“Nothing Is Happening”: Marvel Cancels Neil Gaiman’s Miracleman Plans Amid Scandal

Recent allegations of sexual misconduct against writer Neil Gaiman have led Marvel to pause its plans for the upcoming volume of Miracleman, titled ‘The Dark Age.’ This decision comes on the heels of Dark Horse’s cancellation of Gaiman’s comic adaptation of Anansi Boys along with its collected edition.

According to Marvel’s Senior Vice President, Tom Brevoort, who shared insights via his Substack, Man With a Hat, the production of Miracleman: The Dark Age has been halted, at least for the foreseeable future. During a question-and-answer session, a fan named Ray Cornwall inquired about the script’s status and whether series artist Mark Buckingham had commenced work. Brevoort responded:

At the moment, Ray, nothing is going on with THE DARK AGE. If something changes in that regard, I’m sure you’ll hear about it.

While Brevoort did not explicitly state that Miracleman: The Dark Age has been canceled, the indefinite postponement is evident. This significant shift comes after Marvel’s efforts to reintegrate the classic hero into its broader narrative.

The allegations detailed in a report by Vulture encompass claims from eight women, to which Gaiman has responded via a blog post titled ‘Breaking the Silence‘, firmly denying any engagement in non-consensual sexual activities.

Another Neil Gaiman Project Paused

“Nothing is Moving Forward”with Miracleman

Miracleman, originally known as Marvelman, was created by Mick Anglo. In 1982, Alan Moore reimagined the character, revealing a darker subtext to his original tales. Moore’s narrative culminated in a new order where superheroes and aliens usurp power, effectively abolishing crime and poverty.

Following Moore’s departure, Neil Gaiman and artist Mark Buckingham aimed to develop three narrative arcs that portrayed the disintegration of Miracleman’s utopian vision: The Golden Age, The Silver Age, and ultimately, The Dark Age. While The Silver Age was published, subsequent releases were thwarted by ownership disputes and the dissolution of publisher Eclipse, leaving the title in limbo until Mick Anglo regained rights, subsequently allowing Marvel to reissue and complete earlier volumes.

This resurgence led Marvel to confirm plans for The Dark Age, hinting at future integration of the character into its existing universe. Notably, the hero’s logo appeared in 2021’s Timeless #1, fueling speculation about Miracleman’s role in Marvel’s narrative. However, the slow progression in bringing the character back into the spotlight raises concerns that recent allegations against Gaiman have altered these plans.

Implications for Miracleman’s Future

Marvel Had Promising Plans for the Icon

Miracleman is inherently linked to Neil Gaiman in the eyes of comic enthusiasts, and The Dark Age is widely regarded as a reflection of his artistic vision.This makes it highly improbable for Marvel to assign another creative team to the project. Initial assumptions suggested that current Avengers narratives would introduce Miracleman amidst discussions of the ‘Missing Moment, ’ yet Marvel’s extended silence on the character suggests that those plans have potentially shifted.

As it stands, Miracleman: The Dark Age remains on hold with no imminent publication efforts. Moreover, Neil Gaiman’s strong connection to the Miracleman legacy may signal a broader reevaluation of Marvel’s ambitions for the character.

Source: Tom Brevoort, Man With a Hat; Neil Gaiman, Breaking the Silence

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