Dark Horse Comics has severed ties with Neil Gaiman following sexual assault allegations against the acclaimed author. The publisher announced Friday night via X (formerly Twitter):
“Dark Horse takes seriously the allegations against Neil Gaiman and we are no longer publishing his works. Confirming that the Anansi Boys comic series and collected volume have been canceled.”
The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman
The allegations stem from a Tortoise Media investigation that detailed accounts from four women. Two came forward in early July 2024, with two others sharing their experiences later that month. The accusations describe troubling encounters with Gaiman, renowned for his works Coraline and The Sandman.
These revelations have caused a ripple effect, halting or canceling multiple Gaiman projects across platforms.
Gaiman’s Response
In response to the allegations, Gaiman addressed the accusations in a personal blog post, firmly denying any involvement in non-consensual activities:
“As I read through this latest collection of accounts, there are moments I half-recognise and moments I don’t, descriptions of things that happened sitting beside things that emphatically did not happen,” he wrote. “I’m far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.”
Later in the same post, Gaiman reflected on his past behavior, acknowledging personal failings while maintaining his innocence:
“I could have and should have done so much better… I don’t accept there was any abuse. To repeat, I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. I am prepared to take responsibility for any missteps I made. I’m not willing to turn my back on the truth, and I can’t accept being described as someone I am not, and cannot and will not admit to doing things I didn’t do.”
Impact on Gaiman’s Projects
The fallout from these allegations has been significant, affecting several high-profile projects:
- Good Omens: The Prime Video series based on the book co-written by Gaiman and Terry Pratchett will conclude with a single 90-minute episode instead of a full third season. Gaiman has exited his creative role on the series, and production was paused in September 2024 following the allegations.
- The Graveyard Book: Disney halted its planned adaptation of Gaiman’s 2008 YA novel in light of the accusations.
- Netflix’s Sandman Universe: While production resumed on Season 2 of The Sandman in November 2023, post-Hollywood strikes, the allegations cast a shadow over the project. Netflix also canceled Dead Boy Detectives, another series based on Gaiman’s work, after its first season.
Gaiman’s Career Under Scrutiny
The Anansi Boys comic series is the latest casualty in a string of projects impacted by the allegations. Known for his imaginative storytelling and influential works, Gaiman’s career is now overshadowed by controversy.
As the entertainment industry grapples with these revelations, the future of Gaiman’s creative output remains uncertain.
What’s Next for the Neil Gaiman Allegations?
The allegations and their fallout underscore a growing conversation about accountability in the creative industries. With more details likely to emerge, fans and critics alike are left questioning the legacy of one of literature and media’s most celebrated figures.
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