Action Comics Writer Dan Jurgens Comes Under Attack for “Fat Shaming”

John F. Trent |

Mar 21, 2018

Action Comics and Batman Beyond scribe Dan Jurgens has come under attack for reportedly “fat shaming” a guy he is sitting next to on an airplane.

Jurgens tweeted:

Immense fat guy shoehorned into the seat next to me. Seriously, these folks need to buy two seats or first class.

— Dan Jurgens (@thedanjurgens) March 21, 2018

He would follow it up:

When the belly fat pours over the armrest Jabba the Hutt style it gets ridiculous.

— Dan Jurgens (@thedanjurgens) March 21, 2018

That’s when the hate came pouring in.

Rude, Dan. And gross.

But above all–cruel. Do you feel good knowing that any fans of yours who happen to be obese, many who likely already are ashamed of their weight troubles, now know that someone they admired treats “these folks” as an annoyance?

Cruel.

— Matthew Southworth (@mattsouthworth) March 21, 2018

I like to think you didn’t do it on purpose! But that tweet was absolutely disrespectful and not funny at all!

— Line ツ ?? (@Line_Laustsen) March 21, 2018

Dan, please stick with what you’re good at…disappointing millions of comic book readers.

— JPG (@jaypgunn) March 21, 2018

Dan Jerkens strikes again!!!???

— Raef Gotti (@IronMaiden617) March 21, 2018

You have to deal with a couple hours discomfort meanwhile the person you’re shaming has to deal with not only discrimination but health issues and now a well respected comic book guy talking shit about them on Twitter. Great. I hope they don’t know who you are or see this.

— Zidders RooFurry (@ZiddersRoofurry) March 21, 2018

Superman DOES NOT approve of your message. pic.twitter.com/rQ8tiOXNvs

— Voyages (@voyagestoys) March 21, 2018

So you showed the guy these tweets you’re using to shame and mock him on Twitter, right? He thought they were hilarious, right?

— Dan DeFord (@TheDeekins) March 21, 2018

You’re ridiculous, you sad little old man.

— amyable (@amyable) March 22, 2018

The energy spent to denigrate and ridicule an unsuspecting stranger (who is right beside you) is unnecessary. There’s a difference between thinking it and actually typing the words to tweet it. The first tweet confused me, the second just saddens me.

— macky pamintuan (@mackyp4) March 22, 2018

Fat shaming is not cool. Don’t you write/draw books for kids?

— Voyages (@voyagestoys) March 21, 2018

You wrote all those characters talking about freedom and all that inspirational equality stuff then you turn around and fat shame? Really? No thought about the psychological damage shaming causes overweight people who are already struggling with discrimination as it is?

— Zidders RooFurry (@ZiddersRoofurry) March 21, 2018

One guy decided to report the Tweet to WonderCon, where Dan Jurgens was flying to. WonderCon is a comic convention in Anaheim, California that will be taking place this weekend.

@WonderCon looks like you got a problem on your hands.

— Matt (@PercivalDev) March 21, 2018

Some people even decided to say they won’t be buying his books anymore because of the Tweet.

Fat shaming? Niiiice. Checks bio, and makes sure what books NOT TO BUY.

— Revenant Dak ? (@Reverend_Dak) March 21, 2018

You just lost a Batman Beyond reader, and I will never buy another piece of work by you ever again.

— Kameiko (@NephthysPhoenix) March 21, 2018

Tl’dr you just lost a long time fan. I have zero respect for people who think it’s OK to discriminate against fat people or anyone. I highly suggest you put some effort into being more compassionate towards others.

— Zidders RooFurry (@ZiddersRoofurry) March 21, 2018

Hopefully DC won’t let you write for them ever again.

— Zombie835 (@elkornu) March 21, 2018

Not everyone was ganging up on him. There were a number of people who came to his defense.

I had to endure an 8 hour flight with that exact problem. Wasn’t fun, was uncomfortable. pic.twitter.com/W7OOmaDPwj

— THE MANC GEEK (@BigA85GL) March 21, 2018

240 lbs. fat guy here. Not offended and agree w/ Dan. Keep being awesome!

— G.D. Strauff ???? (@Night_Owl_GDS) March 21, 2018

love all the fake fans getting fake offended. Still a great writer, still buying your books. can’t wait for you to get superman back.

— Independent Thought (@LB_Fenrir) March 21, 2018

Fat jokes are still funny….and that’s coming from a fat guy. Lighten up people. pic.twitter.com/ATToclZQ8c

— Lono (@phattsamurai) March 21, 2018

Im a chubby guy but Im not offended. Im still way before the range of having any fat pour over any seats. I dont think you said anything to shame fat people. We all have to be held accountable for when we lack courtesy, no matter what’s going on in our lives.

— KingSlam (@SlaughterRam) March 21, 2018

As for me there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with what Dan Jurgens said. And I agree with his sentiment. If they are taking up more than a seat they should have to pay for the space they are taking up. Dan paid for his seat and he is thus entitled to the space and seat he paid for. He shouldn’t have to lose part of it because the person next to him is obese.