!['Homophobia or bigotry or hate speak': Marvel Comics exec responds to fan backlash against upcoming X-Men project](https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/homophobia-or-bigotry-or-hate-speak-marvel-comics-exec-responds-to-fan-backlash-against-upcoming-x-men-project.jpg?id=50939764&width=1245&height=700&quality=85&coordinates=0%2C53%2C0%2C54)
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Marvel Comics executive and editor Tom Brevoort pushed back on fans who predicted an upcoming "X-Men" project would be a disappointment, warning them that he won't interact with anyone who is homophobic, bigoted, or engaging in "hate speak."
The executive also affirmed that the premise behind the upcoming series would also be "the message."
Brevoort posted an image on his X account that simply showed "X-Men from the Ashes" and added "July 2024" as an assumed release window. The image was accompanied by the caption "Start the clock …"
Many of the responses from fans showcased their disdain for the modern works of Marvel.
"Why is Marvel deliberately tanking the comic industry?" one user replied.
"Unless Marvel cleans house...ridding themselves of the current writers, majority of artists and editors...it will be nothing but a countdown to more failure. The industry hasn't admitted the problem yet...until then, nothing will change," another fan theorized.
Others simply said "it'll suck," while another said the writers have already "broken" the characters "for good."
Many comments focused on what has been perceived as a very woke direction for the comics. Predictions like a male character being "too masculine" or the inclusion of pronouns were plentiful. Brevoort later reposted the image and declared that he would not engage with what he determined to be bigotry.
"Well, this X-Men graphic sure brought people out in force," the editor said in response. "One reminder that I thought wouldn’t be necessary: express whatever opinion you like, but if you show up with homophobia or bigotry or hate speak of any sort, it’ll be an instant block," he said.
"How about you tell a good story and stop shoving the message down our throats?" a fan said in response to the new post.
"It’s X-Men. The message is the premise," Brevoort replied.
According to Bounding into Comics, "the message" alludes to the idea that X-Men was created as an allegory for the 1960s American civil rights movement, which the outlet called a popular yet false belief.
Brevoort previously came back at a fan in October 2022 over complaints about comics being too "woke."
"Can you please cut all the woke s*** outta your plots? Thanks," a fan wrote on X in response to a new comic.
"I’m curious. Which 'woke s***' would that be?" Brevoort replied.
"Lots of examples…how about homo Superman for starters?" the fan then explained.
Brevoort then noted that he would have pointed out that Superman becoming a gay character was at the hands of DC Comics, not Marvel, but then said he didn't want to engage with blatant "intolerance and homophobia."
Marvel has received criticism in a year rife with failures, such as the rumored gender-swap of the beloved Silver Surfer character that surfaced in late November 2023. Meanwhile industry veterans like Chuck Dixon have been particularly critical of the direction of the once-adored medium.
Dixon had previously said that modern comics are "literally shaming the reader" with their messaging and reinforced in December 2023 that the comic book industry has seemed clueless in its attempts to win fans back.
"They think third-wave feminist comic book stories are going to bring girls back to read; no, no they’re not."
Brevoort did not respond to Blaze News' request for comment. This article will be updated with any relevant responses.
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Andrew Chapados