Butcher Billy, a popular artist for Stranger Things, is facing online criticism. The controversy started over his response to a fan’s comment. The comment was about his artwork of a young character from the show.
The artist, whose real name is Billy Mariano da Luz, creates official posters for the Netflix series. On December 5, he shared a new poster. It featured Holly Wheeler, a child character played by 14-year-old actress Nell Fisher.
The artwork showed Holly’s terrified face with blood on it. The text read, “Vecna told me this would happen, he showed me.” This scene is from Season 5, Episode 2.
What Caused the Controversy?
The problem began with a comment on social media platform X. A user with the handle @dollat325 left a vulgar comment under the artwork. The comment used a sexual acronym to describe the young character.
Butcher Billy replied to this comment. He used a GIF from Tom and Jerry. In the GIF, the cat Tom bows as if accepting applause. Fans saw this reply as the artist agreeing with or approving the inappropriate comment.
People were outraged. They felt the comment sexualized a minor. The character Holly is only 10 years old in the show. Fans questioned why Billy would engage with such a remark. Many demanded that Netflix and the show’s creators address the issue.
Butcher Billy’s Response
On Sunday, December 28, Butcher Billy posted a statement on X. He said he wanted to clear up the confusion. He explained that the days after the new season’s release were very busy. He said he often replies to many comments quickly using GIFs or emojis.
He claimed he did not know what the vulgar acronym meant. He thought the user was complimenting his art. So, he replied with a funny GIF. He said it was his mistake for not checking the meaning first.
Billy stated that as soon as fans told him what the acronym meant, he deleted his GIF reply. He also said the original commenter (@dollat325) was banned from the platform. Billy ended his statement by reaffirming his commitment to ethical values and respect for human rights.
Who is Butcher Billy?
Butcher Billy has been making posters for Stranger Things since Season 1. His work is well-known. Some of his posters have even been displayed as large billboards in Los Angeles.
As of now, Netflix and the Duffer Brothers, the show’s creators, have not publicly commented on this situation. The online debate continues as fans process the artist’s explanation.
