Ellis: I have never abused anyone
‘Transmetroplitan’ and ‘Castlevania’ writer responds to sexual misconduct allegations
Following several sexual misconduct allegations surfacing online this week, British comic book and television writer Warren Ellis has responded with a lengthy statement on social media yesterday.
“I have never considered myself famous or powerful, to the point where I’ve made a lot of bad jokes about it for twenty-odd years,” Ellis wrote in a statement that he posted on Twitter. “It had never really occurred to me that other people didn’t see it the same way — that I was not engaging as an equal when gifted with attention, but acting from a position of power and privilege. I did not take that into account in a number of my personal interactions and this was a mistake and I own it.
“While I’ve made many bad choices in my past, and I’ve said a lot of wrong things, let me be clear, I have never consciously coerced, manipulated, or abused anyone, nor have I ever assaulted anybody,” the 52-year-old continued.
“I have always tried to aid and support women in their lives and careers, but I have hurt many people that I had no intention of hurting. I am culpable. I take responsibility for my mistakes. I will do better,” he went on.
He ended the statement by apologising for “these mistakes” and the promised that he will “listen, learn and strive to be a better human being.”
Earlier in the week, writer and editor Katie West, on Twitter, accused Ellis of taking advantage of impressionable young women.
COMIC WRITER-ARTIST CAMERON STEWART FIRED
After allegations of sexual misconduct against prominent comic book writer and artist Cameron Stewart surfaced online earlier in the week, an upcoming DC project has decided to drop him, according to Bleeding Cool, a news later confirmed by CBR. The creative team for the Image Comics series Ice Cream Man also reportedly announced it will pull Stewart’s planned variant cover for this August’s issue #20.
The writer-artist was accused of grooming minor girls, most of them comic book writer-artist hopefuls themselves. The allegations first surfaced on Twitter, with artist Aviva Mai sharing her story of going on a date with Stewart when she was 16 and he was in his 30s. “Hey. That post about being groomed as a teenager? I’m talking about Cameron Stewart. The comic book artist. We met when I was 16 and he was in his 30s. Maybe 32? It was 2009,” she wrote.
“Took me a long time to realise what had actually happened, what he was doing, and that we were never actually friends,” she added.
Following Mai’s revelations, several other women have come forward with similar stories regarding Stewart.