Most people hate him on behalf the various people in the comic industry that he’s ripped off over the years, or because he’s a hypocrite when it comes to what he preaches about “creator owned” characters. That stuff is only adds to why I personally don’t like him.
I was a loyal fan of his most of my childhood, I’d even go as far as to say that he was my inspiration to illustrate and read comic books. When I finally met him as an adult on 2 different occasions he was the most arrogant, pompous and rude person I’d ever met. I can only describe his demeanor as a “God complex”.
People who know me outside of the internet can attest that I don’t get too heavily star struck and act “fan-boyish” either. He’s just flat out rude in general and I’ve known several people who have had the same experience with him.
Back in the late 90’s I liked Spawn ok, but didn’t really collect any of the stuff and had no opinion of him. Then I was at a con with the Troma peeps and met him in the green room…as Vince said, complete and total God complex. He was rude to others there and an incredible ass to the bartenders and the catering crew.
A year or so later he royally screwed a comic artist friend of mine.