Jeremy Whitley and The Continuing Decline of IDW

    

Jeremy Whitley is no stranger to controversy. Be it Dragontown that was an allegory for racial tension in the US, Twilight "For the Right Reasons" Sparkle, Radiant Hope waifuing a redeemed Sombra, or even just his tendency to textwall, there is no shortage of drama whenever he releases a comic. However, a continuing saga on Twitter shows that we have entered a new era of obsession and it signals further the decline of IDW's MLP.

 The story begins like so many stories do, at a drunk panel at BABSCon. Jeremy Whitley, already well known in the community for his tendencies towards heavy allegories in his stories, insisted that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy should come out as a couple. When the fandom heard this around twelve hours later, obvious questions arose. When questions about the representation that already exists, Lyra and Bon Bon, was brought up, Whitley stated that it merely was not enough:

One of the later comment threads, Day 3

Whitley later commented that it wasn't specifically Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, but that merely any lesbian pairing would do. This launched Whitley off into a three-day-long and, as of writing, still continuing saga of him obsessing over the sexualities of the characters. Unhappy with the discussions that were being generated from these statements, he reblogged a Tumblr post of a person wishing physical violence on those who dared to question his views of sexuality in a children's cartoon.

Whitley, writer of the Eisner-nominated comic Princeless, was obviously upset. As a part of his Twitter statements, he made numerous claims about the sexualities of certain characters as well as implying several times that Shining Armor and Cadance's relationship was not loyal. That last comment is worthy of note because the existence of heterosexual relationships in the show is seen as a reason to include homosexual ones. On one hand he feels at ease to comment that a heterosexual relationship is proof that homosexual ones should be included, but on the other he denigrates it and seems unaware that much of the fandom doesn't like relationships period.

This writer would welcome inclusion of more diverse groups within Friendship is Magic. Arguments such as Jeremy Whitley presents for them however are incredibly fallacious and show a complete lack of ability to see a larger picture outside of his small group of supporters. Homosexual couples could be represented in FiM, and it would be nice. As long as Jeremy Whitley does not write them.

As for IDW and Jeremy Whitley's continued relationship with them, it sadly seems like he is on it for the long run. IDW is infamous within the fandom for rejecting fan critiques, and the sole source of direct contact with fans, IDW's forum, has been down for months at the time of writing. Given the tendency of IDW to protect its writers and artists at all costs regardless of their actions, emailing them will likely have little effect. That is not to discourage those who try, but to merely warn: after all,  IDW handles controversy about as well as their average MLP writer handles a character.

Nice going, Jeremy.