IMO, just use the characters in the story. It’s not worth tearing up the narrative if they’re that important to it. Just because a creator says or does a “toxic” thing doesn’t mean you throw away all the work they ever did just because it was done by them. Bad people can make good art, good people can make bad art. We stand to lose so much when we insist on partaking in and enjoying only art that is from “unproblematic” creators. I say tell the story you OG wanted to tell, ignore the drama.
Oops- well this is a bit old but I’ll answer it still cause I think it’s important.
You make some good points here, and there was my original thought process when using Dream and Nightmare before my little panic. In fact I calmed down and considered just this. BUT I wasn’t actually too attached to that arc like I am the rest of the story. The purpose it served could easily fit a few different duos, I simply chose Dream and Nightmare because I love them (yes I still do, regardless of their creator the characters are not at fault for anything beyond their own story). And after having created Diaz and Nycto, my lovely beans, I actually became attached to that arc like the first one. Which told me regardless of what lead to the change, this was better for UnderMaze.
So yes I completely understand your point here, but the reason I stuck with the changed narrative is simply; I like it better this way, and that has nothing to do with the creator of Night and Dream. It has EVERYTHING to do with my love for my new characters Diaz and Nycto. 💜😌👌
