DC Vertigo has canceled the popular series Border Town after writer and co-creator Eric M. Esquivel was accused of sexual abuse by a former partner. The accusations stem from a blog post by toy designer Cynthia Naugle titled “X, my experience with my abuser”. While Naugle doesn’t name Esquivel in the post (referring to her abuser as only ‘X’), she later confirmed his identity in a series of tweets.
Naugle’s post details a disturbing pattern of coercion, manipulation and emotional abuse at the hands of her former partner. She wrote, “He works in the comic book industry and I want this to be a warning for those he works with and around … I hope with this, like many other women that have come out about their abusers we could make a change and hold more and more men accountable.” More women came forward on social media to detail their alleged experiences with Esquivel, accusing him of similar emotional and sexual abuse:
These are a few of the women that have experienced abuse, manipulation, or inappropriate behavior from X.
This does NOT include the many private messages I’ve received.
From what I’ve been told there’s more than this. pic.twitter.com/VqY43UUAVk— Cynthia Naugle (@TenTimesATiger) December 14, 2018
Esquivel’s other titles include Freelancers, Adventure Time and Loki: Ragnarok And Roll, to name a few. He released a statement in response to the allegations, saying:
I was recently accused of misconduct by a former romantic partner. Not recent misconduct. Misconduct which allegedly happened many years ago. Out of respect for her and our prior relationship, I will not publicly name names.
I’ve taken a few days to respond, because I wanted to make sure I wasn’t talking over anyone. We’re in the midst of a very important cultural conversation right now. One I wholeheartedly believe in.
Never in my life did I expect that I would become one of the accused. I will not speculate as to her motivation for making these reckless allegations, but I want to make it clear that they are false. Though our relationship was unconventional, we always treated one another with dignity and respect.
I heavily encourage, and will fully cooperate in, any forthcoming independent investigation of these claims, which I am confident will show that I have been falsely accused.
I have been notified that DC Vertigo has canceled the book I was working on. My heart breaks for the book’s supporters, and my creative collaborators. They don’t deserve to be negatively affected by this unfortunate situation.
Since the cancellation, Border Town artists Ramon Villalobos and Tamra Bonvillain have issued statements of support for Naugle online.
It shames me to have spent so much time and energy working with someone who is capable of such actions, and I'm sorry if the delay in response caused some confusion about my feelings.
— Tamra Bonvillain (@TBonvillain) December 13, 2018
I'm sorry to Cynthia, and any other women he may have treated similarly in the past. If I had been aware of his history of abuse, I would never have joined the project, and without trying to speak for Ramon or anyone else, I believe they feel the same way.
— Tamra Bonvillain (@TBonvillain) December 13, 2018
a few thoughts pic.twitter.com/mh1olhWvmr
— Mr. Vertigo Comics (@RamonVillalobos) December 13, 2018
We believe Cynthia Naugle and hope she finds the support and peace she needs.
I can’t tell all of you thank you enough for your support.
I’m no longer afraid of Eric Esquivel.
To all the women he’s abused, manipulated, or had inappropriate behavior with, he no longer has power over us. pic.twitter.com/PRtpP5QesS— Cynthia Naugle (@TenTimesATiger) December 15, 2018
(via The Hollywood Reporter, image: DC Vertigo)
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