Marvel artist who inserted anti-Semitic and anti-Christian messages into X-Men comic apologises: 'My career is over'
Marvel said in a statement that 'disciplinary action is being taken'
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Your support makes all the difference.Following the release of X-Men Gold #1, Marvel found themselves in trouble after fans discovered anti-Semitic and anti-Christian messages in the comic’s artwork - a far cry from the X-Men’s message of inclusion.
Indonesian artist Ardian Syaf inserted numerous references to the ongoing Indonesian protests against the Christian governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama.
Syaf has since posted a statement to Facebook on the controversy, saying his “career is now over” following Marvel’s disciplinary action.
The statement reads: “Hello, Worlds… My career is over now. It’s the consequence what I did, and I take it. Please no more mockery, debat, no more hate. I hope all in peace.
In this last chance, I want to tell you the true meaning of the numbers, 212 and QS 5:51. It is number of JUSTICE. It is number of LOVE. My love to Holy Qur’an…my love to the last prophet, the Messenger…my love to ALLAH, The One God.
My apologize for all the noise. Good bye, May God bless you all. I love all of you. Ardian Syaf.“
Within X-Men Gold #1, the most prominent references to the Indonesian protests was a t-shirt worn by the mutant Colossus which features QS 5:51, a reference to Qur’an Surah 5:51.
That section translates, according to Qur'an.com: “Oh you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.”
Marvel has since released a statement on the matter, reading: “The mentioned artwork in X-Men Gold #1 was inserted without knowledge behind its reported meanings.
“These implied references do not reflect the views of the writer, editors or anyone else at Marvel and are in direct opposition of the inclusiveness of Marvel Comics and what the X-Men have stood for since their creation. This artwork will be removed from subsequent printings, digital versions, and trade paperbacks and disciplinary action is being taken.”
The X-Men were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, who were both Jewish, while Marc Guggenheim - who wrote the issue - is also Jewish. Guggenheim pointed fans towards Marvel’s official statement on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the comic book makers found themselves in trouble recently following an executive's comments alluding to diversity being reason for the falling sales in comics.
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