From this week’s issue of the Miami New Times, about King of Kong “villain” Billy Mitchell:

At the moment, though, the 42-year-old gamer from Hollywood is having technical difficulties. “My computer’s not the best machine,” he says, fumbling through his AOL e-mail interface. A Portland Website has just reviewed The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters — a newly released documentary about Donkey Kong in which Mitchell costars — and he’s trying to author a response, saying his reputation has been tarnished by the film. He pokes at his keyboard with a single outstretched forefinger, making a steady clacking sound like an antique typewriter, like someone’s technically challenged grandfather trying to log on to the Internet for the first time — not the gaming genius he has been perceived as throughout his career.

Mitchell clicks on a link and up pops the review he’s responding to. At the bottom of the page, written in all capital letters, are the words I HATE BILLY MITCHELL.

It’s a harsh review, but not an uncommon one. Since The King of Kong debuted this January at the Slamdance Film Festival, Mitchell has heard countless reports of how deceitful and villainous he appears onscreen.

Wanna guess who tipped me off to that?

Guess.

Billy Mitchell. We talked briefly last week, after he called a couple of times, and we’ll be talking again soon. Keep your eyes peeled for a web-only Q&A with the man who is quite possibly this year’s biggest film villain (though he says that’s an unfair characterization.)