Earlier this week, DC Comics abruptly cancelled its new Purple Hood comedian from trans author Gretchen Felker-Martin and artist Jeff Spokes. The choice got here after Felker-Martin posted feedback and jokes on social media in regards to the assassination of distinguished right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, which occurred on the identical day—September 10—because the comedian’s launch. DC Comics mentioned in a press release that social media posts “that may be seen as selling hostility or violence are inconsistent with [our] requirements of conduct.”
Now, in a brand new interview with the Comics Journal, Felker-Martin opened up about her posts and DC’s resolution. She argued that DC had had no difficulty together with her outspoken and typically incendiary social media presence when it approached her about doing a comic book in 2024.
She recalled how she advised the writer on the time that it will “get between 5 and 100 of the craziest folks you’ve ever met in your life, screaming for my head and yours.” She went on to say that originally DC had given her “no phrases or limitations” on her social media; a DC spokesperson reiterated to io9 the corporate’s earlier stance on not abiding by posts that “promote hostility or violence.”
Within the weeks main as much as Purple Hood’s launch, previous social media posts made by Felker-Martin on charged political matters, together with the Israel-Gaza conflict, resurfaced. Felker-Martin advised the Comics Journal that it was at this level that she acquired pushback on her social media actions; a spokesperson for DC confirmed this to the Comics Journal, saying the corporate requested Felker-Martin be extra aware of her on-line statements. Felker-Martin claimed she usually abided by that request till the day of Kirk’s homicide.
The writer mentioned she stood by her feedback about Kirk whereas expressing sympathy for her Purple Hood co-creators, which embrace Spokens, cowl artist Taurin Clarke and editors Arianna Turturro and Rob Levin. “I can solely put it down to essentially only a second of poor impulse management,” she advised the Comics Journal. “Had I assumed for one more second, after all I might’ve identified [that it would be a problem for DC], and naturally, as quickly as I had mentioned it, I did know.”
Felker-Martin additionally burdened that she didn’t need to work with DC Comics sooner or later: “I’ve no need to be a part of any group that wishes to faux that folks like Charlie Kirk are first rate human beings who deserve respect.”
io9 has additionally reached out to Felker-Martin and can replace this put up if and once we hear again.
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