Neil Gaiman’s publisher cancels future works after sexual misconduct allegations
The publisher of Neil Gaiman’s graphic novels and comic books has canceled his upcoming works after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him.
Dark Horse Comics plans to publish more works in the Anansi Boys series, a spin-off of the British author’s novel American Gods, which tells the adventures of the two children of the African trickster god Anansi.
“Dark Horse takes the allegations against Neil Gaiman seriously and we will no longer publish his work,” the publisher posted on X on Saturday.
Gaiman, 64, has denied sexual misconduct allegations made by eight women, saying he “never engaged in non-consensual sex with anyone. Never.”
BBC News has contacted the author’s representatives for comment.
Anansi Boys was first released as a novel before being adapted into a six-part program for BBC Radio 4 and a Prime Video TV series in 2022.
The comic books for the series were published by Dark Horse Comics, and a collection was planned, but the publisher posted on Saturday’s X: “Confirmation that the Anansi Boys comic series and collection have been cancelled.”
On January 13, it was reported that Gaiman had been accused of sexual misconduct by eight women, four of whom had previously made public accusations.
The fantasy graphic novel and science fiction author’s works “Good Omens,” “American Gods” and “The Sandman” have been adapted into television series and were the subject of a New York Magazine cover story.
The magazine and its website vulture Reported on the allegations from eight women, four of whom had also previously accused Gaiman of sexual assault in July 2024 on the Tortoise Media podcast Master.
One of the women reportedly claimed that while caring for the author’s five-year-old child, he made her bathe in his garden, then joined her naked in the bathtub, asked her to sit on his lap, and then molested her Commit sexual assault.
While the article states that all of the accusers fulfilled Gaiman’s wishes to some extent, calling him “Master” and continuing to communicate with him, the women reportedly claimed that their alleged consent and specific BDSM activities had happened. There was no discussion and no agreement before they happened.
Gaiman’s reps previously told Turtle that “sexual degradation, bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism may not be to everyone’s taste, but BDSM is legal between consenting adults.”
Gaiman has since denied all the accusations against him, posting on his website that blog January 14: “I have remained silent so far, both out of respect for the people sharing their stories and out of a desire not to draw more attention to the deluge of misinformation.
“As I read through this latest collection of accounts, there were moments I half-understood and moments I didn’t recognize, descriptions of what happened juxtaposed with things that clearly didn’t happen.”
He admitted he “didn’t care about people’s hearts and feelings” and could have “done better”, but said he did not “accept any abuse”.
In January 2023, New Zealand police released a report accusing Gaiman of sexual assault, but the investigation was eventually dropped.
Several of Gaiman’s works, including “Good Omens,” “The Sandman,” “Stardust,” “American Gods” and “Coraline,” have been made into television shows and movies.
Since the allegations first surfaced, a number of movies and TV series based on Gaiman’s stories have reportedly been affected.
The third season of Prime Video’s Good Omens will now consist of one 90-minute episode, with Gaiman no longer involved.
Disney has halted production on a film based on another of Gaiman’s works, The Graveyard Book.
