DC Comics canceled its newly launched Red Hood monthly series on Wednesday, hours after the first issue hit shelves, after the book's writer reposted a news article about the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and added comments that the publisher said were inconsistent with its standards of conduct.
The move came the same day Kirk, 31, was shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem. The commentator was hit by a single bullet after speaking for about 20 minutes.
Gretchen Felker‑Martin, credited as the writer of the new Red Hood series, reposted a news item about Kirk's death on the social platform Bluesky and appended: "Thoughts and prayers you Nazi b****. Hope the bullet's okay after touching Charlie." DC said the post, and comments that can be viewed as promoting hostility or violence, are inconsistent with its standards.
In a statement provided to Popverse and sent to retailers, DC said it would cancel existing orders for Red Hood #2 and Red Hood #3 and any future orders for the series. The publisher also said it would credit retailers for all invoiced copies of Red Hood #1, "inclusive of copies that may have already been sold."
"At DC Comics, we place the highest value on our creators and community and affirm the right to peaceful, individual expression of personal viewpoints," the company added in the statement. "Posts or public comments that can be viewed as promoting hostility or violence are inconsistent with DC's standards of conduct."
Red Hood had been billed as a continuation of Jason Todd's story after leaving Batman, with editorial descriptions promising "high‑stakes action, a gripping mystery, and raw, unapologetic storytelling" and noting the character's violent tendencies. DC editor Arianna Turturro had described the planned series as delivering the sort of story "Jason Todd fans have been waiting for," and indicated the book would include lethal violence.
The first issue was released Wednesday, the same day Kirk was shot. Red Hood's second issue had been scheduled for Oct. 2, with a third issue planned for Nov. 12 before DC announced the cancellation.
The publisher's rapid decision drew immediate reaction online. Some social media users and forum commenters questioned whether the action raised First Amendment concerns or amounted to disproportionate corporate discipline. Others expressed disappointment that the series was canceled so quickly, saying they had been looking forward to the title. One Reddit user wrote, "I've never seen a comic get cancelled so fast in my entire life... DC Comics but the management there need to get a f**king grip," while other commenters called the action "lame" or "pathetic."
DC said it would provide credit to retailers for the first issue "inclusive of copies that may have already been sold." Retailers typically purchase comics through distributors and may be credited by publishers when orders are canceled.
The publisher did not indicate whether it would pursue any further action regarding Felker‑Martin beyond the cancellation of the series. Daily Mail reported that it had reached out to DC for additional comment.
Kirk's death is under investigation by local authorities. DC's cancellation and the writer's social‑media post have added the publishing company to a national conversation about speech, accountability and the responsibilities of creators and corporations in the aftermath of a violent public incident.