Dark Horse Comics, a publisher of Neil Gaiman’s graphic novels and comic books, has cancelled his upcoming work following sexual misconduct allegations made against him. The publisher was scheduled to release more works in the Anansi Boys series, a spin-off of the British author’s novel American Gods. The series follows the adventures of two children born to the African trickster god Anansi. However, in a statement, the publisher revealed that “Dark Horse takes seriously the allegations against Neil Gaiman and we are no longer publishing his works.”
The author, aged 64, has denied the allegations of sexual misconduct made by eight women. He has said that he has “never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever”. BBC approached the author’s representative for comment. Anansi Boys was initially released as a novel before being adapted into a BBC Radio 4 six-part show and a Prime Video TV series in 2022.
In a separate statement, confirming that the Anansi Boys series of comic books and collected volumes had been cancelled, Dark Horse Comics revealed that the publishing house has taken the allegations against Neil Gaiman seriously. He was accused of sexual misconduct by eight women, including four who expressed their discontent previously. The allegations were mentioned in a New York Magazine cover story. The women, who had played along with Mr. Gaiman’s desires to some extent by calling him “master” and continued communicating with him, reportedly said that consent and specific BDSM activities which happened had not been discussed and agreed upon before.
Gaiman denied the allegations made against him, posting on his blog on 14 January, “I’ve stayed quiet until now, both out of respect for the people who were sharing their stories and out of a desire not to draw even more attention to a lot of misinformation. 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 accepted that he was “careless with people’s hearts and feelings” and could have “done so much better” but refused to accept that there was any abuse.
The allegations have already impacted several of Gaiman’s works, with some TV and film adaptations being affected. Disney has stopped the production of its film adaptation of another Gaiman title, The Graveyard Book. Additionally, season three of Good Omens, published on Prime Video, will comprise just one 90-minute episode, with Gaiman no longer involved
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