Comic book writer Tom Taylor (X-Men: Red, Injustice) is the latest industry figure to take a big stand against the “Comicsgate” gatekeeping movement. Taylor specifically took aim at those who push bigotry under the guise of criticism, tweeting, “I believe comics are for everyone. There is no excuse for harassment. There is no place for homophobia, transphobia, racism or misogyny in comics criticism.”
I believe comics are for everyone.
There is no excuse for harassment.
There is no place for homophobia, transphobia, racism or misogyny in comics criticism.— Tom Taylor (@TomTaylorMade) August 26, 2018
Taylor encouraged everyone who shared his views on comics to copy and paste his tweet to their own profile. In addition to the countless fans who took the time to share the tweet, so to did numerous other creators in the comic book industry, including Jason Latour (Spider-Gwen, Southern Bastards), who added, “Nuance, ambiguity, and debate are part of art. You can criticize work without dehumanizing the folks who make it.”
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Other notable figures in the comic book world who helped to spread Taylor’s message include Kelly Thompson (West Coast Avengers, Mr. & Mrs. X), Jamal Igle (The Wrong Earth, Iron Fist/Wolverine), Rob Williams (Judge Dredd, Suicide Squad), Sina Grace (Iceman), Jackson Lanzig (Gotham City Garage, Batman & Robin Eternal) and Marvel Comics editor Heather Antos.
Additionally, Taylor’s Twitter feed is flooded with his enthusiastic reblogs of fans, creators and commentators alike who helped him spread his message. He expressed his gratitude in a follow-up tweet, which read, “I see everyone copying and pasting this, and you’re pretty damn awesome. Please keep it going.”
If Taylor’s goal was to send a clear message to the comic book sphere, it’s safe to say he’s been rather successful, as the tweets only continue to pour in.