Neil Gaiman Faces Fallout After Allegations of Sexual Assault
Following a recent New York Magazine cover story that detailed allegations of sexual assault against acclaimed author Neil Gaiman, Dark Horse Comics has made the decision to sever ties with the “Sandman” and “Coraline” creator. The bombshell article, which featured accounts from multiple women accusing Gaiman of misconduct, prompted the publisher to announce that they will no longer be publishing his works. This includes the cancellation of the “Anansi Boys” comic series and collected volume.
In response to the allegations, Gaiman vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating on his blog that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Despite his denial, Dark Horse Comics stood by their decision to cut ties with the author.
Amazon’s upcoming TV adaptation of “Anansi Boys” was not affected by the allegations at the time of the New York Magazine story. However, the situation continues to evolve, with Variety reaching out to Amazon for further comment on the matter.
The allegations against Gaiman first surfaced in a podcast by Tortoise Media back in July, where he was accused of sexual assault by multiple women. The New York Magazine article further amplified the story, with reporter Lila Shapiro speaking to eight women who shared similar experiences with Gaiman. The accusers included a former babysitter for Gaiman’s child, a caretaker for his property, a fan who met him at a young age, and a woman who alleged an attempted assault on his tour bus. Many of the women described instances of non-consensual rough sex and BDSM activities.
Despite expressing regret for his behavior in relationships, Gaiman maintained his innocence in the face of the allegations. He acknowledged his shortcomings in past interactions but refused to admit to any acts of sexual assault.
The fallout from the allegations has had repercussions on Gaiman’s various film and TV projects. Prime Video’s “Good Omens” Season 3 will now conclude with a single 90-minute episode, with Gaiman no longer involved in production. Disney has paused production on “The Graveyard Book” adaptation, and Netflix canceled “Dead Boy Detectives.” However, the second season of “The Sandman” is still expected to premiere on Netflix later this year.
As the controversy surrounding Neil Gaiman continues to unfold, the future of his creative projects remains uncertain.