That people like our creations is something everyone in the comics business lives for. It?s flattering to think someone likes our work well enough that they come up with their own stories for our characters. It?s less flattering for people to emerge from their fan days hellbound to work on other people?s characters instead of their own creations. I think Jack was right: if you want to honor creators whose work you love, be inspired by them to create your own original work, not to duplicate/water down theirs.