Nov 11, 2009, 11:17 GMT
The publisher of a comic based on Britain's Princess Diana's life has blasted critics who have branded it "disgusting".
Royal fans had criticised makers of the tome - entitled 'Female Force: Princess Diana' - for graphically illustrating her 1997 death.
But Darren Davis from publisher Bluewater Comics has defended the book saying it is an "accurate and respectful" portrayal of Diana's life.
He said: "We understand there are many people who revere the memory of the Princess of Wales, but to ignore the facts would be demeaning to her remarkable accomplishments.
"Although we did depict the location where Diana passed away, we did not show the crash - it makes it seem that we revelled in picturing carnage. Nothing could be further from the truth and inference that we mock Diana is simply unjustifed and categorically wrong."
Margaret Funnell, co-founder of the Diana Circle UK memorial group had said earlier this week: "It's disgusting. Their feeble excuse is that they wanted to show the young people of America her life.
"They could have done it with lovely stories. They didn't need to stoop to this. I find it quite cruel them showing the funeral.
"Comic means something to laugh at. I don't find it at all comical and I wish they hadn't done it."
The book also includes Diana's parents' divorce, her marriage to Prince Charles and her relationship with Dodi Fayed.
Darren hit back at the criticisms, insisting the book is "very positive".
He added to Britain's Coventry Telegraph newspaper: "Ms. Funnel contends that because the book is in comic book form that it is inherently goofy and meant for children. Comic books are meant to entertain, yes, but just as often are used as educational and inspirational tools for a variety of ages.
"If she had taken the time to read the entire book, she would see that it portrays the Princess in a very positive light."
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