'Batwoman' Creative Team Quits After DC Comics Nixes Lesbian Marriage Storyline

[Hector]

Interesting events...we all have different beliefs...so please let's keep it civil here...

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/batwoman-creative-team-quits-dc-175013574.html

Thoughts?

[thunderbolt]

DC is such a mess this doesn't surprise me one bit. The backlash they will get for this is exactly what they deserve.

[madmarva]

I quit following the book after about 6 or 7 issues, so I'm not sure how the relationship that was starting has progressed, but with the gay marriage issue being such a topic of discussion today, it seems DC would be missing the boat to not address it in some way. But, marrying off the lead character may not be the right way to go with the character in the editor and publisher's eyes.

[The Toyroom]

That's a little bit of sensationalism...The marriage wasn't the only reason why they left the book. It was a series of circumstances where things that were approved up to 2 years in advance were suddenly and seemingly arbitrarily taken off the table. For example, they wanted to reintroduce Killer Croc into the New 52 and then were later told "no". But of course, no one is running with that as the headline.

As far as the marriage goes...

He clarified that DC is not "anti-gay marriage," but anti-wedding.

Which seems more correct, considering that they've already broken apart Clark Kent/Lois Lane, Barry Allen/Iris West, Oliver Queen/Dinah Lance.
It seems that DC doesn't want their characters to be married. Probably because marriage is for old people

[The Toyroom]

This is yet another example (and they're becoming more frequent) where creators are leaving DC books because storylines that were approved are suddenly kiboshed and editorial directions are changed on a dime. They seem to be looking for instant gratification and aren't willing to build up interest or an audience anymore. "Throw it at the wall and see if it sticks. And if it doesn't, throw THIS against the wall and see if IT sticks." Business as usual at the New DC.

[madmarva]

Didn't Rucka ultimately leave DC for differences with the book. DC certainly has had its issues with creators since Harras took over running the day-to-day editorial from Didio. Or maybe it was the loss of Levitz reining in Didio?

It's hard to get a clear picture when neither sides or only one side talking.

Williams did some beautiful work on the issues I read, stunning layouts and art.

[Random Axe]

It's like watching the frantic waving of arms of a drowning man slowly fading into the deep, watery abyss. Everyone is concentrating on the future of DC movies, but by the time Supes/Bats comes out the publisher may be gone...

[The Toyroom]

Yes Rucka left "Batwoman" and DC altogether for creator owned stuff. And DC has lost a lot of people since the New 52 and coincidentally (?) Bob Harras became the top cop. People like Rob Liefeld, Gail Simone (but she returned very quickly in an embarrassing turn of events for DC), George Perez, Paul Jenkins, James Robinson, Chris Roberson,
Andy Diggle, Joshua Fialkov have all left the books they were working on (some before they even had a chance to start!) because of "editorial differences". And don't forget, they had a DC "summit" recently where they admonished creators for talking about these problems in the social media.

[madmarva]

Honestly, I think business should be left in house for the most part, but as you mentioned there has been so much. Remember the days when John Byrne was the only creator who left projects in a snit, lol.

Creators leave Marvel at times but it rarely seems like they are mad or at least not mad enough to kick up a fuss. The last time stuff like that happened was when Bob Harras was in charge, lol.

[The Toyroom]

WOW...read this...It's quite the eye opener:

http://guttersandpanels.com/gutters-and-panels/2013/3/23/the-new-52-timeline-of-departures

"To hell in a handbasket" is all I have to add...

[madmarva]

There's some of speculation in the article and some of it is off base, but that being said it's still a huge amount of turnover and I'm not sure it's totally complete of all the comings and goings.

I really questioned the hiring of Harras because of the slow meltdown at Marvel during his tenure as editor and while Didio will forever get my thanks for allowing Johns and Tomasi to bring Hal Jordan back, DC has been anything but under a steady hand since he arrived. It would be impossible to figure but his success to bust rate has to be about 3/1 bust.