Controversial Marvel editor Christina Harrington who worked on a number of X-Men books including Old Man Logan and All-New Wolverine as well as Daredevil and Hulk will now be working at AfterShock Comics.
The Hollywood Reporter reported Harrington will be “the company’s first editorial hire to join editor-in-chief and co-founder Mike Marts.” They added she “will serve as the managing editor for the publisher.”
Harrington said she is “excited to start the next step of my career with AfterShock. Comic books hold a special place in my heart, and to be able to contribute to the history of beloved comic book publishers is a real dream come true — especially since I get to work alongside the rest of this great publishing team at AfterShock.”
She would also take to Twitter about the news.
A few people asked what I’ve been up to–this is it! Thank you @mikemarts and the rest of the crew @AfterShockComix for welcoming me, I’m excited to be here! Let’s go make some comic books. https://t.co/1VKumTi9bX
— Christina Harrington (@Coelacanthkiss) April 19, 2018
Harrington out as Marvel is probably great news for a number of fans of the company. Harrington became quite the controversial editor in many fans’ eyes when she got involved in the Milkshake controversy with former Marvel editor Heather Antos.
Harrington claimed victim status after she posed for a picture with Antos and a number of other members of the Marvel editorial staff.
Jerks on here can come at us, but we love and support each other…and on Monday we’ll still have our dream jobs. #makeminemilkshake
— Christina Harrington (@Coelacanthkiss) July 30, 2017
However, her most controversial position came when she made it clear she was using her power as an editor to favor one gender over another.
Also: IF YOU’RE NOT A DUDE (also dudes, too, but we see so many of y’all) PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PORTFOLIO TO THE MARVEL BOOTH AT NYCC 2017
— Christina Harrington (@Coelacanthkiss) August 26, 2017
She clearly is showing favored treatment for women over men as she wants wants them to submit their portfolio at the Marvel Booth. Now granted she does say dudes can submit their portfolios as well, but it’s clear she wants women over men. And she was rightly criticized for this point.
And this tweet, right here, is currently everything wrong with Marvel.
— Joe Saviano (@JosephSaviano) August 27, 2017
Sexist af right there. Good job not looking in a mirror hypocrite.
— William Baker (@LazyBunnyTDR) August 26, 2017
@Marvel So if a MALE editor said that to Women you would be screaming about it. Discrimination ANY WAY is not good. And your Opinion on this
— Señor Grey (@mkgeiger1968) August 27, 2017
Just a few months later Harrington would go on a screed where anyone who criticized her was labeled “serial harassers and abusers and stalkers.”
And here's the thing: I've received, like, 10% of the harassment that others, especially trans women and women of color, receive on here. I've been quiet because I'm afraid. But still, I believe what I'm about to say to the core of myself:
— Christina Harrington (@Coelacanthkiss) November 26, 2017
When we call these abusers ‘trolls’ we lean into the vocab they use for themselves. We take away from the seriousness of what they’re doing, and we give them more power to continue doing it.
— Christina Harrington (@Coelacanthkiss) November 26, 2017
If anyone else more knowledgeable than me has already spoken about this online, please point me to them. Don't want to step on anyone's toes, but I believe in women supporting women through words and actions and I can't stay quiet anymore. Make mine milkshake.
— Christina Harrington (@Coelacanthkiss) November 26, 2017
One last thing: Comic book guys, we need you to speak out against the harassment in the comics community. Please step up and help us.
— Christina Harrington (@Coelacanthkiss) November 26, 2017
Based on Harrington’s work at Marvel, she also appears to be behind a number of controversial on-page comic book decisions. She worked on All-New Wolverine which saw X-23 take over Wolverine’s codename and wear a similar costume to his. She was part of the process where Marvel replaced one of their most iconic characters with a female character, who already had her own identity. The book sold 119,786 copies with issue #1 in November of 2015. However, issue #2 only sold 55,634 copies in the same month. By issue 32 which came out in March of 2018, the book only sold 27,586 copies.
In a very similar manner, Harrington was part of the team that made Jennifer Walters aka She-Hulk into the Hulk. They took one of their more popular female characters who had her own identity and codename and gave them one of their most popular character’s title. Hulk #1 came out in December 2016. It sold 89,810 copies. The book would only last 11 issues. Issue 11 only sold 16,970 copies.
Seeing these editors who were part of one of Marvel’s worst periods of comic books has to be great news for fans of the company who want good, fantastic storytelling without hamfisted ideology being shoved down their throats.
As for AfterShock Comics it looks like they are already losing some of their customers based on this hire.
