In the wake of Rat Queens artist and co-creator Roc Upchurch’s arrest for battery, co-creator and writer Kurtis Wiebe has spoken out about domestic abuse and the future of the comic.
On his blog, Wiebe writes in a “difficult and upsetting” statement that he is “deeply saddened.” He speaks about his close personal connection with Upchurch, how much he admires Upchurch’s wife, and that he ultimately hopes in all this there is “an opportunity to find help and for healing to take place in his family.” Wiebe goes on to say that,
I’m not a stranger to domestic abuse. I know that keeping abuse a secret and being afraid to speak about it are why so many people suffer in silence. It is a topic that needs to be openly talked about and there needs to be a feeling of safety and acceptance for those that come forward with their stories. It is why I am addressing this news rather than burying my head in the sand.
After spending days debating what to do about the series he has poured his heart into, Wiebe says that his mission for Rat Queens is unchanged. “I want to write stories about women that I see in my everyday life,” he says, “about friendship and to make comics that include and embrace diversity.”
It is on that note that Wiebe announces that Upchurch will no longer be illustrating Rat Queens. Wiebe says that they are rebuilding and preparing for a new start, and wants all the fans to know that they weren’t wrong to love the series.
Wiebe also points readers to Domestic Abuse Services Canada. I would like to also again add that you can contact the Domestic Abuse Hotline at any time at 1-800-799-7233.
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