Posted By Leo Reyna on June 6, 2013

Judging by the latest remarks from comic book writer Paul Jenkins and artist JH Williams III about DC Comics, the creative differences present at the comic book publisher since the New 52 reboot are unfortunately still there.

In an interview with Bleeding Cool, Jenkins talked about his departure from DC and Marvel Comics and how working exclusively for independent publisher, BOOM! Studios, has been a joyful experience. While Jenkins shared some discouraging comments from his Marvel days, he saved his harshest words about creative mistreatment for DC:

DC is in the toilet right now. It reminds me of the way Marvel was just before we did Marvel Knights. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about the similarities and connections. Suffice it to say they have created a culture of dishonesty that affects too many creators. And the worst part of all is that they bully their creators. They tried to bully me, and I told them to go to Hell. The horror stories are many and varied. I have a few of my own, and I have heard way too many of them from various creators who are being beaten into submission with the threat of losing their jobs if they do not play ball. DC seem to have developed a culture where they think “professionalism” is screwing a creator in some fashion, and then pretending to be friendly at a convention. Professionalism is about handing in quality work on time, or about being friendly to fans at conventions, or about working towards a mutually beneficial goal. Professionalism is about dedication to your craft, not about running around the offices like a demented gerbil telling everyone how busy you are – so busy, in fact, that you forget to do any actual work.

While Jenkins made sure to say not every creator at DC is being mistreated, he said many were being “bullied” there with the publisher’s constant editorial changes. He also emphasized how oblivious DC is to the needs of their unhappy creators and their unwillingness to do anything about it, which is disappointing to hear, considering Dan DiDio promised things would be different.

Batwoman writer and artist, Williams III, also shared his frustration with DC via Twitter, when a fan asked him about his involvement with upcoming Villain Month. Williams III responded by saying he and co-writer W. Haden Blackman were given the option to write a Batwoman issue for Villain Month, but declined when they couldn’t pursue the storyline they’ve built for two years. With Williams III’s first reply referencing a “scaly villain,” it’s safe to say Killer Croc would have been his villain of choice.

The last time DC faced a creative clash was when they told Joshua Hale Fialkov to kill African-American Green Lantern, John Stewart. Fialkov left Green Lantern Corps and Red Lanterns before his run began and DC backtracked on the controversial move altogether after word got out.

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Categories: Comics
Tags: Batwoman, creative difference, DC Comics, JH Williams III, New 52, Paul Jenkins, Villain Month