Neil Gaiman (Photo: Kimberly Butler)
In the next issue of Index on Censorship magazine, fantasy writer Neil Gaiman is interviewed by political cartoonist Martin Rowson about censorship, offence and how graphic novels stir controversy. You can listen to the highlights here and read the full story by subscribing or downloading the app (£1.79 on iTunes).
The interview sees them discussing Dr Who as any example of why we shouldn’t protect children from everything that might scare them; how the Hilary Mantel scandal is keeping the short story alive, and how the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is fighting a never-ending battle. “Comics, because of the capacity of offence that an image can give, will always have one foot in the gutter,” says Gaiman.
Gaiman also opens up about the only time he had to abort collaboration with an artist (“I think that was the only time I’ve looked at something and said: ‘That’s too disturbing.’”) and on the backlash he received from penning the first transsexual character in a mainstream comic (first from Concerned Mothers of America, later from trans activists).
This article is from the upcoming winter edition of Index on Censorship magazine. Subscribe to Index on Censorship magazine by Dec 31, 2014 for 25% off a print subscription.
