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Controversy Breaks Out Over Image’s “Lucy Claire: Redemption”

By | September 20th, 2019
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This article has been updated since its publication.

In their solicitations for December 2019, Image Comics’ Shadowline imprint announced a new werewolf-themed series called “Lucy Claire: Redemption,” written and illustrated by John Upchurch. As pointed out by Bleeding Cool, John Upchurch is the real name of Roc Upchurch, the co-creator and original artist of “Rat Queens,” who was taken off the title after being arrested for domestic violence in 2014.

'Lucy Claire: Redemption' #1, covers A and B

Upchurch subsequently admitted to CBR that he underwent six months of counseling and had his charges expunged as a result. His estranged wife characterized him to The Mary Sue as an abusive husband and father, “who fell off the deep end into alcohol abuse, extra marital affairs, and physical assault… all because his comic book found success.” Upchurch remained quiet until earlier this year, when he participated in a Kickstarter project named “Everglade Angels,” which is set to be written by Blake Northcott and Scott Lobdell.

Writer Tres Dean tweeted “The publication of this Roc Upchurch book is one of the more explicitly vile decisions I’ve seen a publisher make in years,” and “considering the sheer volume of public fuckups in this industry that’s saying something.” “The Pride” creator Joe Glass commented this “is some crazy ass bad form on all sorts of levels. On him, and on the publisher,” while Magdalene Visaggio responded by sharing The Mary Sue’s testimony from Upchurch’s wife.

According to Image’s solicit, “Lucy Claire” revolves around a once “celebrated hero,” who “was slandered and defamed, and her children were taken from her. But when an old danger re-emerges, Lucy will have to take on the mantle of hero once again in order to right the wrongs of her past and — above all else — find a way back to her children.” At the time of writing, Image, Shadowline and Upchurch have declined to respond to Bleeding Cool’s request for comment, and the first issue is due for release on December 11.


Christopher Chiu-Tabet

Chris is the news manager of Multiversity Comics. A writer from London on the autistic spectrum, he enjoys tweeting and blogging on Medium about his favourite films, TV shows, books, music, and games, plus history and religion. He is Lebanese/Chinese, although he can't speak Cantonese or Arabic.

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