Gretchen Felker-Martin

Gretchen Felker-Martin

Gretchen Felker-Martin is a 'transgender' American author and writer known for work in the horror and graphic novel genres. She gained notoriety in 2025 for her controversial views and inflammatory social media posts, which often targeted conservative figures and figures she deemed as adversaries to progressive causes. Felker-Martin's hiring to write the *Red Hood* series for DC Comics sparked widespread backlash due to her radical left-wing stances and history of offensive remarks. Her controversial comments about the October 7 massacre, as well as her public celebration of violence against conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, led to the cancellation of the *Red Hood* series just one day after its release. Felker-Martin's remarks, which many saw as inciting hate and violence, contributed to her growing reputation as a divisive figure within the comic book and broader entertainment industries.

Red Hood Series Controversy and Cancellation

In June 2025, DC Comics made the controversial decision to hire Gretchen Felker-Martin for the ongoing *Red Hood* series, intended for mature readers. Felker-Martin, known for her radical left-wing views and history of offensive social media posts, immediately warned DC editor Arianna Turtorro that her hiring would lead to a firestorm of criticism. She ominously declared, "as soon as you hire me, you're going to get between five and a hundred of the craziest people you've ever met in your life, screaming for my head and yours" .

Despite the warning, the announcement of Felker-Martin's hiring ignited fierce backlash from conservative circles, including Comicsgate, which has long opposed the politicization of comics. This community decried her hiring as part of the left-wing infiltration of the comic book industry, arguing that DC was prioritizing political correctness over storytelling. But it wasn’t just her hiring that sparked outrage — it was her toxic rhetoric and violent social media posts that made her an even more divisive figure.

Felker-Martin’s diabolical comments about the October 7 massacre, where she seemed to celebrate the killing of innocent civilians, were perhaps the most disturbing. She wrote on Bluesky: “Hope the bullet's okay after touching Charlie Kirk” and “Thoughts and prayers you Nazi bitch” in reference to conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s shooting . These remarks, which many saw as gleefully endorsing violence against political opponents, sparked outrage from across the political spectrum, including from the Jewish community and those appalled by her seeming celebration of the brutal attack.

However, this was not the first time Felker-Martin’s comments had drawn condemnation. She had previously been suspended from Bluesky for wishing ill upon one of the most prominent conservative voices in the world: J.K. Rowling. Felker-Martin’s cruel comments about the famed author, including a direct wish for harm, were widely condemned as not only deeply offensive but also emblematic of a broader trend of hostility towards conservative figures and viewpoints. Her tweet about Rowling, known for her vocal support of women’s rights and criticism of transgender activism, was particularly troubling for conservatives who felt that the left’s increasing tolerance for such vitriol was eroding civil discourse . Felker-Martin’s history of making violent, dehumanizing remarks about those with whom she disagrees raised serious concerns about her fitness as a writer for a major comic book publisher.

On September 10, 2025, in light of these comments, DC Comics made the decision to cancel the *Red Hood* series, just one day after its debut. DC's official statement explained that Felker-Martin’s actions, which were deemed "inconsistent with DC’s standards of conduct," were the reason for the series' abrupt cancellation . This decision came as a result of immense public outcry and criticism from conservative groups who accused DC of enabling cancel culture and rewarding a writer who openly celebrated violence against political opponents. In a move that further showcased their appeasement of the outrage mob, DC also refunded retailers for all unsold copies of the book, including those that had already been purchased .

Despite the backlash and the cancellation of her series, Felker-Martin remained unrepentant. In an interview with *The Comics Journal*, she doubled down on her comments about Charlie Kirk, stating, “I had no regrets for what I said about him,” further fueling the growing animosity from her critics. She defended her words as a long-overdue response to what she viewed as Kirk’s "Nazi-like" views, ignoring the fact that her public endorsement of violence was seen by many as a step too far .

The controversy was compounded when her Bluesky account was suspended for a week due to her repeated vitriolic posts, which not only targeted Kirk but also reflected her broader disdain for conservative voices. Left-wing figures like author Roxane Gay offered support, defending Felker-Martin’s right to express her views despite the violent and hateful nature of her remarks .

The entire debacle underscores the increasing polarization of the comic book industry and broader popular culture. Conservatives argue that Felker-Martin’s comments, both about J.K. Rowling and the October 7 massacre, represent a troubling trend in which violent rhetoric is increasingly normalized, especially when directed at those with conservative or differing viewpoints. The *Red Hood* cancellation is a glaring example of how cancel culture has become institutionalized in the arts, with corporations like DC Comics more willing to sacrifice creative integrity and appease the left-wing outrage mob than defend the values of free expression and discourse.

Celebrating Charlie Kirk's Assassination

In mid-September, 2025, this transgender author lost a lucrative deal with DC Comics following a series of inflammatory social media posts in which the author appeared to celebrate the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Gretchen posted messages expressing approval of the shooting, including the remarks: "Hope the bullet's okay after touching Charlie Kirk" and "Thoughts and prayers you Nazi bitch"..

These comments sparked immediate backlash across the political spectrum, with critics accusing the author of endorsing violence against political opponents. The remarks were particularly troubling given the context of the assassination and the climate of rising political polarization. In response to the uproar, DC Comics announced that they would sever ties with the author, stating that their views were "incompatible with the values of DC Comics" .

The controversy surrounding the author's remarks echoed similar controversies in the comic book industry, where discussions of political and social issues often intersect with creative content. Critics of the author's posts, including conservative groups and free speech advocates, argued that such vitriolic rhetoric and celebration of violence had no place in public discourse or within the entertainment industry. The fallout from this event contributed to an ongoing debate about cancel culture, political correctness, and the role of social media in shaping the careers of public figures.