Comicsgate is an alt-right campaign in opposition to diversity and progressivism in the North American superhero comic book industry. Its proponents target the creators hired, the characters depicted, and the stories told, and argue that these elements have led to a decline in both quality and sales. The name is derived from Gamergate, a similar movement related to video games. Its members present it as a consumer protest, primarily advocating their views on social media; some have produced books intended to reflect the group's values. It is part of the alt-right movement, and has been described by commentators as a harassment campaign which "targets women, people of color, and LGBT folk in the comic book industry". Threats of violence and the vandalism of one store have been attributed to the campaign.
Comics artist Ethan Van Sciver has been a central figure in Comicsgate.
Ethan Daniel Van Sciver is an American comics artist. He illustrated and drew covers for a number of superhero titles in the 2000s, primarily for DC Comics, including Green Lantern and The Flash: Rebirth, and New X-Men for Marvel Comics.
Van Sciver in October 2010
Ethan Van Sciver drawing at Comicon fest, Athens, 2008