Thanks to Those Speaking Out. We Support You.
Many within the comics industry are taking a stand and speaking out against harassment and the continued protection of those who engage in it. One reason individuals don’t speak out is over fear that they will be blacklisted and not supported by publishers (and fans). So, along with our vocally supporting these creators we as a community need to also show we also have their back financially.
This isn’t a complete list so please add individuals missed in the comments below.
Sophie Campbell is quoted in the recent Buzzfeed article as have turned down Supergirl due to editor Eddie Berganza. That’s beyond stand-up and shows true conviction. Check out her work on Jem and the Holograms, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Wet Moon, and more.
I mean yes Supergirl by me would have been awesome but like that's the smallest problem!!
— Sophie Campbell (@mooncalfe1) November 11, 2017
Joshua Hale Fialkov is a writer who worked with DC on the series I, Vampire (among others). He reportedly left the company over a disagreement about killing Green Lantern John Stewart. He’s written awesome series like The Bunker, Tumor, The Life After, and most recently Jeff Steinberg: Champion of Earth.
So proud of my pals for standing up about Berganza being what he is. A piece of human garbage. https://t.co/r5zZ1FKnM0
— Joshua Hale Fialkov (@JoshFialkov) November 10, 2017
Kwanza Osajyefo is one of the creators behind the recently released in trade paperback Black. Not only is he outspoken but also a target for degenerate comic “fans” who only want to take us backwards. That hasn’t stopped him down from speaking out.
#fireeddieberganza @DCComics. You can’t steward Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman while protecting a predator. https://t.co/m6dwO9Ib6e
— Kwanza Osajyefo is testing the 50 character limit! (@kwanzer) November 11, 2017
Dear #comicbooks colleagues, you can't be blacklisted if you all retweet. #berganza https://t.co/eEfByQZvK8
— Kwanza Osajyefo is testing the 50 character limit! (@kwanzer) November 11, 2017
Christopher Sebela is the writer behind the upcoming Cold War from AfterShock Comics, Heartthrob, We(l)come Back, High Crimes, and more.
This isn't a fun time, but it's necessary reading. We can't just shrug shit like this off. https://t.co/uhTke6n01u
— Christopher Sebela (@xtop) November 10, 2017
I get the hesitation to talk about it, I get the "will this adversely affect me?" thoughts, but that's absolutely zilch compared to what the people who spoke up have had sitting on their heads for years now.
— Christopher Sebela (@xtop) November 10, 2017
None of this shit is easy. Welcome to adulting.
— Christopher Sebela (@xtop) November 10, 2017
Tony Isabella is one of the co-creators of Black Lightning for DC Comics. Maybe grab one of his classic trades to prepare for the new CW television show or the recent Black Lighting: Cold Dead Hands #1.
I think this requires more than a no comment from DC Comics: https://t.co/fIP1DUAEIM
— Tony Isabella (@thetonyisabella) November 10, 2017
I'm with you on this. https://t.co/6sqsLg7X4b
— Tony Isabella (@thetonyisabella) November 11, 2017
Jennifer de Guzman has been one of the most outspoken individuals when it comes to harassment in the comics industry. She’s written for numerous comics (like Womanthology: Space) and prose as well as a journalist. Buy her stuff and hire her!
DC’s responses in stories about Eddie Berganza’s serial harassment and assaults in Buzzfeed, Hollywood Reporter, and Polygon, plus an on-background statement for a story on harassment I did for ComicsAlliance.
So many unspecified policies, so little action. pic.twitter.com/6TpCLUtpM7— Jennifer de Guzman (@Jennifer_deG) November 11, 2017
Lilah Sturges is a writer of comics and fantasy novels having written Jack of Fables for Vertigo. You can also check out her work on Everafter.
I’m deeply upset by the seriousness of what is in this article and I hope DC takes appropriate action and fires Berganza. https://t.co/bZhGRGQS19
— Lilah "Ban Nazis" Sturges (@lilah_sturges) November 10, 2017
Jonathan H. Gray is an artist who has done work on Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Universe, Mega Man, as well as numerous work for Disney Comics.
I love waking up and checking twitter to find heaving dumpster fires of people on my doorstep. Comic “fans” really don’t like it when you speak truth to power & question poisonous narratives, I guess.
Oh well. That’s why blocks and mutes exist lol
— Jonathan H. Gray! 😃 (@jongraywb) November 11, 2017
Matthew Rosenberg is a comic writer who has published indie comics and also worked for Marvel and Archie. He was also part of the DC Writers Workshop Class of 2016. Go check out his 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank which was recently released as a trade paperback.
People with far more to lose than me have said things. More importantly people who have lost far more already. I choose to stand with them.
— Matthew Rosenberg (@AshcanPress) November 11, 2017
But reading the testimonials of people who were pushed out, had to leave, and thinking of the people who never had the chance to work there is heartbreaking.
— Matthew Rosenberg (@AshcanPress) November 11, 2017
I don't see how that can continue when a serial harasser like Eddie Berganza is protected.
— Matthew Rosenberg (@AshcanPress) November 11, 2017
I'm not asking other comic pros to come forward or speak up. That's not my place to do. For me, I just can't stomach it.
— Matthew Rosenberg (@AshcanPress) November 11, 2017
Kate Leth is a creator who has worked for Marvel, Dark Horse, BOOM!, Dynamite, IDW, and Image. Whatever you buy to support her, it’s going to be good.
No man accused of harassment in comics has stopped getting work. A lot of women harassed have left the industry entirely
— Kate Leth 🦇✨🌈 (@kateleth) November 10, 2017
It’s not just Berganza and it’s not just DC. But we are made to understand that speaking up is career suicide.
— Kate Leth 🦇✨🌈 (@kateleth) November 10, 2017
Men do things like this, not realizing we check an invisible box in our minds that reads “I can’t trust you”
— Kate Leth 🦇✨🌈 (@kateleth) November 10, 2017
Men of comics, y’all need to speak up.
— Kate Leth 🦇✨🌈 (@kateleth) November 10, 2017
It’s been nearly 24 hours and nobody at DC has even acknowledged the article about Berganza
— Kate Leth 🦇✨🌈 (@kateleth) November 11, 2017
Tamra Bonvillain is a colorist who has worked for DC, Marvel, Image and more on such titles as Doom Patrol, Wayward, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Uncanny Avengers, and more.
At DC Comics, An Editor Rose Through The Ranks Even After Being Accused Of Sexual Harassment https://t.co/vN6N88KV5d via @jtes
— Tamra Bonvillain (@TBonvillain) November 11, 2017
Not harassment or assault based, but I have been scared to straight up tell editors do NOT pair me up with so and so writer because they've wrote transphobic trash before, and it's almost happened more than once.
— Tamra Bonvillain (@TBonvillain) November 11, 2017
I just lucked into not accepting those jobs then finding out the writer later. But I never brought it up because I was afraid of being difficult, and just kind of hoped things would go ok.
— Tamra Bonvillain (@TBonvillain) November 11, 2017
Nothing confirms this fear louder than the HUGE gap in engagement with these types of comments on twitter versus others from comics peers.
— Tamra Bonvillain (@TBonvillain) November 11, 2017
Colleen Doran spoke out, blew the whistle and was thrown under the bus. Lots of fantastic work including Sandman from DC Comics’ Vertigo written by…
Want to thank @neilhimself @straczynski @joanhilty @warrenellis for their invaluable support.
— Colleen Doran (@ColleenDoran) November 11, 2017
And now I am going back to work.
— Colleen Doran (@ColleenDoran) November 11, 2017
Oh, wait Keith Giffen. Never forget Keith Giffen. He saw my work in a fanzine when I was 17 and we've been the best of friends and working together ever since.
— Colleen Doran (@ColleenDoran) November 11, 2017
Neil Gaiman who clearly has Doran’s back…
This is true. Colleen called out respected male figures in comics and talked about specific incidents that had happened to her, and was attacked. It stunk then & stinks now. https://t.co/GD2O6McXnc
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 11, 2017
Tea Terry Blue is a digital project manager at King Features Syndicate, a co-editor of RAW Fanthology, and overall comic nerd. Go follow them since there’s tons of other folks speaking out too that Tea is spotlighting.
Ryan Ferrier has written comics such as D4ve, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, WWE, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and more.
There is fear associated with spreading this info, but it's not about us. It's not about my/our prospects. We have to decide where we stand, which should be, immovably, alongside the victims.
— Ryan Ferrier (@ryanwriter) November 10, 2017
That’s a lot of folks to support and I’m sure I’ve missed tons. So, please add on in the comments below and go support those wonderful folks.
