James Gunn steps in to take a stand against DC’s gatekeepers

Aside from answering questions that fans have about current and future projects, DC Studio’s co-head James Gunn is spending his his free time making sure that the DC fandom is welcoming. This makes sense since, there are certainly going to be people who are new to the franchise. Meanwhile, there are a handful of veterans who feel like their space is being invaded.

Gunn responded to an incensed fan who felt offended that new DC fans are only just learning the names of some of the franchise’s superheroes. According to them, they don’t like how everyone is “suddenly a DC fan” and felt the need to express hate towards Gunn, tagging him in a post on Twitter.

Fortunately, Gunn stepped in to defend those who were being gatekept by annoyed veterans. His response was followed by a wave of support, and rightfully so – since the DC fandom shouldn’t be filled with hate and gatekeepers who should trash those who are just new to the franchise.

It’s understandable why Gunn would want to defend those who are being gatekept by comic book purists and veterans. After all, the director had a history of being gatekept by the superhero community before he was hired as co-chair in DC Studios. Gunn was once targeted by a Marvel fan who told him that he has no say about any of the characters in Guardians of the Galaxy since “he’s not the creator.”

In line with his support to those who felt like they were being gatekept, Gunn was recently seen talking to those who enjoy the more niche comic book titles and storylines that not many are familiar with. The director shared his appreciation towards these unknown stories, so far to say that some of them are his favorite. Gunn also showed his respect to those who enjoy, and want to save other DC content that was cut due to the old guard in DC Studios, after it was announced that he got the job in Warner Bros.

Gatekeeping in the DCU is seen as a normal occurrence these days. With people arguing which director is the best, to the Snyderverse debate, and moments in which fans would argue with the cast members because “they’re not comic book accurate.” Hopefully, whatever work Gunn does for the DCU will help quelch the divide. But for now, at least we know that Gunn would stand for those who are just joining in, as well as entertaining those who have been around for a while.