Earthworm Jim creator Doug TenNapel recently took to Twitter to claim DC Comics and Jim Lee put pressure on Batman: White Knight writer/artist Sean Gordon Murphy to pull a variant cover he drew for TenNapel's comic book Bigfoot Bill 2: Finger of Poseidon. TenNapel has since walked back these claims.
Murphy -- who recently landed a Batman: White Knight imprint at DC (which as been referred to as the "Murphyverse") -- revealed he decided to pull a variant cover for a project he was involved in after he had been informed that its creator had posted anti-LGBTQ opinions online, subsequently issuing an apology to the LGBTQ community. TenNapel, who has historically been rather outspoken about his anti-LGBTQ views, separately confirmed the project in question was, in fact, Bigfoot Bill 2.
TenNapel further vocalized his own take on the situation in a series of tweets, which are shown in order here. "The LGBTQ put pressure on DC and [Murphy] for doing a cover on Bigfoot Bill 2," he wrote. "Sean and I agreed that he should pull the cover. It's more important than ever that pro-family comic lovers to support my work and rethink DC for attacking my business over my beliefs."
He continued, "This has nothing to do with the book. It's Jim Lee/DC that don't want [Murphy] to do a favor for a friend that goes against their SJW/LGBTQ brand. This isn't a fake culture war to get super-chats. This is a real culture war." TenNapel also said, "I don't blame Sean. I offered that he could pull the cover. It's hard to be a guy who makes friends choose to either do a cover or do a multi-million dollar label at DC. Bigfoot Bill 2 is going to be fine, but DC came after my business so I'm not going to be quiet about it." TenNapel claims he and Murphy are still on good terms.
TenNapel's next tweet got the attention of DC Comics publisher Jim Lee himself. "Jim Lee has his job to do and I have mine," he wrote. "He's doing a lot better than me so I can see why he put his giant jackboot on my tiny business." Lee responded, "With all due respect, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about Doug."
This prompted a back-and-forth, in which TenNapel asked Lee, "Did you talk to [Murphy] about a tweet of mine?" Lee once again replied, saying, "Sorry I did not."
TenNapel concluded his initial thoughts with tweet made in response to a different user. "It would only be tortious interference if he threatened the Murphyverse deal," he wrote. "I only know from Sean that [Lee] called him on [Wednesday] about doing the Bigfoot Bill 2 cover and it was the same day the leftist LGBTQs came after me on Twitter. They know where to put the pressure."
A few hours later, TenNapel issued another tweet, recracting the accusations he had made towards Lee. "I owe Jim Lee a public apology," TenNapel said. "Got off the phone with Sean and clarified that he did not bring up my Bigfoot Bill 2 cover. They were talking about other pressures from SJWs. I'm getting to work today on a new cover. Just needed to clear Jim's name first."
Criticism directed at TenNapel for his apparent anti-LGBTQ views goes back several years. Among other things, the cartoonist has come under fire for his stance against gay marriage, as well as for misgendering a transgender video game journalist. More recently, Murphy has faced similar criticism for his association with TenNapel, culminating in the events catalogued above.