*Warning Graphic Content*

This past summer, numerous accusations came forth regarding celebrated and award-winning writer Neil Gaiman. Rumors have swirled for some time about the writer, with one creator saying to me “I wonder when the damn will break for him” during MeToo. We never were able to turn up any specifics, only rumors, but Vulture has released an article full of graphic allegations including sexual assault painting a picture of a man with no respect for boundaries.

The article goes into detail of numerous encounters Gaiman has had with employees, fans, and more over many years. Allegations mainly take place in Gaiman’s 40s and involve women primarily in their mid-20s, often vulnerable, and according to Vulture, their stories are similar with evidence of the actions including diary entries, texts, emails, messages, and police correspondence.

While Gaiman is generally described as “demure” at first, each of his victims go into detail of a man who was anything but with his demanding to be called “master,” elements of BDSM, and forced sexual interactions including rape.

Gaiman, through his representatives, has defended some of the interactions stating: “sexual degradation, bondage, domination, sadism, and masochism may not be to everyone’s taste, but between consenting adults, BDSM is lawful,” which can be interpreted as an admission at least some occurred. What Gaiman and his representatives ignore is the consensual aspects of BDSM. That’s the difference between acts involving BDSM and outright abuse.

Vulture goes into some detail of Gaiman’s upbringing in the Church of Scientology. Scientology has been rife with stories of abuse by its members as well as covering up such abuse. But, overall, you get a sense that his was a life where excess was fueled by others.

Vulture also examines his and Amanda Palmer’s relationship including bringing others into it and eventually their falling out over his infidelity and issues he was having concerning his own trauma. But overall, it paints a picture of a man who does not respect lines stated by others and took advantage of his position taking advantage of others. Gaiman and Palmer are still battling in their divorce and Gaiman’s representatives allege that Palmer is a “major force,” driving these stories. Even if she’s the reason they’re coming out, the accusations are crimes that have been covered up for years.

The details in the Vulture reporting are shocking and full of graphic detail shattering perceptions of a man many would have described as a feminist but clearly hiding darker inclinations.

The accusations have had a recent impact on Gaiman’s career. Good Omens‘ return was cut down for its third season. Gaiman left the series in October 2024 with production halted in September 2024 after the initial allegations were released. The third season was reduced to one single 90-minute episode. As far as comics, Dark Horse is currently publishing a comic adaptation of Anansi Boys which was initially released in June 2024 and has two more issues being released in the next few months. DC seems to have seen the writing on the wall for quite some time as the relaunched “Sandman Universe” has seen few releases over the past year after an initial heavy push. Running for six years, there were 14 releases with just one released in 2024 and two series in each of the two years preceding that. John Constantine: Dead in America #11, the finale of that series, was released in December 2024. When the trade collection is released in February, it looks like its branding of “Sandman Universe” has been removed from the trade dress.