# Neil Gaiman accused of being serial sexual abuser **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 5, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781 "2024-07-05T19:48:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/81 "2024-07-12T03:06:00Z")
> [@Pavelb1](#): > > Neil Gaiman did not write the comic “Lucifer”. | [Publisher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_comics_publishing_companies) | [DC Comics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Comics) | | --- | --- | | [First appearance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_appearance) | _[The Sandman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sandman_(Vertigo))_ #4 (April 1989) | | Created by | \* [Neil Gaiman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Gaiman) | - [Sam Kieth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Kieth) - [Mike Dringenberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Dringenberg) - [M. R. Carey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Carey_(writer))| > **Lucifer Samael Morningstar** is a character who appears in [American comic books](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_comic_book) published by [DC Comics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Comics). He is an adaptation of [Lucifer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer)—the [Biblical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical) fallen angel and [devil of Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_in_Christianity)—and is one of the most powerful beings in the [DC Universe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Universe). Though various versions of the Devil have been presented by DC Comics, this interpretation by [Neil Gaiman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Gaiman) debuted in _[The Sandman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sandman_(comic_book))_ #4 in 1989. Lucifer appears primarily as a [supporting character](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supporting_character) in _The Sandman_ and as the protagonist of the [spin-off](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin-off_(media)) _Lucifer_. > > The spin-off series _Lucifer_ (2000–2006) written by [Mike Carey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Carey_(writer)) depicts his adventures on Earth, Heaven, and in the various other realms of his family’s creations and in uncreated voids after abandoning [Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_(DC_Comics)) in _The Sandman_.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer_(DC_Comics)#cite_note-vert-ency-1) Lucifer also appears as a supporting character in issues of _[The Demon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etrigan_the_Demon),_ _[The Spectre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectre_(DC_Comics_character))_, and other DC Universe comics. Two angels, a human, and briefly [Superman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman)[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer_(DC_Comics)#cite_note-2) have taken his place as ruler of Hell. - [SOURCE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer_(DC_Comics)) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/82 "2024-07-12T03:13:30Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > This is disappointing news. Indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/83 "2024-07-12T03:16:45Z")
Thats exactly what I said ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/84 "2024-07-12T03:25:47Z")
By the way…if Netflix Sandman ever reaches the “A Game of You” storyline, I wonder if the transexual Wanda will still be denied ‘walking the Moons path’ with the other ladies because “The Gods don’t consider her a woman.” i mean, it works because no one ever considered Gods as exactly progressive, but its still a controversial position to take. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/85 "2024-07-12T19:57:26Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > I’m always very skeptical of the “it was an open secret” stuff after it happened to a very well-known acquaintance. This dude had problems…but suddenly after accusations came out there were suddenly all these people saying “everyone knew that was going on”… No they didnt. This was part of Asimov’s persona, and unfortunately real also. I saw him on a panel at Noreascon in 1972 about “should Isaac Asimov write more science fiction.” He took the negative, but his whole statement was a very unfunny story about trying and failing to seduce Judy Lynn (at that time) Benjamin. I also know a woman he hit on. It’s not that no one knew, it’s that no one really cared back then. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/86 "2024-07-12T20:02:38Z")
I’ll bet the women cared. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/87 "2024-07-12T20:25:47Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > (On the other hand, don’t get me started on Steve Brust) Next youll be telling us Pamela Dean is a right bitch. (Just to take this full circle, cuz Brust and Dean were part of that Midwestern Fantasy scene in the 90s and, of course, she wrote a novelization of Tam Lin, which is pretty good but nowhere near as good as the one written by Diana Wynne Jones, whose most famous protégé is, of course, Neil Gaiman. ) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/88 "2024-07-12T22:30:42Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > E.G. Do people know “Good Omens” was written by him? Half written by … ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/89 "2024-07-12T23:16:56Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Just to take this full circle, cuz Brust and Dean were part of that Midwestern Fantasy scene in the 90s and, of course, she wrote a novelization of Tam Lin, which is pretty good but nowhere near as good as the one written by Diana Wynne Jones, whose most famous protégé is, of course, Neil Gaiman. I like them both, but agree that the Wynne Jones one was better. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/90 "2024-07-12T23:23:32Z")
> [@Pavelb1](#): > > Neil Gaiman did not write the comic “Lucifer”. He originated this version of him in Sandman. But the vast characterization of Lucifer in comics comes from the series “Lucifer” Beyond that, the TV show _Lucifer_ has almost nothing in common with the comic book, except in the broadest of strokes. Lucifer being portrayed as a giant himbo, in particular, is entirely from the TV show. I’m pretty sure comic book Lucifer doesn’t even have genitals. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/91 "2024-07-13T06:28:11Z")
Likewise, _Dead Boy Detectives_ is based on characters from _Sandman_ but bears little resemblance to them. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/92 "2024-07-13T09:33:33Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Lucifer being portrayed as a giant himbo, in particular, is entirely from the TV show. I’m pretty sure comic book Lucifer doesn’t even have genitals. It’s never come up… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/93 "2024-07-13T17:26:17Z")
Ouch! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/94 "2024-07-13T17:56:46Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Beyond that, the TV show _Lucifer_ has almost nothing in common with the comic book, except in the broadest of strokes. Which makes the comments earlier in this thread that that series was one way for people to have heard of Gaiman, somewhat tenuous. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/95 "2024-07-13T18:08:17Z")
My secret source being Wikipedia infobox, it says Gaiman at least partially “created” the series _Neverwhere,_ _Good Omens_, and “developed” _The Sandman_, but it says nothing of the sort about _Lucifer_ or _American Gods._ ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/96 "2024-07-13T18:13:29Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > American Gods It doesn’t say he created _American Gods_? > **[American Gods](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gods)** > > American Gods (2001) is a novel by British author Neil Gaiman. The novel is a blend of Americana, fantasy, and various strands of ancient and modern mythology, all centering on the mysterious and taciturn Shadow. > The book was published in 2001 by Headline in the United Kingdom and by William Morrow in the United States. It gained a positive critical response and won the 2002 Hugo and Nebula awards. > A special tenth anniversary edition, which includes the "author's preferred text" and 12,000 a... ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/97 "2024-07-13T18:17:24Z")
I mean the TV show [American Gods (TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gods_(TV_series)) ; it says it was developed by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green. If someone has bought and read a bunch of novels by Gaiman, then presumably they are directly familiar with his work. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/98 "2024-07-13T18:19:45Z")
Well, he was the executive producer on that TV series based on his novel; I don’t know how much more the “creator” of it he could possibly be, at that point. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/99 "2024-07-13T18:47:32Z")
Looking to see if Gaiman’s name was used in the ads for _American Gods_ (it wasn’t) I found this edition of the book. What made it an “underground novel”? > **[Amazon.com: American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition: A Novel:...](https://www.amazon.com/American-Gods-Tenth-Anniversary-Novel/dp/0062472100)** > > Amazon.com: American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition: A Novel: 9780062472106: Gaiman, Neil: Books ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781/100 "2024-07-13T21:22:53Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > > [@Miller](#): > > > > Beyond that, the TV show _Lucifer_ has almost nothing in common with the comic book, except in the broadest of strokes. > > Which makes the comments earlier in this thread that that series was one way for people to have heard of Gaiman, somewhat tenuous. I watched the show and never read the source material. I knew it was based on his work. One episode was done a little differently. It was narrated by the voice of God. Gaiman played God. > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Looking to see if Gaiman’s name was used in the ads for _American Gods_ (it wasn’t) I found this edition of the book. What made it an “underground novel”? > > [Amazon.com: American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition: A Novel: 9780062472106: Gaiman, Neil: Books](https://www.amazon.com/American-Gods-Tenth-Anniversary-Novel/dp/0062472100) Nothing makes it underground as far as I can tell. It was published in hardcover by a major publishing house. It won the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards when it came out. I read it because my librarian mother saw it come across the desk and she thought I would like it. It’s about as mainstream as a book can be in the genre. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-gaiman-accused-of-being-serial-sexual-abuser/1003781.md?page=6)