Is there a way to stop comment_node_view from firing?
You can implement hook_module_implements_alter() and stop the hook being run for the comment module:

function MYMODULE_module_implements_alter(&amp;$implementations, $hook) {
  if ($hook == 'node_view') {
    unset($implementations['comment']);
  }
}


Once you clear the cache comment_node_view() won't be called any more.