This week’s Uncanny X-Men #17 featured a scene which is drawing controversy from readers, leading series writer Matthew Rosenberg to address the scene and the response directly on Twitter.
The scene in question depicts the death of Rahne Sinclair/Wolfsbane at the hands of anti-mutant racists. In the sequence, Wolfsbane is confronted by a group of men who first seem to aggressively sexually solicit her before suspecting she is a mutant. Once they discover Wolfsbane’s true nature, the individuals use language comparable to real world anti-trans speech while violently attacking and ultimately killing her.
The sequence has drawn unfavorable comparison to a metaphorical scene of trans panic violence from some critics and fans.
In response, Rosenberg tweeted an apology regarding the handling of Wolfsbane’s death, advocating donations to Trans LifeLine, a crisis support organization for transgender people.
I just want to say that I am listening to all the criticism and taking it in. I want to let other voices lead the conversation here. With that said, I do want to apologize to people hurt by our story. That was never, ever our intention.
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At the time of this writing Marvel Comics has offered no response to Newsarama’s request for comment on the scene.
Uncanny X-Men #18 is due out May 15.