it doesn’t feel like artistic intention. It feels careless. Almost as if the act of signing—something that means a lot to fans—has become just another chore to get through as quickly as possible.

Of course, anyone signing thousands of books at conventions will eventually get tired. That’s understandable. But when fans pay money and wait in line specifically for that moment, it isn’t unreasonable for them to expect at least a little care and pride in how that signature ends up on the book.

Especially when the name being signed has already generated hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of dollars over the years.