DC Comics artist and the creator of Batman: White Knight Sean Gordon Murphy has pulled his cover for Doug TenNapel’s Bigfoot Bill 2: Finger of Poseidon.
Murphy recently announced at the end of February he had done a cover for Bigfoot Bill 2: Finger Of Poseidon and even promoted the IndieGoGo project.
Check out @DougTenNapel ’s Bigfoot Bill comic (for which I drew a cover) ! https://t.co/nG2rWYM5oi
— Sean Gordon Murphy (@Sean_G_Murphy) February 27, 2020
Murphy recently explained he spoke with TenNapel and had the cover pulled because TenNapel has “posted opinions that are anti LGBTQ.”
Murphy wrote on Twitter, “I recently did a cover for a creator. But it’s been brought to my attention that the creator has posted opinions that are anti LGBTQ. I’ve spoken with that creator, and the cover will now be pulled from the project.”
I recently did a cover for a creator. But it’s been brought to my attention that the creator has posted opinions that are anti LGBTQ. I’ve spoken with that creator, and the cover will now be pulled from the project. (1/3)
— Sean Gordon Murphy (@Sean_G_Murphy) March 6, 2020
He added, “Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big supporter of the LGBTQ community. From the hard workers at my publisher, to my fellow creators, to the people in my own family.”
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big supporter of the LGBTQ community. From the hard workers at my publisher, to my fellow creators, to the people in my own family. (2/3)
— Sean Gordon Murphy (@Sean_G_Murphy) March 6, 2020
Murphy concluded, “I’m sorry if I hurt or upset anyone-I’ve always wanted my work to be about inclusion and about people working together. It’s a major theme in my Batman work. But I can’t be connected to opinions that hurt the LGBTQ community that’s meant so much to my life and my upbringing.”
I’m sorry if I hurt or upset anyone-I’ve always wanted my work to be about inclusion and about people working together. It’s a major theme in my Batman work. But I can’t be connected to opinions that hurt the LGBTQ community that’s meant so much to my life and my upbringing.(3/3)
— Sean Gordon Murphy (@Sean_G_Murphy) March 6, 2020
Related: Former ComicsAlliance Editor Laura Hudson Attacks Earthworm Jim Creator Doug TenNapel
Doug TenNapel Responds
Doug TenNapel responded to Murphy’s announcement explaining that Murphy was pressured by the LGBTQ community and Jim Lee at DC Comics.
TenNapel wrote, “The LGBTQ put pressure on DC and SGM for doing a cover on Bigfoot Bill 2. Sean and I agreed that he should pull the cover. It’s more important than ever that pro-family comic lovers to support my work & rethink DC for attacking my business over my beliefs.”
The LGBTQ put pressure on DC and SGM for doing a cover on Bigfoot Bill 2. Sean and I agreed that he should pull the cover. It’s more important than ever that pro-family comic lovers to support my work & rethink DC for attacking my business over my beliefs: https://t.co/gvIVUeIMGx https://t.co/cvheSVzz4w
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
TenNapel elaborated, “If Christians, free thinkers and pro family people support DC, they are supporting the destruction of my business due to my outspoken faith. The SJWs got a scalp today by having SGM’s cover pulled, and most pay them to do this.”
If Christians, free thinkers and pro family people support DC, they are supporting their destruction of my business due to my outspoken faith. The SJWs got a scalp today by having SGM’s cover pulled, and most pay them to do this. Instead, back my work: https://t.co/gvIVUeIMGx
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
TenNapel continued, “This has nothing to do with the book. It’s Jim Lee/DC that don’t want SGM to do a favor for a friend that goes against their SJW/LGBTQ brand. This isn’t a fake culture war to get super-chats. This is the real culture war.”
This has nothing to do with the book. It’s Jim Lee/DC that don’t want SGM to do a favor for a friend that goes against their SJW/LGBTQ brand. This is isn’t a fake culture war to get super-chats. This is the real culture war. https://t.co/tAoOpgYx2g
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
He added that Murphy “held out for about as long as he could.”
He held out for about as long as he could. https://t.co/MGGYkaqk3X
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
He also noted this type of behavior is “DC’s brand.”
This is DC’s brand. https://t.co/4FD3mbxgUZ
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
TenNapel then added that “The rainbow has its tentacles so far into these huge corporations that the audience has no idea they’re funding a Marxist philosophy. It’s not new, it’s old. It just takes this long to work it’s way downstream.”
The rainbow has its tentacles so far into these huge corporations that the audience has no idea they’re funding a Marxist philosophy. It’s not new, it’s old. It just takes this long to work it’s way downstream. https://t.co/KpWwrVfmBT
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
TenNapel reiterated that he does not blame Murphy. He writes, “I don’t blame Sean. I offered that he could pull the cover. It’s hard to be a guy who makes friends choose to either dor a cover or do a multi-million dollar label at DC. Bigfoot Bill 2 is going to be fine, but DC came after my business so I’m not going to be quiet about it.”
I don’t blame Sean. I offered that he could pull the cover. It’s hard to be a guy who makes friends choose to either do a cover or do a multi-million dollar label at DC. Bigfoot Bill 2 is going to be fine, but DC came after my business so I’m not going to be quiet about it. https://t.co/xgTWJQheXj
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
TenNapel then declared he would be working on a new cover for Bigfoot Bill 2. “I’ll be working on a new cover for this today! We’re about to cross the $75k stretch goal if you are looking for a great story crafted on the front lines of the culture war.”
I’ll be working on a new cover for this today! We’re about to cross the $75k stretch goal if you are looking for a great story crafted on the front lines of the culture war: https://t.co/gvIVUeIMGx
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
TenNapel then detailed the specific comments that had DC Comics and Jim Lee allegedly put pressure on Murphy to cut himself off from the project.
TenNapel stated, “It was specifically that I said Transphobia was a made up word to make people with traditional values seem like they had a mental condition.”
It was specifically that I said Transphobia was a made up word to make people with traditional values seem like they had a mental condition. https://t.co/HRv5WnVWjC
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
TenNapel then reiterated that the separation was due to Jim Lee. He wrote, “Jim Lee has his job to do and I have mine. He’s doing a lot better than me so I can see why he put his giant jackboot on my tiny business.”
Jim Lee has his job to do and I have mine. He’s doing a lot better than me so I can see why he put his giant jackboot on my tiny business. https://t.co/LYSHF8l1HD
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
He also reiterated that he and Murphy are still cool.
We are. https://t.co/Hxhd4ajSey
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
He also stated, “SGM and I are friends and he is a pro-LGBTQ atheist. His lefty friends demand we put our friendship in the closet. As a conservative Christian I’m find with him working with the gayest of the gays. My values are better than the left.”
SGM and I are friends and he is a pro-LGBTQ atheist. His lefty friends demand we put our friendship in the closet. As a conservative Christian I’m find with him working with the gayest of the gays. My values are better than the left. https://t.co/8OrIvtBHyn
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
Related: Bioshock 2 Developer David Pittman Threatens To End Indie Developer Derek Rumpler’s Career
Jim Lee Responds
DC Comics Publisher Jim Lee denied that he talked to Sean Gordon Murphy about a tweet of Doug TenNapel’s.
Sorry I did not.
— Jim Lee (@JimLee) March 6, 2020
He also indicated he doesn’t know what Doug TenNapel is referring to. Lee wrote, “With all due respect, I have no idea what you’re talking about Doug.”
With all due respect, I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about Doug.
— Jim Lee (@JimLee) March 6, 2020
However, TenNapel refutes Lee’s comments. He states, “Sean flat out told me you did, so I apologize if it’s not true.”
Sean flat out told me you did, so I apologize if it’s not true. https://t.co/0eynhkk0n9
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
He then questioned if Lee called Murphy about the Bigfoot Bill 2 cover. TenNapel asked, “Did you call him the day before yesterday about doing the Bigfoot Bill 2 cover?”
Did you call him the day before yesterday about doing the Bigfoot Bill 2 cover? https://t.co/0eynhkk0n9
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
TenNapel would apologize to Jim Lee after a phone call with Murphy.
He wrote, “Jim Lee, Sean Gordon Murphy I owe Jim Lee a public apology. Got off the phone with Sean and clarified that he did not bring up my Bigfoot Bill 2 cover. They were talking about other pressures from SJWs. I’m getting to work today on a new cover. Just needed to clear Jim’s name first.”
@JimLee @Sean_G_Murphy i owe Jim Lee a public apology. Got off the phone with Sean and clarified that he did not bring up my Bigfoot Bill 2 cover. They were talking about other pressures from SJWs. I'm getting to work today on a new cover. Just needed to clear Jim's name first.
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
While TenNapel apologized to Lee, he would accuse Tess Fowler of pressuring Murphy. He writes, “I’ve been falsely accused of stuff before so I don’t want to do that to him and leave it out there. When you get new information, you go public. But this is due to Tess Fowler and her twitter mob.”
I've been falsely accused of stuff before so I don't want to do that to him and leave it out there. When you get new information, you go public. But this is due to Tess Fowler and her twitter mob. https://t.co/BzRE9LWK4S
— Doug TenNapel (@DougTenNapel) March 6, 2020
Bigfoot Bill 2: Finger of Poseidon is currently crowdfunding on IndieGoGo. It has raised $74,792 from 833 backers.
What do you make of Murphy’s statement and TenNapel’s response? What about his accusations towards DC Comics and Jim Lee? What do you make of Lee’s response?
**Editor’s Note: This article was updated to include Doug TenNapel’s apology and his accusation against Tess Fowler.**