Comic book writer stands firm after Kirk comments that led to DC Comics cancellation

DC Comics has pulled the plug on the “Red Hood” spinoff after a wave of backlash stemming from remarks made by its writer, Gretchen Felker-Martin, that seemed to make light of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. As this issue spread online, the outrage grew considerably.

A spokesperson from DC confirmed that the series, encompassing both current and upcoming issues, would no longer be published. Interestingly, the first book had already been sent out when the cancellation was announced, prompting retailers to return the copies they had received.

Two days prior, Felker-Martin posted a comment on social media regarding Kirk’s death, which she later referred to as “appealing.” In her Patreon blog, she clarified, “I stand by the emotion of what I said. Kirk was evil. He can no longer hurt us, although his cruelty lingered, like a bad smell for years to come.”

In an interview with the Comic Journal, Felker-Martin expressed no regrets regarding her statements about Kirk, whom she referred to as an “obvious Nazi” during her lifetime. She insisted, “I had no regrets about what I said about him.”

Amid this controversy, DC Comics has reiterated its commitment to fostering a positive environment for creators and communities. They also emphasized that any public statements promoting hostility or violence were contrary to the company’s conduct standards.

Felker-Martin acknowledged in her interview that her posts reflected moments of poor impulse control. “I thought it was another moment, but of course I knew it would be a problem for DC, and as soon as I said it, I recognized the mistake,” she admitted.

Despite this, she remained largely unapologetic in her direct statements, suggesting that downplaying Kirk’s actions would undermine their severity. She positioned her comments within a broader conversation about violence and its implications, stating, “The violent hypocrisy of people like Kirk makes that summary almost appealing, but there’s a deeper truth that needs to be addressed.”

Aside from her work on “Red Hood,” Felker-Martin has made a name for herself in the science fiction and horror genre, with bestselling titles to her credit. One significant work titled “Manhunt” revolves around the fictional murder of J.K. Rowling, showcasing her penchant for provocative storytelling.

As of now, attempts to reach Felker-Martin for further comment were unsuccessful.