I’ve come across a number of articles about homosexuality and comic books since I started this blog, and have been saving them to post together and update occasionally with some of my own thoughts.

Homosexuality has long been a subtext in Comic Books. Parallels can be drawn between the double life of a Super Hero with a secret identity and that of a closeted homosexual.

Just ask Frederic Wertham. Werthem’s Seduction of the Innocent was all about exposing the comic books of the day as a corrupting influence on American Youth. He had a big problem with the superhero sidekick phenomenon, saying it was inherently homoerotic and often citing the Dynamic Duo as an example… (Gotham’s Finest image by KirwanArts)

Batman and Robin, Wertham charged, inhabited “a wish dream of two homosexuals living together.” They lived in “sumptuous quarters,” unencumbered by wives and girlfriends, with only an aged butler for company. They cared for each other’s injuries, frequently shared quarters, and lounged together in dressing gowns. Worse still, both exhibited damning psychological characteristics: proclivities for costumes, dressing up, and fantasy play; secretive behavior and double-lives; little interest in women; and, most damning of all, neurotic compulsions resulting in their violent vigilantism. Indeed, Wertham argued, depictions of Batman and Robin were frequently homoerotic, visually emphasizing Batman’s rippling physique and Robins splayed, bare thighs.

I do agree he may have had some valid points with the shacking up, spandex dress-up and hot bods - surprised he didn’t mention hanging out in a dark cave. But I think they fail to take into account that it’s really only gay to the gay kids. The straight boys of the day just read it as innocent hero-worship fantasy.

The above quote if from this excellent bilerico.com article titled When Batman was Gay

This next link is to a Newsarama interview with Hero author Perry Moore in which Moore discusses his insider knowledge from friend Allen Heinberg about how Hulking was almost a butch female, the death of Freedom Ring, his favorite sexy Legionnaire and whatever happened to Terry Berg - that gay friend of Green Lantern (Kyle)… read it here.

There are a few veteran LGBT comic book characters around since 89 when the Comic’s code ceased is prohibition on “any suggestion of homosexuality.” Writers who grew up in the era are revitalizing these characters and bringing them to a new generation of gay and straight fans. Former New Mutant, Karma has popped up in San Francisco with her twin siblings to rejoin the X-Men and improve control of her possession powers. After his major stint in 52, Flash Rogue the Pied Piper will most likely have some part to play in Final Crisis. Although now victimized and crippled, Ultimate Northstar is still alive if not currently kicking and his 616 counterpart is a shoe-in for the new San Francisco X-Center. Obsidian is snogging with his boyfriend Damon as a supporting character in the pages of Manhunter. And the alien 70’s Starman, Mikaal Tomas is slated to be one of two LGBT characters seen in a new JLA offshoot title (Batwoman is the other).

The images accompanying the article excerpts and links are of 20 current LGBT characters from a number of publishers. Some have been out and proud for awhile and others are brand spanking new characters or just recently out of the CMYK closet.

In the following four linked articles, CBR News spoke with “nine comics industry professionals about the portrayal of LGBT characters and themes in comics, past and present.”

Homosexuality in Comics - Part 1: introduces Marc Andreyko, Lillian Diaz-Przbyl, Devin Grayson, Terrance Griep and Mark Millar.

Homosexuality in Comics - Part 2: introduces Allan Heinberg, Scott Lobdell, Alan Moore and Greg Rucka.

Wiccan, Hulkling, Karolina Dean, Batwoman, the Question, Anole and Xavin are reflective of a new wave of original or re-imagined LGBT characters that are cropping up in comics continuity. LGBT Storylines like the subtle romance between Young Avengers fan faves Wiccan and Hulkling go a long way toward making gay fans feel accepted and represented as part of a world they have come to know and love. A scene where they attempt to come out to Billy’s parents as teen super-heroes becomes a wonderful affirmation when the folks misunderstand and say its “OK we’ve always known and we’re so happy you boys found each other.” Even the lesbian Batwoman and Question haven’t been overly sexualized or exploited the way Rainmaker was in the 90’s. In this new millennium, we the major publishing companies may finally be ready to develop LGBT characters that are more than a superheroes stereotype.

Homosexuality in Comics - Part 3: The panelists discuss the Comics Code, the stigma of comics as a children’s medium, whether homosexuality is a lifestyle choice or a genetic predisposition, and the tendency for fictional GLBT characters to be defined by their sexuality.

Apollo and the Midnighter broke new gound in the 90’s as the World’s Finest Couple. The idea of a gay Superman and Batman archtypes as a couple had been used many times in the slash fanfiction genre, but the Wildstorm Universe’s addition of this loving gay couple (and eventually adopted child) truly heralded a new generation of homosexual heroes. Gen13’s Rainmaker was also part of that 2nd generation of gay characters that started to gain popularity in the 90’s, but her sexuality was primarily used to titillate a largely heterosexual adolescent male audience.

Homosexuality in Comics - Part 4: Topics include the “gay retcon,” the participants’ picks for well-informed portrayals of GLBT characters in comics, and the state of the union of homosexuality in comics

The outing of characters like Rawhide Kid, Colossus (Ultimate), Lightspeed and Living lightning was a surprise to many as most had recognized hetero history. Ultimate Colussus’ case is a bit different because (as far as we know) he’s straight as an arrow in the 616 universe. Though with Kitty GONE, maybe Jean-Paul should take a shot at him. Although Quasar (Phyla-vell’s) orientation was hinted early at it wasn’t officially revealed until later.

via CBR and Newsarama and Bilerico Project

Steve Cruz and Logan McCree are back at it again… Logan and Steve share the screen in 3 scenes (an extended orgy and a 3way with Ricky (The Hammer) Sinz) in Ranging Stallion’s Hotter Than Hell Part 2 (the even hotter second half of a 2 part sex saga from Raging Stallion starring Steve Cruz).

Check out this Steve Cruz Gay Porn Blog Interview.

The insatiable Cruz is joined for part 2 by the ever-popular, head-to-toe tattooed legend-in-the-making - Logan McCree, as well as the always studly Ricky (The Hammer) Sinz, Dak Ramsey, Tober Brandt and Alexy Tyler.

GUESS WHO IS COMING OUT OF RETIREMENT!!! Channel 1 Releasing has announced that they have reinstated formerly retired powertwink Benjamin Bradley, who has been absent from your DVD player while pursuing a mainstream underwear modeling career as one of the Ginch Gonch boys.

Here is his filmography to refresh your… memory.

Benjamin will be shooting his new Channel 1 Releasing feature at the end of September. Further details and title will be forthcoming.

Benjamin Bradley completed a few films with Falcon Studios before being signed as a Channel 1 Releasing exclusive. At the time of his discovery, he was dating Falcon Exclusive powerbottom Roman Heart and although the couple eventually fizzled (though I hear rumors of a rekindling), the porn world gained a new superstar.

Aside from his often overly oompaloompa orange tan, Benjamin Bradley is the ultimate pornstar. But then no one’s perfect. He is a cocky versatile stud who always seems into his scene and partner and looks as great with a cock in his mouth as he does plowing ass or with his legs in the air (I’ll prove that with plenty of steamy action shots sometime soon).

The shots above mostly gathered from over 1000 available (that’s just over 1000 Benjamin Bradley shots - they have 1000 of pics for each model!) in Channel 1 Releasing’s EXTENSIVE member galleries. I’ve never seen such an amazing archive of pornography before! They definitely have a few of the other mainstream sites beat in that department.

via Fleshbot and C1R

Hotter Than Hell Part 1 is the 1st half of a 2 part sex saga from Raging Stallion starring Steve Cruz. The ever insatiable Cruz is joined for part 1 by Damien Crosse, RJ Danvers, Tristan Phoenix and Luke Hass. Check out this Steve Cruz Gay Porn Blog Interview.

The men of Part 2 will be coming soon, so pay attention boys. Guess who has 3 scenes in part 2? LOGAN MCCREE!!!!!! (who by the way has inspired more comments on this site than any other topic)

This is a movie on my short list of porn to see… Jake Deckard is back with a sequel to Jock Itch, his first Screaming Eagle release. Balls to the Wall is a continuation of his sport-gear-as-a-fetish opus. Here are some shots from the flick. Sorry fellas, no sign of Logan McCree in this one.

I’ve decided that just because they aren’t performing RIGHT NOW doesn’t really make anyone any less sexy so I decided to add a new category of beefcake… Fanboi’s Former Faves are my favorite porn studs of yesteryear. If I ever recover the hard drive to my old Mac you’ll be in for a treat. For now, here’s some Mike Branson…

Mike Branson was a Falcon flavor of the month (or year) starting in 1997. His movie idol looks, heroic physique and phenomenal cock were well on the way to catapulting him to smutty stardom as a Falcon exclusive when he vanished from the scene. I heard he was gay-for-pay and got religion. I bet whatever nice christian girl he’s dating now really doesn’t appreciate him the way his Falcon co-stars did. Anyone have the scoop? Where is he now? I don’t know - but watch him in action right now (click a title to watch the movie at FalconXXX on demand).

I thought George Perez’s rendition of oh-so sexy Superboy-Prime in deliciously battle-ravaged daisy dukes was worthy of immortalizing in a desktop pattern. Its on my desktop, click below for a ridiculously LARGE version for yours!

This is for those of you who think SuperMAN is too much the big blue boy scout and would prefer a bad boy. Check out Superman-Prime. He has been demoted to his twinkified Superboy-Prime form again and is seriously working a very small pair of battle ravaged daisy dukes…

George Perez (pencils) and Scott Koblish (inks) artwork from Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #1 of 5.

I’m not usually a big fan of the gay-for-pay genre or the fetishizing of straight guys, but Johnny Castle is just too fine for words. And he’s not technically gay-for-pay, since I don’t think he’s ever done any gay action, he’s naked-and-orgasmic-for-pay. Apparently, he’s not just a phenomenally hot piece of meat, he’s also got master’s degree in Psychology. That bod, that face and a brilliant brain too? Life is just not fair. Lets hope he at least has terrible parking karma.

via ILovePlaygirl and JustUsBoys

Saw I’m a Perky Little Pornstar From Skokie Illinois at The Midnight Sun, during their new weekly event - Sordid Lives Night (its a video bar and on Tuesdays, they show the LOGO show Sordid Lives with videos in lieu of commercials). All I could think was I MUST find it online and post it on the blog. I may be becoming a wee bit obsessed.

If you like commercial porn on DVD, Tyler Saint’s chiseled face, muscled body, thick cock and inviting ass all probably seem familiar. He’s topped and bottomed with some of porn’s sexiest studs in smoking hot scenes for most of the majors… Falcon Studios, Jet Set Men, Titan Media, Studio 2000, Channel 1 Releasing and Hot House.

You can watch him fuck and suck like a champ in any of the following movies…Jock Itch, Mens Room III: Ozark Mtn. Exit 8, Red Hanky, Stark Naked, Dare, Verboten: Part 1, Jockstrap, Folsom Leather, Bottom of the 9th: Little Big League III, Fraternity Gangbang 2, The F Word, Just Add Water, Link: The Evolution, Shacked Up, Sun Soaked, Excess, Suck It Up, Tough Stuff, Trouser Trout, Trunks 4: White Heat, Vanished, Gunnery Sgt. McCool, T.K.O.

Seems like Roman Heart’s idea of a vacation is to get double-fucked on location in Buenos Aires by two hot horse-hung Argentinian studs. Lucky for him (and us) he has Falcon Studios to arrange such things… Check out their new release… Roman’s Holiday!