DC Comics has abruptly cancelled its new Batman spinoff series, Red Hood, following backlash over controversial social media posts by writer Gretchen Felker-Martin. The posts, which referenced the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, caused widespread outrage.
What Was Red Hood?
Jeff Spokes illustrated the monthly series, which follows Jason Todd as he leaves Gotham for a New Orleans-inspired city called New Angelique. Once there, he teams up with the Huntress to solve a gripping murder-mystery story, while navigating the dangers of a city rotted from the inside out.
In June, Felker-Martin described the story:
“Sweat, blood, and powder burns. Broken bones and mind control. A city rotted from the inside out. Jason’s going through hell on the hunt for an enigmatic telepath, and he’s taking us with him. I’m thrilled to be helming this new run of Red Hood with Jeff Spokes.”
Red Hood Cancellation Announcement
The cancellation was officially announced on September 10, coinciding with the release of Red Hood #1. Following this announcement, DC informed retailers:
“DC Comics canceled all existing orders for Red Hood #2 and #3, along with any future issues of the series. The company will also credit retailers for all invoiced copies of Red Hood #1, even for copies that retailers may have already sold.”
DC Comics originally scheduled Red Hood #2 and #3 for release on October 2 and November 12, 2025, shortly after the launch of the first issue.
The Controversy Behind Red Hood
The backlash quickly followed Felker-Martin’s posts on her suspended Bluesky account, particularly those that included:
“Thoughts and prayers, you Nazi b***h.”
“Hope the bullet’s okay after touching Charlie Kirk.”
Previously, Bluesky suspended Felker-Martin, who is trans and outspoken online, for her posts about J.K. Rowling. Notably, Rowling has faced accusations of transphobia, which made Felker-Martin’s comments even more controversial.
DC addressed the situation in a statement to The Wrap:
“DC acknowledges the right of creators to peaceful, individual expression of personal viewpoints, but posts or public comments that can be viewed as promoting hostility or violence are inconsistent with DC’s standards of conduct.”
Although the statement did not directly name Felker-Martin, it confirmed the cancellation was due to her controversial posts.
Fan Reaction to the Cancellation
Fans on social media quickly expressed disappointment over the cancellation. Moreover, even those who weren’t particularly supportive of the series still opposed DC’s decision to pull Red Hood after issue #1. As a result, many argued that the creative team deserved a fair chance to develop the story beyond its debut issue.
About Charlie Kirk
During a Utah Valley University speaking event, a shooter fatally shot 31-year-old Charlie Kirk only 20 minutes into a Q&A session that drew 3,000 attendees. As a result of his prominence as a well-known conservative activist and anti-abortion Christian, Kirk frequently debated progressive liberals, Muslims, and LGBTQ+ advocates. Because of this, his appearances often sparked controversy, with critics consistently highlighting accusations of misogyny, Islamophobia, and homophobia.
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Shobith Chandran