Art is not meant to be censored. Here’s why I’m calling for a ban on Marvel Comics.

Marvel Comics has pulled famed Italian illustrator Milo Manara from their upcoming variant covers for Spider-Woman #1, Thor #2 and Avengers and X-Men: AXIS #1. Due to accusations of “sexism” in what was called “Spider-Butt-Gate” by the press, primarily pop culture sites like TheMarySue.com. Although TheMarySue.com’s work in female representation in pop culture and the arts in commendable, I firmly believe that they got it wrong with the witch hunt of artist Milo Manara.

Let’s be clear the covers that Manara was commissioned to do were limited variant covers and not the regular covers that will hit every newsstand worldwide. Even Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Axel Alonso stated, “He [Manara] is a world-renowned artist with a huge fan base, and his variants…are aimed at people who appreciate his art and his style.”

So what’s the deal Marvel? You’re putting artists out of work because the some people took offense to the covers? Have the backbone to diversify your industry and not conform to outside influences that honestly probably don’t even buy comic books anymore.

I’ve got a theory that I’d like to try out. I’m created a petition asking that people drop any and all Marvel titles from their pull lists or restrain from buying any books from the publisher for the next 3 months. To continue your support of your local comic book store I suggest comic book readers to pick up books from various publishers that give artistic freedom to their artists and writers. Offhand I’d suggest anything from Image Comics, Dark Horse, IDW, Action Lab Comics, Top Cow, Archie Comics and Dynamite Comics. I implore readers to buy books from those publishers to substitute their Marvel books. Trust me, you’re not going to miss much and you might even discover a new book or two.

This whole “crisis” reminds me of when attorney-general, John Ashcroft, had the half-naked statue of the Spirit of Justice covered up because he was annoyed at being photographed in front of the exposed right breast.

Yes, this is that stupid. Marvel originally commissioned Manara to do the work knowing full-heartedly what the Italian artist was best known for. Hell he’s even done work for them in the past. Stand by the creators and artists because without them we the readers have nothing.