I have been thinking about this matter as well, myself. I am an adult fan of Star vs. the Forces of Evil and have loyally supported the show – for example, by telling my friends about it, by writing about it, and by purchasing episodes on Amazon as well as buying the comics and the guidebook.



I have had an interest for a long, long time in animation, art, and writing. I think the show is well-written with well-designed characters, and I have enjoyed taking my training in literary criticism and applying it to the show in order to demonstrate there’s a lot of thought and care put into it. As far as I can tell, few people are doing that kind of in-depth analysis.



I am deeply troubled by Sabrina Cotugno’s words. It appears to me that she believes that it is inherently inappropriate for older fans to like a work meant for a younger audience simply because they might have contact with those younger people. This is not a game. That kind of insinuation can ruin – and has ruined – people’s personal and professional lives. If Sabrina Cotugno had said about me the things that I have seen her say about others, you had better believe that I would be consulting a lawyer.

I don’t need headaches like that in my life. I don’t want to have to retain a lawyer’s services just to be able to continue writing about a cartoon show without fear of being defamed by someone who thinks (wrongly) that I am up to no good. It is ridiculous. Do people think animation is made in a vacuum? It is made by adult professionals – adults who spent time writing, drawing, and thinking about it.



I’d like to add this as well: I support the right of all artists and writers to draw and write what they want, and I support the right of their audience to read it. I am an ardent supporter of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund – I have been ever since I discovered Omaha the Cat Dancer and the free speech controversy around it – and I will continue to support free speech for artists and virulently oppose draconian laws. I am appalled, quite frankly, to see artists attacking one another over the content of their work, as that weakens the rights for all artists.

I would prefer not to stop writing about Star vs. the Forces of Evil; I truly enjoy the show, and I enjoy writing about it. It’s wonderful and well-made. But if Sabrina Cotugno’s opinion represents that of the show staff in general, then I think it is a sign that I should move on.

