Brian Alvey: Why I am leaving AOL

It's not because they got rid of my old Autoblog logo and it's not an April Fool's joke involving Twitter this time.

About a year ago an old friend of mine asked me if I wanted to be involved in a comic book publishing company with him. We discussed it off and on and I was hooked. After all I had wanted to be a comic book artist since high school. Where did I go wrong?

We incorporated last summer and had plans to launch a site last fall. Mostly because my day job at AOL running Weblogs and Blogsmith takes up every online minute I have, that launch was delayed until February and even then we launched with just a news site and not the whole sprawling comic site I had envisioned.

Having a site described as the "Huffington Post of comics" is flattering, but it's not what I want to build.

So I've been planning for a while to leave AOL and I'm way past my own personal limit of "Shoot me if I'm still working there in March."

Next Friday will be my last day. If you have any favors you've been waiting to ask me for, let me know soon. After June 1 I will not be able to stuff the free car contest ballot boxes for you or get you those high-traffic links from Engadget, TMZ and Cinematical.

I'm leaving my companies in the capable hands of Brad Hill and Gavin Hall and they're working for the two best people I've worked with recently at AOL, Marty Moe and Ted Cahall. The only drawback to me leaving AOL is I won't get to work more with Ted or have a front-row seat as he tries to revamp AOL's entire technology foundation, but I'll do that vicariously through Gavin.

Actually, there is another huge drawback: I've built two amazing teams for Blogsmith and Netscape and I'm leaving them all behind at AOL. I always imagined I'd be working with these guys for years and years on many new projects and now I have to see if I can continue my winning streak and put together a third bunch of geniuses for the publishing platform at ComicMix.

At least I'm smart enough to not try and build it all by myself.

Comments (25)

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Gavin Hall 1033 days ago

Aww, we will miss you!

To me you will always be the Big Guy ;)

Thanks for everything.
Jose Andrade 1032 days ago

I knew this day will come, but I didn't want it to come. It's been awesome working with you Brian, you are THE MAN behind the technology running our blogs.

It will not be the same without you, but I wish you the best!!

You are one of the hardest working guys I've ever met.
Deidre 1032 days ago

You will be missed but it's great that you are following your passion in a new direction. What can I say, I dig comic book guys
http://www.blacktable.com/waxing040708.htm

Best of luck!
Deidre
Trey Long 1032 days ago

*tear*

I don't believe this is the last time we'll work together.
Mike 1032 days ago

Thanks for bringing me along for the last two years. We'll miss the puns, at the very least.
Bob M. 1032 days ago

Thanks for all of your hard work on TMZ.
Julie Tilsner 1032 days ago

Vaya con Dios, Amigo. Up, up and away! To infinity...and beYOND!

etc. etc. etc.
Kevin Kelly 1032 days ago

Brian! You will be very missed, but I'm looking very forward to ComicMix (and *ahem* bumping off someone in group one).
Brad Hill 1032 days ago

Wait a sec. April 1 was weeks ago. But anyway -- best of luck, I'll be following the new thing with great interest, and btw ... a few of us are moving into your basement over the weekend.
sarah gilbert 1032 days ago

add my name to the "I'll miss you" list. I have to say that the comic thing does NOT surprise me at all! nothing could be more perfect for you.

i'll miss seeing your name on the company emails but you'll always be weblogs, inc. to me.
David Chartier 1032 days ago

It's unfortunate that I haven't had the chance to meet you yet Brian, but I must say it's been a pleasure working for you. Good luck in your adventures and thanks for all the fish.
Kevin C. Tofel 1032 days ago

As a comic book junkie and former WINner (guess I'm a LOSer now?) I sincerely wish you the best of luck. Ping me if you're in the Philly area and I'll bring along the first three Conan The Barbarians in Mint to show you. Congrats!
Jordan Running 1032 days ago

Sounds like a great gig, Brian. AOL is definitely losing an asset.
Gabe 1032 days ago

Best of luck, Brian. Congrats too, you deserve a nice, refreshing Diet Coke. Oh wait, did I just type that? Too late, I guess!
Craig Wood 1032 days ago

Well I always wanted to be a shrimp boat captain. Maybe there is hope for me yet. Best wishes, and thanks for rescuing me from the Search Marketing doldrums.
icebin 1032 days ago

I will miss you too.you are very kindly man.Congrats too,I will check ComicMix daily.:)
Annie Wu 1032 days ago

It'll be strange to not see you in my Inbox anymore. Thank you for all you've done at WIN! I'll definitely be keeping up with ComicMix. Sounds like you have some exciting things in store.

By the way -- ahem -- if you're looking for some fresh, up-and-coming artistic talent for the comic book publishing company... *frantically points to self and portfolio*
Michael Moncur 1032 days ago

Congratulations, Brian! Always good to see someone following their dream...

Enjoyed working with you when I was writing for WIN. Best of luck.
Conrad Quilty-Harper 1032 days ago

As Annie says, it'll be weird not seeing you in my inbox anymore! Thanks for all your help over the last couple of years. Perhaps the most surprising thing about you leaving is that no-one seems to be surprised about it.

Good luck in all your future endeavors, and I can't wait to see what you get up to with ComicMix.
victor Agreda Jr 1032 days ago

ComicMix... of course :)
It was a great honor working for you. Your work and wit made me strive to be better at everything I do.
Thanks for everything you've done for Weblogs and Blogsmith!
Pedro 1031 days ago

Thank you for all your help. I wish you the best!. We'll miss you man!.
Michael Jones 1031 days ago

We will miss you - hmm - how many entrepreneurs are left now..
Jackie 1030 days ago

Since they denied your entry of a freehand drawing of Ming the Merciless and Flash Gordon in the art contest in elementary school because they said you traced it, I have hoped you would pursue art -- yet another talent you have!
Michael Pirelli 1027 days ago

I hope you'll find what you want at your new hobby-job
Tomek 1022 days ago

That can I say good luck in new job. I think it was good decision. Greetings

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