Shawna Benson & DC Comics
The issue: Recently, it was announced by DC Comics that Shawna Benson and Julie Benson would be writing a series of new Batgirl and the Birds of Prey comics. In the press releases, they’re being praised for their writing on The 100 and at the WonderCon panel about DC Rebirth, Shawna & Julie promised to bring their experience and female representation to this new comic book.
However, Shawna’s experience goes far deeper than simply writing characters. As you may be aware, Shawna has a history of baiting and lying to fans in order to maintain viewers. She went as far as to venture into lesbian forums under the pseudonym “Your Friendly Neighborhood Lurker” to give false promises to LGBT fans about Lexa’s fate. Given her history, she cannot be trusted to give positive female representation to an industry which is in dire need for it.
As of today, several comic stores have publicly expressed that they do not plan on stocking the comics due to the controversy surrounding The 100 & its negative LGBT representation. But that’s not enough. Many more comic stores are likely unaware of the issues and our goal is to inform them of Shawna’s seedy past.
The campaign: Our campaign is two-fold. We have a draft letter for you to send to the bigger distributers regarding Ms. Benson’s abuse of the LGBT community. However, we also recognize that most comic shops are local and sometimes advocacy is best done in person.
So we are asking you, if you are comfortable, to go to your comic shops and talk to the manager. Tell them your concerns succinctly and honestly, letting them know that while you would like to see more comics by female authors, these writers cannot be trusted. If they manipulate some women, they do not stand for all women. If they manipulate one community, who is to say that they won’t now manipulate another community?
You can find your local comic shop by visiting: Comic store locator (US & Global)
Below is the sample letter for our larger distributers. Please feel free to make it personal and tailor it to your needs:
This is a short list of bigger comic distributers and online shops, but as mentioned above, contacting local stores is just as important and there is a huge number of them. Bring their attention to what is happening and why you will not be buying these comics.
Apple/itunes: Contact - Twitter - Facebook
Amazon: Contact - Twitter - Facebook
comiXology: Contact - Twitter - Facebook
Forbidden Planet: Contact - Twitter - Facebook
Entertainment Earth: Contact - Twitter - Facebook
Midtown Comics: Contact - Twitter - Facebook
Comic store locator (US & Global)
Forbidden Planet International: Contact - Twitter - Facebook
comiXology EU: Contact - Twitter - Facebook
archonia: Contact - Twitter - Facebook
Comic store directory (UK)
Graphic Policy is a site that posts about Comic related news so gaining their attention would be great as well. - Contact - Twitter - Facebook
If you’re from a non-English speaking country, you should still try to reach out to them and your local stores and bring the issue straight to them. Smaller stores are focused on profits and making them aware that this book isn’t something that you’d be interested in buying will make them think twice about stocking it in their stores.
If you need help translating the sample email, let me know and I’ll personally help as much as I can.
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