DC Comics has canceled its Batman spin-off series "Red Hood" after screenshots circulated online showing the book’s writer making remarks that mocked the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
A DC Comics spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the entire "Red Hood" series had been canceled, including both existing and future orders, and said posts or public comments that could be viewed as promoting hostility or violence were inconsistent with the company’s standards of conduct. The first issue of the series had already been shipped by the time the cancellation was announced, and sellers were reportedly invited to return any copies they had received.
Screenshots that circulated online showed transgender author Gretchen Felker-Martin referring to Kirk with a slur and making a remark about hoping "the bullet was okay" after his killing. The posts sparked widespread online outrage and prompted the publisher to take action.
Felker-Martin addressed the fallout on her Patreon blog, writing that she had "made a glib joke about Kirk’s death" and that the impulse was "irresistible to me." She added, "I stand by the sentiment of what I said. Kirk was evil. He can no longer hurt us, even if his cruelty will linger like a bad smell for decades to come." In an interview with The Comics Journal, she said she had "no regrets" for her comments and described Kirk as "an overt Nazi".
In the same interview, Felker-Martin acknowledged she exhibited "a moment of poor impulse control" when posting the comments and said she understood the repercussions for DC. Her Patreon response reiterated condemnation of Kirk’s views and defended the broader point she said she was making about violence and hypocrisy.
DC’s statement to Fox News Digital emphasized the company’s support for creators’ right to peaceful personal expression while noting that comments perceived as promoting hostility or violence conflicted with its standards of conduct. Fox News Digital sought comment from representatives for Felker-Martin but did not receive a response.
The cancellation came amid renewed scrutiny of Felker-Martin’s public posts. Media reports cited by outlets earlier this year said the author had allegedly celebrated the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, and the writer’s outspokenness reportedly had prompted internal concern at DC prior to the Kirk incident. Felker-Martin has written for Time magazine and published multiple science-fiction and horror books, including a novel titled "Manhunt" that features a fictionalized violent episode involving a public figure.
Charlie Kirk was killed on Sept. 10, 2025; memorials honoring him have been held in the United States and overseas. The events surrounding his death have also prompted law enforcement investigations and public demonstrations. A poster bearing Kirk’s image and the words "We stand together" was displayed at a recent rally in London.
Retailers, industry observers and readers reacted to the cancellation and the revelations about the writer’s social media posts. The halt of "Red Hood" removes a planned addition to DC’s Batman line and underscores the tensions publishers face when creators' public statements become entangled with corporate reputations and customer expectations.
DC did not disclose whether the publisher would reassign the title to another creative team or repurpose the already printed material. The company’s action follows a pattern in which media companies have disentangled themselves from creators after controversial public comments. Felker-Martin’s statements and DC’s cancellation are likely to continue drawing attention as the comic industry and its audience respond to the developments.