Marvel under fire for banning writers submitting comics about ‘alternative lifestyle advocacies’

When Marvel asked writers to submit comics under their new Create Your Own feature, it almost became easier to list what you could write about, rather than what you couldn’t.

In a bid to launch the new platform, which allows fans to create original comic strips using Marvel characters and stock background illustrations, users were given an exhaustive list of what they couldn’t write about in the programme.

And in a long list of prohibited themes, plots and characters – including “noises related to external bodily functions”, “bare midriffs” and “double entendres” laid one dynamite point of controversy – any mention of “politics, including alternative lifestyle advocacies” is prohibited, wrote The Verge.

And to lay it on thick, the organisation emphasised that Create Your Own users could not write about  “controversial topics” of any kind, including “social issues”.

Comic book critic Matt Santorini pointed out exactly what the move from Marvel indicated to its audiences.

Oh @Marvel. I was so going to let this one pass. But you HAD to end the year by launching a product that prohibits depicting gay people.

“No politics, including ‘alternative lifestyle advocacies’”

Tell me again how progressive this company is. https://t.co/rywr4OasZM

— Matt Santori ?️‍? (@FotoCub) December 29, 2017

And according to the journalist, this is not the first homophobic move that the comic book magnate has made this year.

This year, @Marvel:

1. Told retailers that people were "sick of diversity"
2. Said artists don't sell books
3. Made Nazi Captain America their summer event
4. Partnered with an arms dealer on propaganda
5. Mocked fans in Not Brand Echh
6. Hired a sexual harasser as VP-New Media— Matt Santori ?️‍? (@FotoCub) December 29, 2017

Naturally, other queer fans of the Marvel series were outraged and confused by Marvel’s swipe at the LGBT community.

"No politics, including 'alternative lifestyle advocacies". Wow, this is very 1960s homophobia. Retro.— T (@T_MECE) December 29, 2017

Cackling @ Marvel thinking they can sustain a fanfic website and not allow lgbt shipping— Todoroki Shoto (@lokibibliophile) December 30, 2017

@JoeQuesada claims it's "totally an accident" all their LGBT stuff is canned while we know for a fact Marvel has actively censored queer content in their books they now have a policy that says "alternative lifestyle advocacies” are against the rules.

— Alexis Sara (@TransComics) December 29, 2017