GLAAD’s 2011 Nominees for Outstanding Comic Book
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has announced the nominees for their 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards. Of note to my audience is the category of Outstanding Comic Book. This years choices are not remotely surprising. 3 of them (including the 2010 winner – X-Factor) were in the running last year. The other 2 picks feature LGBT characters that previously garnered nominations for other titles (The pre DCnU relationship between Batwoman and Renee Montoya a.k.a. The Question was central to the 2008 nominee Final Crisis: Revelations and Kevin Keller’s introduction got Archie Comics’ Veronica on the list in 2010)
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X-Factor, by Peter David, Emanuela Lupacchino, Valentine De Landro and others (Marvel Comics) – nominated due to the unique and frankly written relationship between gay couple Rictor and Shatterstar. Won last year. Chances of winning again?
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung (Marvel Comics) – nominated due to Young Avengers resident gay couple Wiccan and Hulkling and guest starring members of X-Factor including gay couple Rictor and Shatterstar. Wiccan and Hulkling are a fan favorite and have gotten other Young Avengers titles on the list before (including ATCC), but haven’t won the award yet. This is the “popular” choice and would get my vote if only to keep Hulkling and Wiccan from becoming the Susan Lucci of the category.
Batwoman, by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman (DC Comics) – nominated due to the title character, lipstick lesbian Gotham City socialite Kate Kane by day, Batwoman by night. Kate is another fan favorite, we waited forever for Batwoman #1 and the series is well-scripted and matter of fact about her romantic inclinations, so she has a strong chance.
Veronica Presents: Kevin Keller, by Dan Parent (Archie Comics) – nominated due to the title character, Kevin Keller… out and Proud Riverdale teen and Veronica’s new gay best friend. This four issue miniseries came hot on the heels of his overwhelmingly well received appearances in Veronica #202 and #205 and sold so well that Kevin Keller is a monthly ongoing in 2012. I think Kevin Keller has the advantage because he’s giving hope and empowering an entire generation of LGBT youth. Of all the nominees, Kevin Keller has made the biggest splash and has done the most to further LGBT representation in the comics medium.
Secret Six, by Gail Simone and Jim Calafiore (DC Comics) – nominated due to Scandal Savage proposing a polygamous marriage between herself, her formerly dead lover Knockout and her current girlfriend exotic dancer Liana Kerzner. Secret Six really WAS a great title. I’d root for this title to win if I thought it might get it back on the executive radar and on the DCnU lineup. But I think Secret Six is only on this list this year because Gail Simone is beloved by our community for previous good deeds and straight boys love lesbians. I’d rather have seen Stormwatch included.
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01/26/2012 at 10:34 pm
Batwoman gets my vote.
02/01/2012 at 3:29 am
I think it’s particularly brave of Archie to introduce a gay character to a comic book that is aimed at a slightly younger audience. It’s the right thing to do and they should be applauded for it – but I can imagine that some bigots would be worried that it’s ‘corrupting’ children’s minds.