After having his books and projects cancelled by DC and other publishers, comic book writer Eric M. Esquivel posted to his Twitter account and responded to allegations of sexual abuse and appears to take responsibility for the claims.



Esquivel posted his thread late Tuesday night after he denied all the allegations to The Hollywood Reporter last week.

In Tuesday night’s thread he states that he initially denied all claims but after some reflection he came to the conclusion that “I have a problem. Or, rather, that I AM a problem.”



So it doesn’t make sense that they’d simply be making things up. They have nothing to gain, and everything to lose.



The odds suggest that I have a problem. Or, rather, that I AM a problem. — Ξric M. Ξsquivel (@ericMesquivel) December 19, 2018

In the thread Esquivel, who wrote the popular “Border Town” comic, which was cancelled by DC/Vertigo, said he hadn’t spoken out sooner because he was told to wait by “well-meaning entities.”

He went on to say he wanted to apologize for how his past behavior was perceived.

Hearing my past behavior described to me this week has been the most surreal experience of my life. My perception of events, relationships, and personal dynamics are so far removed from the way they’ve been recounted, my knee-jerk reaction is to deny them outright… — Ξric M. Ξsquivel (@ericMesquivel) December 19, 2018

He continued the post and at one point acknowledged that someone close to him had pointed out his toxic behavior.

I became conscious of my own toxic behavior about two years ago, after a close female friend suggested that I examine myself from that perspective. — Ξric M. Ξsquivel (@ericMesquivel) December 19, 2018

Esquivel wrapped up the Twitter post by encouraging other men to truly examine their behaviors and to listen when someone suggests they may be hurting women and others.



DC Comics cancelled their Vertigo title, “Border Town,” Friday, Dec. 14 after Cafe con Leche Nerds requested comment about the the book’s creative team announced their departure from the book Wednesday.

DC made the decision to send out a cancellation notice Friday of “Border town.” It also said in a statement that issues #5 and #6 will not be published and all previous issues are being made returnable.



In social media posts, artist Ramon Villalobos and colorist Tamra Bonvillain announced their departure from the “Border Town” project. In their statements they also expressed their support for Cynthia Naugle, who posted about alleged sexual, emotional and mental abuse on Dec. 9. They both said after Esquivel failed to address the allegations, they felt compelled to come forward.

In her post Naugle called her abuser “X,” and shared that he works in the comic books industry. While she didn’t identify her abuser by name, others identified the person as Esquivel.

After Esquivel denied Naugle’s allegations in THR, she posted a letter from her lawyer in response to his denial.

I can’t tell all of you thank you enough for your support.



I’m no longer afraid of Eric Esquivel.

To all the women he’s abused, manipulated, or had inappropriate behavior with, he no longer has power over us. pic.twitter.com/PRtpP5QesS — Cynthia Naugle (@TenTimesATiger) December 15, 2018



