The response to the complaint in Harlan Ellison’s lawsuit against Fantagraphics has been posted iver at the Comics Journal site. It’s a denial of all of Ellison’s claims based on 32 defenses, including various First Amendment protections. The response ends with a request to dismiss the case and have Ellison pay the court and lawyer costs.

Those hoping for some rhetorical response to Ellison’s gaudy complaint or a countersuit will be disappointed except for one point that seems to imply bad sanitary habits on someones part:

TWENTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
(Unclean Hands)
Defendants are informed and believe and on that basis allege that Plaintiff’s claims are barred, in whole or in part, by the doctrines of in pari delicto and/or unclean hands.


Unfortunately, we’re advised that’s just a legal term. We also find the constant mentions in the response to the Constitution somewhat quaint, as that document has been proven to be completely irrelevant now that we’re fighting the War on Terror. Still, people will cling to what they believe in.

The exciting part of the suit is over. Now it’s just months — or years– of legal wrangling. Yuck.