DC Comics made headlines earlier this year when Batwoman asked her girlfriend, Captain Sawyer, to be her wife.
The executives at DC Comics have allegedly denied a same-sex marriage to actually appear in the comic, resulting in the resignation of two Batwoman writers.
Writers J.H. Williams and W. Haden Blackman, who have been on the comic for three years, wrote in a blog post last night:
Unfortunately, in recent months, DC has asked us to alter or completely discard many long-standing storylines in ways that we feel compromise the character and the series. We were told to ditch plans for Killer Croc's origins; forced to drastically alter the original ending of our current arc, which would have defined Batwoman's heroic future in bold new ways; and, most crushingly, prohibited from ever showing Kate and Maggie actually getting married. All of these editorial decisions came at the last minute, and always after a year or more of planning and plotting on our end.
We've always understood that, as much as we love the character, Batwoman ultimately belongs to DC. However, the eleventh-hour nature of these changes left us frustrated and angry — because they prevent us from telling the best stories we can. So, after a lot of soul-searching, we've decided to leave the book after Issue 26.
We're both heartbroken over leaving, but we feel strongly that you all deserve stories that push the character and the series forward. We can't reliably do our best work if our plans are scrapped at the last minute, so we're stepping aside. We are committed to bringing our run to a satisfying conclusion and we think that Issue 26 will leave a lasting impression.
A DCE Spokesperson released this statement in response:
As acknowledged by the creators involved, the editorial differences with the writers of BATWOMAN had nothing to do with the sexual orientation of the character."
Williams took to twitter to clarify that the decision did not seem to be based on opposition to same-sex marriage.
@JHWilliamsIII To clarify, you're not allowed to *show* Kate & Maggie's marriage or they're not allowed to *be* married, full stop?
Andy Khouri
@andykhouri
@JHWilliamsIII To clarify, you're not allowed to *show* Kate & Maggie's marriage or they're not allowed to *be* married, full stop?
/ Via
@andykhouri But must clarify- was never put to us as being anti-gay marriage.
J.H. Williams III
@JHWilliamsIII
@andykhouri But must clarify- was never put to us as being anti-gay marriage.
/ ViaBoth writers will continue on until issue #26.
Since the announcement, Williams has received nonstop support from fans and fellow writers:
@BRIANMBENDIS DC seems to be pulling a 90's Marvel at this time.
CapnCummings
@CapnCummings
@BRIANMBENDIS DC seems to be pulling a 90's Marvel at this time.
/ Via
@JHWilliamsIII @HadenBlackman I didn't think this was good enough to tweet you,but I feel I should now to show my appreciation for your work
V. Scarlotte Rose
@Scarlotte_Rose
@JHWilliamsIII @HadenBlackman I didn't think this was good enough to tweet you,but I feel I should now to show my appreciation for your work
/ Via
@GailSimone @JHWilliamsIII @theJohnChihak didn't you know? Only Aquaman is allowed to be married in the New 52. One marriage per universe
Will Battle
@iWillBattle
@GailSimone @JHWilliamsIII @theJohnChihak didn't you know? Only Aquaman is allowed to be married in the New 52. One marriage per universe
/ Via
@JHWilliamsIII Your Batwoman is the only reason I stuck with DC for so long. Batwoman helped me accept myself & to not be ashamed. Thank you
nikkita
@IamAsianBatgirl
@JHWilliamsIII Your Batwoman is the only reason I stuck with DC for so long. Batwoman helped me accept myself & to not be ashamed. Thank you
/ ViaThose who follow me know I try to reply to everyone, but so emotionally overwhelmed right now. Your support has brought me to tears--
J.H. Williams III
@JHWilliamsIII
Those who follow me know I try to reply to everyone, but so emotionally overwhelmed right now. Your support has brought me to tears--
/ ViaWilliams' and Blackman's sudden departure is the latest in a string of exits from the company.
You can view a timeline of them here.