DC Comics canceled upcoming issues of a new series by transgender author Gretchen Felker‑Martin after the author posted messages celebrating the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and defended those remarks in a later essay.
DC had published only the first issue of Felker‑Martin’s Red Hood series before the publisher told retailers it would provide credit for unsold copies and canceled all orders for forthcoming issues, according to reporting by Cosmic Book News. The comics company told Popverse that it “affirm the right to peaceful, individual expression of personal viewpoints,” but said “posts or public comments that can be viewed as promoting hostility or violence are inconsistent with DC’s standards of conduct.”
The actions followed social‑media posts from Felker‑Martin after Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at an event at Utah State University on Sept. 10, 2025. In posts on the platform X, Felker‑Martin wrote comments that celebrated the killing and included an explicit insult directed at Kirk. She also wrote, “Hope the bullet’s okay after touching Charlie,” according to screenshots of the messages that circulated online.
Student Tyler Robinson was taken into custody on Friday and is facing murder charges, authorities said. Local reporting identified Robinson as a Utah State student; prosecutors and law enforcement have described the investigation as ongoing.
Felker‑Martin defended her remarks in an essay posted to her Patreon, writing that she “stand[s] by the sentiment of what I said” and describing her reaction to Kirk in emotional terms. In the essay she said she regretted not taking Kirk’s “cruelty” more seriously earlier and dismissed her original posting as a “glib joke,” while acknowledging the post had consequences for her career.
Publishers and retailers in the comics industry frequently adjust orders or cancel releases in response to controversies involving creators. DC’s move affected print orders and distribution plans for Red Hood, a title that had been slated for multiple issues. Retailers receive credits for unsold inventory as part of standard return and cancellation procedures; industry reporting said DC offered such credits for the first issue.
Felker‑Martin has been involved in previous public controversies. In 2022 she published a horror novel that included a scene depicting author J.K. Rowling being burned to death in her home, and in 2023 she posted a since‑deleted tweet that referenced violence toward writers she called transphobic. Those incidents drew scrutiny from readers and writers at the time.
The incident has renewed debate about the boundaries of creators’ speech and the responsibilities of media companies. DC framed its response in terms of corporate standards of conduct, saying it supports personal expression but will not endorse comments seen as promoting hostility or violence.
News outlets and social platforms continue to report developments in the investigation into Kirk’s death and reactions from the comics community, publishers and retailers. DC’s statement and Cosmic Book News reporting were cited by multiple outlets summarizing the publisher’s decision and the impact on Red Hood’s distribution.
