DC Comics is bouncing back from a potential scandal this week after two lead members of the Batwoman creative team announced their departure.
In a message shared last week, J.H. Williams III and W. H. Blackman cited “editorial differences” in their resignation, claiming that their publisher wouldn’t allow Kathy Kane—the Batwoman—to marry her longtime same-sex partner Maggie Sawyer.
This week, fan favorite writer Marc Andreyko, an openly gay man, announced that he will be taking over the comic after Issue 26:
”Its, it’s true: I’m the new writer of Batwoman! and, as i prepare for the interweb onslaught, a few things: i ADORE J.H Williams and Greg Rucka and Hayden Blackman and the great character they’ve created so lovingly,” Andreyko posted on Facebook. “I am taking this job very seriously and hope to do right by Kate, Maggie, Bette and the rest of the cast.”
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Though Williams and Blackman refuted that DC Comics’ decision was based in discrimination, many were quick to call foul. The addition of an openly gay writer is sure to squash any further speculation, but to be safe, DC tweeted the following:
As acknowledged by the creators involved, the editorial differences with the writers of BATWOMAN (pt 1)
— DC (@DCComics) September 5, 2013
Alton
If DC still won’t let her get married, what’s the point of hiring a gay writer? Are we supposed to be impressed because they got some Aunt Tom apologist to tell everyone how really, really supportive of gay people DC is, as long as they’re not getting married or anything unnatural like that?
MK Ultra
Nice PR move, DC.
We can’t be homophobic. Why, some of our writers are gay!
1EqualityUSA
Do 1,000 hormonal moms have you quaking in your boots, DC?
bobbyjoe
Shouldn’t it be noted that DC also got rid of one of their only other central gay characters, Bunker in the “Teen Titans,” at the EXACT SAME TIME this “Batwoman can’t marry” command was coming down from the editors? In a move out of nowhere, Bunker leaves the Titans in the last issue, seemingly for good. None of the GLBT press seems to have caught this point. Coincidence? Maybe, but these are the same folks who hired Orson Scott Card not so long ago. How much benefit of the doubt should we be expected to give?
Has anyone asked DiDio and DC how getting rid of the only gay member of any of DC’s most prominent teams (the Titans) fits with his excuse for refusing Batwoman’s marriage? Bunker’s disappearance can’t just fit DiDio’s excuse that “superheroes can’t be happy,” since that gay character can’t be seen as happy or unhappy if HE’S NOT AROUND ANYMORE. If the GLBT press is gonna pick up on Batwoman, they need to challenge the “Teen Titans” situation, too. The timing is interesting. Are they linked?
Even if DC were 100% sincere in their commitment to GLBT representation (and I think they’re not, or– more precisely– not anymore), even if they hired eighty gay writers, a major issue behind the Batwoman controversy is how badly DC editor’s keep treating some of their most talented creators. Blackman and Williams on Batwoman are just the latest to get screwed over with last minute idiotic demands and changes by the current (bad) editorship at DC.
But some online are trying to separate these things, saying it’s not about homophobia, it’s about bad management. It’s actually about BOTH. And, hint hint, Queerty, someone needs to cover the timing of that “Teen Titans suddenly lose their one gay character at the same time Batwoman’s writers are told she can’t marry” deal.