GOTHAM CENTRAL Writer Greg Rucka Says He Was Left Suicidal Due To Toxic Work Environment Fostered By DC Comics

GOTHAM CENTRAL Writer Greg Rucka Says He Was Left Suicidal Due To Toxic Work Environment Fostered By DC Comics

Wonder Woman writer Greg Rucka has talked about the toxic world environment he faced under Geoff Johns and Dan DiDio, explaining that he was left contemplating suicide due to the way he was treated.

By JoshWilding - Sep 12, 2025 09:09 AM EST
Filed Under: DC Comics

Whether it's The Punisher and Wolverine for Marvel Comics or Gotham Central and Wonder Woman for DC, writer Greg Rucka is renowned for his work in the world of superheroes. 

Rucka has faced challenges with both companies, though he recently returned to DC for Cheetah & Cheshire Rob: The Justice League.

Talking to Word Balloon (via Bleeding Cool), the writer was asked about 2008's War Of The Supermen being republished before next summer's Supergirl movie, and opened up on what was a tumultuous time for him in the company. 

"That was me at my absolute lowest at DC. That was in the deep end when everybody was lying to me, using me, betraying me, abusing me," he shared. "My relationship with James [Robinson] was a bad one. He was writing whatever he wanted. We were not collaborating well. Collaborating with Sterling [Gates] was great—literally was the best thing about that period. But it was just a repeated kick between the legs."

"It was toxic when I was there and remained toxic until Dan DiDio left. It was an abusive, manipulative environment. Geoff Johns was an incredibly manipulative person to me – used me, lied to me, played me off against people. DiDio did the same thing," Rucka continued. "I was made promises repeatedly, and they were always broken."

Explaining the impact that had on him, he added, "When I left in 2009, I was mentally ill. I was severely depressed and suicidal. I nearly took my life. And that's all the direct result of the way I was treated from 2006 through 2009; it was done with malice. The people I'm speaking about are bad actors. I'm not in a place where I will ever defend them again. They did what they did with malice of forethought."

Admitting that his 2016 and 2019 returns to DC to write Wonder Woman and Wonder Comics were similarly problematic, Rucka was asked what's changed. "I'm going to be perfectly honest. It's a different company right now. The people there—it's healthy," he explained, revealing that the communication between editors has improved significantly, creating a more collaborative environment.

The full interview is worth checking out, as Rucka also addresses antisemitism in the comic book industry, a possible Gotham Central reunion with Ed Brubaker, and why he's unlikely to return to the Marvel Universe for the time being. 

Dan Didio was fired in 2020, then-DC President Diane Nelson resigned, and Geoff Johns was pushed out of his executive role in 2018. It should go without saying that we're pleased to hear that Rucka is in a much better place now than he was while working under them.

You can hear more from Rucka in the player below. 

RUMOR: Marvel And DC Planning A SUPERMAN/SPIDER-MAN Comic Book Crossover - With Jim Lee On Art!
Related:

RUMOR: Marvel And DC Planning A SUPERMAN/SPIDER-MAN Comic Book Crossover - With Jim Lee On Art!

ABSOLUTE EVIL #1 Features Twisted New Take On The Justice League, A Major Death, And [SPOILER]'s Debut
Recommended For You:

ABSOLUTE EVIL #1 Features Twisted New Take On The Justice League, A Major Death, And [SPOILER]'s Debut

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

BobGarlen
BobGarlen - 9/12/2025, 9:37 AM
Rucka wrote one of my favorite Punisher runs, sad to hear he went through this, but it's not terribly unexpected from the experiences many other creators have had with DC.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/12/2025, 9:42 AM
"DRA-MUH!"
xfactor
xfactor - 9/12/2025, 10:01 AM
Damn. That sucks but I'm glad the changes are what made him come back.
Ha1frican
Ha1frican - 9/12/2025, 10:03 AM
Awful to hear, but sadly not surprising given other things that have come out about people like Geoff Johns in recent years
CyberNigerian
CyberNigerian - 9/12/2025, 10:05 AM
Geoff Johns... man...I used to aspire to be that guy.
MisterBones
MisterBones - 9/12/2025, 10:21 AM
Rucka is one of the GREATS. No shock to hear Johns was a POS.
soberchimera
soberchimera - 9/12/2025, 11:21 AM
@MisterBones - I mean, let’s wait until we hear some ACTUAL details about how he was manipulative before throwing him under the bus. The only other people who have spoken out against Johns were Ray Fisher who also didn’t provide any specifics and the former DC President who forced The New 52 upon us and had a nervous breakdown and quit because it was a failure.
UnderBelly
UnderBelly - 9/12/2025, 10:44 AM
Ray Fisher incoming (to add his 2 cents)
Android
Android - 9/12/2025, 10:50 AM
Dan DiDio being a prick & Geoff Johns again is being named as a manipulative person again (he was named several times during the DCEU fallout but people chopped it up to them being bitter)...guess it's another day ending in Y.
Lokiwasright
Lokiwasright - 9/12/2025, 11:47 AM
People don't care about people what's new?


Misanthrope is the way! User Comment Image
EducatedDefense
EducatedDefense - 9/12/2025, 12:07 PM
“It should go without saying that we're pleased to hear that Rucka is in a much better place now than he was while working under them.”

Should it? Who is “We?” Is this the royal “we?” Did the owners and editorial board all come together to discuss this story? Is this some mythological We? Is is the entirety of the internet? Of humanity?

Have “we” verified the veracity of Rucka’s story? Have we gotten any sources to back up the various components of his story? Was any actual journalistic work conducted here?

The pronoun you’re looking for is “I.” As in, “I’m pleased to hear that Rucka…” If you’re going to post an opinion, rather than hiding behind some vague, unreal “we,” own your opinion, and accept it for what it is.

Now, as for myself, I’m glad to hear he’s doing better, and sorry to hear how bad his earlier experience had been.

See how easy that was? 😊
Calcifer
Calcifer - 9/12/2025, 1:42 PM
@EducatedDefense - Dude, it refers to anyone who does'nt have empathy and sensitivity of a bedside table. Why so annoyed?
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 9/12/2025, 12:48 PM
Bummer, I liked his work on the Punisher comic.
AnthonyVonGeek
AnthonyVonGeek - 9/12/2025, 4:05 PM
A guy talks about being depressed and suicidal cause of how he’s treated at work and people come on here to make jokes and rude comments? No wonder the world is going to shit, compassion is becoming extinct in humans.
1stDalek
1stDalek - 9/12/2025, 5:11 PM
Sad to hear he went through that, he's a great writer and I'm glad he's in a better place now.

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder