DC Comics’ [easyazon_link identifier=”B07GVSCHNP” locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Batman Secret Files[/easyazon_link] writer Cheryl Lynn Eaton took aim at Dynamite Entertainment claiming someone at the company is “actively courting alt-right groups.”
Eaton’s claim comes after upcoming Vampirella writer Christopher Priest educated Newsarama’s Chris Arrant on free speech during an interview promoting the upcoming Dynamite Entertainment series.
She took to Twitter to discuss Priest and her view of why people who support Comicsgate are embracing the Vampirella writer. She claims members of Comicsgate support Priest as “cover for harassing non-conservative black writers in the industry.”
A mess, but they “loved” him before this, using it as cover for harassing non-conservative black writers in the industry. To them, Priest is the only one who deserves to be there and everyone else is an Affirmative Action hire keeping white men from the jobs they deserve.
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) May 26, 2019
So Priest is championed while Coates is called a racist, Ewing has Klan photos tweeted at her, Kwanzaa is bombarded with racist “we wuz kangs” jokes, and Ayo is just tormented with racist abuse.
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) May 26, 2019
She then decides to criticize Priest stating “because of his age and religion has views that are dated on gender and sexuality even though he is progressive regarding race.” She then theorizes, “I suspect he will be taken advantage of by Dynamite and alt-right groups.”
Priest isn’t one of those “always online” creators and because of his age and religion has views that are dated on gender and sexuality even though he is progressive regarding race. I suspect he will be taken advantage of by Dynamite and alt-right groups.
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) May 26, 2019
She would elaborate, “I think someone at Dynamite is actively courting alt-right groups, either for cash or due to bigoted beliefs.”
I think someone at Dynamite is actively courting alt-right groups, either for cash or due to bigoted beliefs.
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) May 26, 2019
She continues with her theory pointing to the “okay sign” logo on the airplane in the preview art for Vampirella #1.
I look at that plane logo in the preview art and the fact that a former political cartoonist has been hired for the job (strange, no?) and wonder. I see a Syaf sequel in the making–this time on purpose.
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) May 26, 2019
A number of people in the media are pushing the absurd theory that the “okay sign” somehow equates to white supremacy. However, as documented by the Anti Defamation League this idea was generated as hoax on 4chan. They specifically state:
“The ‘OK’ gesture is a nearly universal hand gesture and most usage of it is completely innocuous. Even when used as described here, the fact that white supremacists, the alt lite and many Trump supporters all use the symbol means that one cannot assume that anyone who poses with such a gesture is intending or exhibiting an association with white supremacy.”
Nevertheless companies like Blizzard have reportedly banned the gesture from their Overwatch League Arena. And they aren’t alone NetherRealm Studios changed Johnny Cage’s use of the okay sign in Mortal Kombat 11 because of “nazis.”
However, the sign is used by celebrities and everyday people and has nothing to do with white supremacy or Nazis. Here’s a photo of Captain Marvel actress Brie Larson using the sign.
NEVER meet your meet your idols. Unless your idol is @elsiekfisher and then you should definitely meet them. Congrats on your award sis. @LAOFCS we love you – Gucci 👌 pic.twitter.com/pyB08Sx9Fw
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) January 10, 2019
Nevertheless, Eaton then claims she doesn’t “feel safe at Dynamite and suspect[s] that company will be a publishing house for the alt-right soon enough.”
With Priest used as the perfect cover when people start to question the imagery. “Are you kidding? We hired a black guy for this!”
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) May 26, 2019
It’s going to be ugly and messy and wholly unfair to Priest and as a member of a marginalized group I don’t feel safe at Dynamite and suspect that company will be a publishing house for the alt-right soon enough. Heck, maybe the Heritage Foundation wants some decent IP now.
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) May 26, 2019
She then appears to attack Ethan Van Sciver referring to him as “white supremacist” saying, “Dynamite will be a no-go zone for black people while trolling black readers with Priest-written books featuring cover art by white supremacists.”
You hate to see it. But that’s what’s probably on the horizon. Dynamite will be a no-go zone for black people while trolling black readers with Priest-written books featuring cover art by white supremacists.
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) May 26, 2019
Former DC Comics artist Ethan Van Sciver recently announced he will be doing Cyberfrog variant covers for Christopher Priest’s Vampirella series. He recently showed off a sneak peek of what it will look like.
Quick peek at the CYBERFROG VAMPIRELLA retailer variant that is going up on IndieGoGo this week! If you’d like to get in the spirit and support @DynamiteComics, here’s the link to their shop! Order VAMPIRELLA #1 by Christopher Priest! 🐸🏳️🌈❤️ https://t.co/M43Mik3EVf pic.twitter.com/z25lQ55Wp5
— ComicArtistPro Secrets (@EthanVanSciver) May 28, 2019
In the past, Van Sciver has faced a petition labeling him as alt-right. He’s also been the target of a BuzzFeed hit piece, and has seen CBR writer Kieran Shiach campaign to get him fired.
Eaton then indicates she will be avoiding “Dynamite like the plague.”
Yeah, me too. But what can you do except avoid Dynamite like the plague? Too late for Priest to back out now and due to ego he probably wouldn’t anyway.
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) May 26, 2019
I don’t see him listening to what any black woman has to say about this because he already sees us as paranoid and hysterical and black men in the industry revere him too much as an elder statesman and pioneer to ever question him or pull him aside to talk about this.
— Cheryl Lynn Eaton (@cheryllynneaton) May 26, 2019
Fellow comic writer Kwanza Osajyefo would chime in and agree with Eaton claiming Dynamite is courting the alt-right for money.
The former. 💰
— KWANZA OSAJYEFO (@kwanzer) May 26, 2019
Tim Doyle, who admitted he targeted Ethan Van Sciver because of his political beliefs in the past, would also agree with Eaton.
True.
— Tim Doyle- BookEXPO/BookCON booth #2731 (@NakatomiTim) May 26, 2019
Eaton, Doyle, and Osajyefo would not be alone in targeting Dynamite Entertainment.
ClownFish TV documents a number of other people who began targeting Dynamite Entertainment.
They point out that Deputy Editor of i09, Jill Pantozzi, also targeted Dynamite Entertainment because their Twitter account retweeted our Cosplay of the Day story showcasing Katy DeCobray as Vampirella alongside Alex Ross’ variant for Vampirella #1.
Comic publishers, please pay attention to the internet https://t.co/I4o5ZfIZyy
— Jill Pantozzi (@JillPantozzi) May 28, 2019
What do you make of Cheryl Lynn Eaton’s comments regarding Dynamite Entertainment, Vampirella, and Christopher Priest?