Marc Guggenheim is a producer, screenwriter, and comic book writer best known as the primary showrunner of DC Comics' Arrowverse. Outside of television, he has written for a wide range of comic book titles featuring characters like Batman, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Green Lantern, Superman, Moon Knight, Wolverine, the X-Men, and many others. He has also worked on several recent Star Wars comic book series for Marvel Comics. Guggenheim contributed to the Planet of the Apes franchise writing the Beware the Planet of the Apes miniseries.
Controversies[]
Over his career, Guggenheim has been involved in controversies that showcase a misogynistic demeanor and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. In 2008, when he worked on the "Brand New Era" Spider-Man, he and other comic writers attended Wizard World LA. Once they got called out for the way the publisher handled the Web-Head and MJ’s divorce, Guggenheim made a comment in very poor taste, saying: "I pitched having her raped then murdered," supposedly in reference to the infamous Identity Crisis arc where Ralph Dibny’s wife goes through that very same situation. Of course, most attendees wouldn’t have caught this apparent mocking of DC if it hadn’t been for then-editor Jim McCann, who immediately jumped in saying: "This isn’t DC Comics".[1] Guggenheim then stated "Here's my attitude, if anyone is upset about the marriage going away, then they must all be pro gay marriage," he continued. Because if you're pro gay marriage, you understand the distinction between a marriage and a civil union -- that a civil union is not equal to a marriage. We downgraded Mary Jane and Peter to a civil union. If that bothers you, then you're pro gay marriage."[2]
A couple of years later, he worked as executive producer and showrunner on the Arrowverse shows along with Andrew Kreisberg, the latter of whom became involved in sexual harassment allegations following the Harvey Weinstein scandal in 2017. By November 10, Guggenheim's partner was suspended after 15 women and 4 men formally accused him of a plethora of abuses committed on a daily basis and openly during the production of these shows.[3] On November 12, comedian Conan O'Brien tweeted, "I'm ready for the all-female reboot of America," to which Guggenheim responded with, "Sorry, but NO. Reverse sexism isn't the answer. Painting all men with the Weinstein brush isn't the answer".[4] Actress Emily Bett Rickards quickly called him out on her Instagram account with a message that painted him as one of the people who turned a blind eye and became complicit in acts like these.[5]
Bibliography[]
- Beware the Planet of the Apes #1
- Beware the Planet of the Apes #2
- Beware the Planet of the Apes #3
- Beware the Planet of the Apes #4