The comic book artist due to work on the latest Superman series has decided to quit over the controversy of hiring an anti-gay campaigner to write the stories.

Chris Sprouse, who made the appointment yesterday (5 March), said he ‘wasn’t comfortable’ with the backlash following the appointment of Orson Scott Card.

Superman fans and gay rights groups blasted DC Comics’ decision to hire the Card, author of the Ender’s Game series and has said marriage equality would lead to the end of civilization.

‘It took a lot of thought to come to this conclusion, but I’ve decided to step back as the artist on this story,’ Sprouse said.

‘The media surrounding the story reached the point where it took away from the actual statement, and that’s something I wasn’t comfortable with.

‘My relationship with DC Comics remains as strong as ever and I look forward to my next project with them.’

In response to Sprouse’s comment, DC Comics said: ‘We fully support, understand and respect Chris’s decision to step back from his Adventures of Superman assignment. Chris is a hugely talented artist, and we’re excited to work with him on his next DC Comics project.

‘In the meantime, we will re-solicit the story at a later date when a new artist is hired.’

Adventures of Superman is scheduled to launch online 29 April, with a print edition following in May.