Gay X-Marriage? I still think so. Norkyle may not have the same ring as Norcules, but they really are a cute couple, so I’m rooting for them.
We’re getting closer to the impending mutant milestone that is Astonishing X-Men #50 – and the engagement that it will likely contain. We are still not seeing any significant character development besides Northstar and Kyle, so I feel safe in having their present engraved, but hope both grooms will live long enough to enjoy it. Welcome to the X-Men _______ I hope you survive the experience. I was glad to see Kyle’s Jinadu’s reckless behavior (following BF Northstar to a rumble alongside Wolverine) didn’t get him in too much trouble.
Apparently it was Karma (and not the bad guys – whew) that he ran into last issue while hot on the GPS trail of Northstar’s cell. As those involved start to figure things out, we are treated to some battle-ending hysteria from Kyle followed by the exchange below. Their conversation strikes me as one of the most honest and believable in the 4 color history of Superhuman-Human romances – and I love the bit about the laundry and cleaning. Like YOU wouldn’t want YOUR superspeed flying boyfriend to do all the chores in seconds??
• The Marauders Are Back! • Something From Northstar’s Past Has Resurfaced And Is Looking For Revenge. • Kyle Goes Missing – How Is He Connected To The Person Behind Everything?
Part of the solicit was a tease – Kyle isn’t missing – YET. Here’s what we know… Something is definitely up. A telepath is involved and Northstar AND Kyle appear to be the focus of the mastermind behind events. The flashes of the very near future (guessing present will catch up with these by next ish or the Wedding) we saw last issue of Northstar running slowly for his like from mind-controlled Wolvie and Gambit are nothing compared to what he has to deal with this issue. Is Jean Paul Beaubier faster than a speeding bullet? I’ll say yes. Because if he’s not…
After 10 years in the closet and another 10 years out, is it finally time for Marvel’s original gay superhero – Northstar and his boyfriend of 3 years Kyle Jinadu to walk down the aisle?
After Marvel released the White X Save the Date teaser image, it was speculated that Jean-Paul and Kyle will wed in the 51st issue of Astonishing X-Men (on shelves June 20th). What do we know? Astonishing X-Men 51 will contain “something that has never been seen inside the pages of a Marvel comic.” The White X image has been used before (to tease the marriage of Scott and Jean), so a wedding is definitely inferred. Combine that with the fact that Northstar is the only team member close to that point in a relationship, and he’s the obvious answer (unless manwhore Gambit goes to extremes to get a jealous rise out of Rogue). A media blitz is planned to coincide with the May release of Astonishing X-Men #50, which rumor has it contains the proposal. Marvel will also be celebrating the event with John Cassaday variants for Astonishing X-Men #50 and a Djurdjevic variant cover for #51.
He may have been beaten to the title of first gay wedding in comics by the Wildstorm incarnations of Apollo and The Midnighter (whose DCNu counterparts are following their footsteps and may have some invitations of their own to send out soon enough) and Kevin Keller’s interracial military nuptials were more of a “shock” to those shocked by such things, but marrying off Northstar would be a HUGE milestone in the Marvel Universe which despite having a number of LGBT characters… up until now hasn’t broached the topic of marriage equality. Though there WAS a semi-proposal in Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #9… Keep and eye on X-Factor. Maybe it will be a triple gay wedding?
The only bad news is since Marvel plans a media frenzy around the event, this gives the Few Thousand Women Who Can’t Count enough time to notice and get riled up. Lets hope they drop the ball again.
If you are a gay geek and you are NOT reading Stormwatch… SHAME ON YOU! In its first 8 issues not only do we get to see the relationship of comics first gay married couple (Apollo and The Midnighter) unfold all over again in DC continuity, we’ve also seen open, frank and matter of fact flirtation between the pair and now we get to see acknowledgement, encouragement and support from youngest teammate (and potential future adopted daughter – if events unfold similarly to the original Authority) Jenny Quantum. The Midnighter really should brush up on his etiquette, he didn’t offer Jenny much of a thanks for her gesture. Wait until you see what he DOES do! I get his motivations, but it seems out of character after his paternal behavior towards her. All that plus action and intrigue on a scale that makes a JLA mission feel like an early issue of Young Justice marks Stormwatch MUST read.
Out of the mouths of babes. I just can’t imagine an exchange like this in the comics I read growing up. “Boys can like boys. It doesn’t matter.” They are two short simple sentences, but one can imagine the sense of empowerment that those 7 words could instill in a young gay or lesbian reader. Or in straight readers for that matter. As overjoyed as I am about new LGBT characters and the commercial success of books starring gay characters like Kevin Keller, these small moments in mainstream titles are just as if not more powerful.
Which makes me wonder why the usual crop of Bigoted Bible Thumpers (BBTs) aren’t raising a Holy stink about it. Has no one told them yet? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, their furor over Kevin Keller’s gay interracial military wedding in Life with Archie #16 was so late that the books sold out before they could organize a boycott.
Northstar and his long-term business manger turned love interest Kyle Jinadu are 2 of the new additions to the Astonishing X-Men family. Marvel must have gotten wind of my recently downscaled buy list and the criteria to get on it (have a LGBT character) – cuz it’s always about me… right? Delusions aside, I’m happy Marvel found a home for Jean-Paul and Kyle. BTW – BEWARE SPOILERS.
BUT, where is the dog they rescued at the end of the Alpha Flight mini-series (a Fear Itself tie-in)? I see no sign of the pooch in their new apartment, and Kyle is NOT walking the dog later in the book when he decides to take a stroll. Which is too bad as that would be a WAY less stupid reason (than following his BF to see what WOLVERINE wanted) for him to be out in the night. If Kyle is to survive the X-Men, he needs to learn to stay home and read his damned book when Wolverine calls Jean-Paul. Otherwise he’ll find himself nabbed in the darkness by strange silhouetted figures and, oh wait, never mind, too late.
I loved the tender and realistic scene between Jean-Paul and Kyle in their new apartment – especially the knowing wink and Northstar’s super speed decorating. I hope we see more of this sort of domesticity. I Also hope that Kyle isn’t going to become the team’s “dude in distress.” You know… that annoyingly stupid significant other who is always getting themselves in a jam. The classic damsels – Lois Lane, Iris West, Linda Park and a number of Bat Bimbos all had an excuse for their tendency to step right in it – occupational hazard. But Kyle is not a reporter, or a cop, or even an EMT. Kyle is a business manager. He should act like it. He and Northstar have already had discussions about how Kyle shouldn’t mix too much with the dangers of the super-hero world. And after being brainwashed into heterosexuality by the Master as part of an elaborate plan to take over the world (why does he always start with Canada? Has the man never played RISK? and he calls himself the Master of the World – HA). But I digress.
The issue even has some action, including Northstar running through a sewer (at normal speed?) to escape from a homicidal Wolverine and Gambit, but alas no explanation yet as to how we get there. Maybe next issue.
DESPITE my misgivings about the “finale” I’m thrilled Wiccan and Hulking FINALLY kissed on panel.
I loved issues 1-8 of the overly drawn-out maxiseries. So I was NOT ready for this final issue of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. I’ve come to expect more of Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, but nothing happened, at least nothing good. As we saw last issue, Stature died. This issue, they argue, the “young” Vision is demolished (IMO to make room for the recently reconstructed “old” Vision) and then everyone just decides to let their friends stay dead. Its OK to save Scott Lang with the timestream but not Cassie?
The big climax that sets the stage big time for what is to come in 2012! Deaths and departures! The funeral of an Avenger. The final fate of the Scarlet Witch. Plus, a new lineup and direction for the Young Avengers.
Aside from that the Young Avengers all decide that its all their fault and they should disband and quit heroing. Wiccan mopes around through 3 recent major Marvel events (Spider-Island, Schism, and the Human Torch’s return) in a one page montage and then we get a reunion in the following final four pages – which does include a backhanded proposal and the 1st on-panel Hulkling/Wiccan kiss for which we’ve all been hoping since the boyfriends were introduced back in 2005… but it just feels like we are being thrown a bone at the end of a bad finale to follow through on the more prevalent early issue mentions of the relationship (that dwindled significantly late in the series.
To be fair I’m including a review from the always adorable GayComicGeek. I loved the series and really expected more of a finale. This felt like an epilogue.
Since this is the last issue of a bi monthly 9 issue series we spent MORE THAN 18 months following, I doubt anyone is going to skip it just because I’ve included the above four pages, which include the big gay moment and some sentimental words of encouragement from Captain America that they are “all Avengers.” This doesn’t bode particularly well for those of us hoping that a regular Young Avengers title would soon be added to the schedule. I think this is just timed so a few of the kids can pop up on rosters during AVX. The so called “new roster” mentioned in the tease is nowhere to be found unless that final shot (sans Patriot) that includes Captain America, Spider-Man and Ant-Man is meant to foreshadow something?
Although the constantly lame come-ons to his female Avengers Academy teammates were definitely an act to cover his sexual confusion, Striker’s fame-whorishness was apparently the real Brandon Sharpe showing through. After his somewhat heartfelt exchange with Lightspeed in Issue #23, Striker takes advantage of the first free moment he’s had since to whip together a press conference Coming Out announcement with the help of Mom/Agent.
The Runaways are here! Giant-Man and Victor, Reptil and Chase, Lightspeed and Karolina. What happens when these two super-charged teams collide?
Love the bit with Mom about starting a rumor he’s “dating the kid from GLEE. No. The hot one.” I’m picturing Striker in costume next to a 4 color version of Blaine’s highwater pants and bow ties. It’s not working. But the romantic rainbow connection of Julie Power and Karolina Dean??? Now that’s a match made to… get REAL serious before being interrupted by the return of Karolina’s long lost allegedly late wife/husband, Xavin.
I think there will definitely be some story follow up to this very public Coming Out. What will the reaction of the rest of the Marvel Universe be? Is Avengers Academy about to see a picket from a fictionalized version of the Phelps clan?
Has anyone told the 1000s of women who can’t count (Million Moms) to add this title to the list of things to bully companies over? You know, so they have something to do once they finish harassing JC Penny over Ellen, protesting tiny grooms on cakes in Macy’s ads and threatening toy stores over an issue they carried TWO months ago.
By the way no major LGBT drama on the letters page this issue aside from some thanks n praise and predictions of the potential in the Power/Dean combo.
Now that Striker is OUT and PROUD, we’re starting to hear the fallout from the religious right. I’m not surprised. With all the amazing leaps forward in the inclusion of LGBT characters in popular culture (comics especially of course), it’s inevitable that the usual suspects get their devoted Christian panties in a bunch about it. Issue #26 of Avengers Academy, Stryker’s sexuality is a 2 panel bit in an all-story no action character piece leading up to a crossroads moment. But the letters page is devoted to a well spoken, albeit ignorant ill-informed letter from a Mr. Jerry Smith of Erlanger Kentucky and a fantastic response from Writer Christos Gage.
Among other things Mr. Smith suggests Mr. Gage’s compassion would be better served by volunteering for a hotline or donating to an organization that helps kids with coming out. Jerry just doesn’t get it. What Mr. Gage is doing will help prevent the need for the hotlines in the first place. LGBT youth don’t all call hotlines when they should. Some keep their pain and misery inside until it becomes too much to bear. Revealing Stryker’s “alternate sexual lifestyle” and complicated history doesn’t just add ANOTHER gay character to the Marvel U. It lets LGBT kids out there see themselves mirrored in the pages of their favorite book and exposes straight readers to “what that gay kid they keep teasing at school” might be going through. It may even make future generations more likely to stand up for that kid being picked on… or even empower bullied kids to stand up for themselves.
Mr. Smith’s arguments and analogies all fall a bit short of their mark and are easily swatted by Gage’s rebuttal. Smith compares having a gay character in a “TEEN” rated superhero book about minors to “giving Little Orphan Annie AIDS.” While I get his point I think its off base in that Avengers Academy is not intended for ALL AGES the same way Lil Orphan Annie is. Now if the writers of Tiny Titans introduce Lil gay Bunker he’ll have a point. Until then, I agree with Christos Gage in saying that I’d put money down that Mr. Jerry Smith of Erlanger Kentucky has a problem with Homosexuality itself and not just with it’s inclusion in Avengers Academy. Gage also points out a number of characters in the Marvel U with strong religious beliefs as well as disproves Smith’s uninformed allegation that hetero romance (kissing) is rare in comics.
Only those with a “faith-based” disdain for Homosexuality see this sort of progress as a Political agenda. WE thanks Cristos Gage for his work on Striker and his letters page comments about the issues raised by the story. Read a copy of the letters page and an article about it here.
I was never a HUGE Archie fan growing up, but I read some. As a kid I remember reading the digest collections of Archie and Richie Rich before i graduated to the X-Men and “New” Teen Titans. So GLAAD nominee Kevin Keller’s debut was the first time I’d touched an Archie comic in decades. I’ve picked up all the Kevin Keller issues in solidarity and will continue to do so. Although it is very much a comic for kids, it really touches me to think of a whole generation of LGBT kids can pick this off the comic rack. THANK YOU DAN PARENT for creating Kevin Keller! And thanks Archie Comics and readers fro embracing him.
In the first issue of his NEW ongoing series Kevin Keller adjusts to the daily rigors of his recently elected posts as Class President and staves off flop-sweat, hives, fashion faux pas and the advice of family and friends as he prepares for his FIRST DATE!!!
It is hard to believe that gays in comics have come so far that not only can we have an out and proud young gay man attending fictional Riverdale High, but also he is popular enough to warrant his own series… and the first issue is all about him worried about his first date. I know the world of Archie is an innocuous one. It’s safe, and it should be. Its for kids. So I’m not expecting Kev to get much real action despite being quite a catch (handsome, smart & brave).
Even without the hope of a “very special” issue where Kevin Keller loses it (which would of course herald Riverdale going to Hell in a handbasket anyway – so it is a story arc better avoided), the chronicling of his ordinary daily life, his friendships and flirtations (g-rated tho they may be) is such a major step forward for LGBT inclusion AND goes beyond that to true representation… something I couldn’t even imagine as a teen. So Kevin Keller is staying on my unfortunately short list of regular purchases. At least til gets his first kiss, than I’ll see what other stories Mr. Parent has to tell.
The burgeoning DCnU reromance between The Midnighter and Apollo is starting to heat up. In Stormwatch #6, as Apollo saves a grateful Midnighter from a particularly nasty fate, The Midnighter looks up dreamily and says “GOD YOU’RE HOT.” There has never been a truer gay geek moment. If any of you were playing mid-air dude-in-distress in the arms of shirtless Apollo I don’t know if you (or I) would have the balls to say it, but we’d ALL be thinking it. Since he’s the “damn Midnighter” of course he’d say it. Adorable cocky bastard probably gave Apollo’s ass a squeeze off panel when he said it too.
We’ve had a number of wonderful new LGBT characters and relationships spotlighted in many high profile series in the past few years, but for some reason seeing these two getting together in the same continuity as their original analogues fills me with more gay geeky joy than any of them. In their previous incarnation, not only were Midnighter and Apollo respectively the most dangerous and powerful members of The Authority, but they were very much the HEART of the team. This exchange between the two tells us we can expect open flirtation during their hopefully prolonged courtship. I wonder how long it will take for them to tie the knot and adopt Jenny Quantum (Midnighter is already acting parental)?
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)
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.
The DCnU & Marvel really ARE committed to LGBT inclusion! 2011 saw LGBT characters created from scratch, outed, rebooted into a whole new continuity or even resurrected by apologetic writers as 4color LGBT relationships become far more commonplace, even reaching distant places like the 30th century and THE Archie Universe’s perpetually squeeky clean Riverdale.
Avengers Academy’s former child star and current famemonger, Striker came out both as gay and as a victim of childhood sexual abuse whose emerging electrical powers killed his pervy bad-touching manager.
The solicited cover for 2012′s Life With Archie revealed that the issue will bring comics first interracial gay military wedding to Riverdale.
The Teen Titans added Bunker, an out and proud new flamboyant young Mexican gay character to the team roster and the DCnU.
After much hype and stalling, Gotham’s resident lipstick lesbian vigilante – Batwoman finally began her own title with the 2011 launch of the DCnU.
The return of Rictor’s mutant seismic powers in the pages of Avengers The Children’s Crusade has resolved the feelings of powerlessness he felt and may impact his romantic relationship with his X-Factor teammate Shatterstar.
Along with a number of former Wildstorm Universe residents, Apollo and Midnighter have been mainstreamed into the DCnU and their relationship will unfold anew in the pages of Stormwatch.
the 2011 4 issue miniseries that followed up Riverdale’s new gay teen, Kevin Keller‘s 2010 Archie Universe debut was so well received that he’ll be getting his own ongoing miniseries in 2012.
James Robinson resurrected gay hero Tasmanian Devil after he realized he’d killed one of the few LGBT heroes in the DCU for a rug joke. The character has yet to surface in the post-Flashpoint DCnU.
A gay relationship between Legion Academy students Powerboy and Gravity Kid was subtly revealed at in the pre-DCnU pages of Adventure Comics – the relationship has yet to be confirmed post Flashpoint.
Shrinking Violet and Lightning Lass were confirmed as girlfriends – but that was pre-Flashpoint. We’re still awaiting confirmation that the relationship has made it into the DCnU.
I composited the above image myself – so please link back if you repost it.
Is this THE DEATH OF AN AVENGER? So Marvel claims. With Marvel Comics’ previous threats on record about killing 1 main character per quarter, I’d be shaking in my super booties if I was asked to Assemble.
The Young Avengers find themselves on the wrong side of the Scarlet Witch’s reality-altering powers in their final battle against the combined forces of THE AVENGERS and THE X-MEN.
In this penultimate issue of the epic maxi-series, the Young Avengers have no one to turn to except each other as they are forced to fight their lifelong heroes, to the death. Find out who lives and who dies.
This epic maxi series is drawing near its close with only 1 issue left after this one. We may not know who lives or dies yet, perhaps it will be a heroic sacrifice from the recently resurrected Scott Lang – but whoever it is – it WON’T be the Scarlet Witch. She has far too much in store for her in the pages of the upcoming A vs X Event. But if someone will die… the better question is WHO will kill them?
Since day 1 of Avengers Academy, the character of Striker has been the handsome, egotistical, fame-whore spouting one arrogant come on after another to the girls. Turns out that’s all an act to be filed under “me thinks he doth protest too much.” Brandon Sharpe a.k.a. Striker is the latest young Marvel character to come out of the 4-color closet. I’m glad it was in Avengers Academy as I’ve felt that is really one of the most compelling of the whole Avengers line. Neither the flagship Avengers title nor Secret or New possesses the charm and appeal of Avengers Academy.
Not long after learning that former child hero Julie Power a.k.a. Lightspeed (from Power Pack and The Loners) is “bisexual,” Striker takes the opportunity to open up share his sexuality and an unfortunate part of his secret origin with a kindred spirit. It turns out that being gay isn’t Striker’s ONLY secret to tell… As a child star Brandon had a “bad touch” manager who ended up a crispy critter when the frightened boy’s powerful electrical abilities first manifest. It’s pretty dark, but in keeping with the various “doomed to do evil” origins shared by the rest of this tortured team of youths broken by Norman Osborn’s Dark Reign and hopefully reforged in the light of this “Heroic Age.”
All that plus a meddling time traveler with a mission and more roster additions with both X-23 (FAST BALL SPECIAL Mettle!) and “the horror men call Hybrid” joining the team. The former is welcomed with open arms (any many questions) by her new teammates after a brilliant introductory speech and the latter is there under false pretenses and basically intends to eat them all.
Also be sure to read the letters page where writer Christos Gage skips thru Strikers history and points out the clues that might have led an astute reader to come to the conclusion that Striker is a “friend of Northstar.”
Gage also mentions that "we’ve come a long way in terms of there being plenty of positive depictions of confident, proud gay youths in comics and popular culture in general" and felt we’ve not really seen as much of "gay characters who are struggling with their identity" and "the prejudice gay people endure all too often in society."
The upcoming hypothetical future nuptials of Kevin Keller may be enough to give some conservatives a triple aneurism. The Kevin Keller miniseries has shown us the the gay Riverdale teen hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father… Colonel Thomas Keller of the U.S. Army. Life With Archie is the Archieverse title that USUALLY shows WHAT IF Archie had married Betty or Veronica. Instead, Life With Archie #16 will chronicle the future marriage of military hero Kevin Keller to Clay Walker, the bespectacled doctor who once helped him recover from war wounds. Consider yourself invited!
Kevin Keller’s choice of garb and groom certainly make his the very first gay military interracial wedding in the history of comics (Apollo and Midnighter beat them to comics first gay wedding in 2002′s The Authority, Vol. 1 #29). I would think the conservative bulldogs would have pounced on this like Dan Quayle jumped on the fictional Murphy Brown by now. I haven’t heard an uproar yet, but I’ll keep an ear to the ground.
Teen Titans #3 finally introduces us to Miguel Jose Barragan A.K.A. Bunker – the new flamboyantly gay member of the DCnU’s incarnation of the long lived group of “teen metahumans.” His behavior and phrasing definitely reminds me a bit of the brother in purple in Zorro the Gay Blade, but I don’t hate him. I don’t love him either. I’ll just have to see once we learn more about him. Until then here is his first appearance…
My observations of what I think writer Scott Lobdell seems to think makes for an over the top gay character.
STEP #1
Wear skintight purple and magenta spandex.
STEP #2
Squeal like a girl when surprised.
STEP #3
When trapped alone with a strange old hobo in a train car, be sure work your cute butt into the conversation.
STEP #4
Be a hugger.
STEP #5
Have a very high opinion of yourself and share it often (At least he said “exquisite” instead of “fabulous”).
It’s a BIT subtler than the 1992 Major Mapleleaf Northstar coming out story, but not much. The characterization still needs work. They must make him flamboyant without rendering him a stereotype. It will be tough to accomplish, but I’m still hoping Lobdell will be up to the challenge. By himself, Bunker currently lacks that je ne sais quoi that makes Peter David’s Shatterstar/Rictor and Allan Heinberg’s Wiccan/Hulkling relationships amusing and endearing, while still maintaining character integrity and a certain amount of LGBT realness. Without a relationship, or hearing his backstory, all we have to define Bunker as gay are quips. But I still believe they can do better than this.
One note on Bunker’s costume… the little ribbons on the back of his mask (presumably where he ties it on) have to go. I get the Zorro kind of hood concept, but for close quarters battle it’s bad news. Bad guy grabs it and smashes head to the pavement. End of Bunker. I know Edna only said NO CAPES, but her examples apply so I don’t think she’d approve of the dangling loose ribbons either.
UPDATE: Some new info has surfaced on Bunker (over at TheSource). Three things you didn’t know about the DCnU’s latest gay hero…
1.
For a young kid from a small village in Mexico, he seems to have been pretty well trained in the use of his super powers before coming here to the States, no? Hmmm. We’ll discover that he’s received private tutelage … from a very unexpected source!
2.
In order to join the Teen Titans, Miguel had to turn his back on the first great love of his life. When that love comes back, he’s going to learn that the same passion that fueled their relationship might very well consume him.
3.
At first glance it doesn’t seem like Bunker has the most awe-inspiring super power in the world (A 3×3 foot pile of psionic bricks that he can manipulate as he pleases). But in issue five, when he squares off against no less a threat than the Superboy, we understand what he lacks in caliber he more than makes up for in moxie!
Both Marvel comics and DC’s “New 52″ show a commitment to inclusion of LGBT characters in some of their best titles. I’ll likely expand and update this post to include more titles, so leave a comment to point out any I left out. If it’s a DC title, sightings should be post relaunch.
DC’s New 52 line up of titles contains a number that prominently feature LGBT characters. Stormwatch chronicles the future relationship between gay Superman and Batman analogues Apollo and The Midnighter. Their story has been told, but never in the DCU proper. Teen Titans will introduce Bunker, a flamboyant gay teen hero. Batwoman follows the costumed adventures of lesbian socialite Kate Kane. The Shade is a new maxi-series set in Opal City and the cast includes bisexual blue alien Mikasl Tomas a.k.a. Starman. No sign of recently resurrected Aussi gay were-hero Tasmanian Devil.
Marvel may not have rebooted their entire universe recently, but nonetheless also have a number of high profile titles showcasing LGBT characters. The most popular LGBT characters of the Marvel U would be gay teen Young Avengers… Wiccan and Hulkling. A close second would be gay couple Rictor and Shatterstar from Peter David’s brilliant X-Factor. Daken Akihiro, the tattooed, bisexual bad boy son of Wolverine is fast becoming a fan favorite. Speaking of Wolverine, when he scooped up the X-kids and brought them back-to-school, he included Anole, Graymalkin and Bling. Karma has also stated Weschester is her destination.
If you think I forgot about Alpha Flight… not so fast. You may not have heard that news of it’s status as an ongoing title was premature. Alpha Flight is cancelled as of issue #8.
I have good news for those of you who have missed the Runaways since their last series and found the sporadic cameos since unfulfilling. Issue #17 of Daken: Dark Wolverine will introduce the old gang (Nico Minoru, Chase Stein, alien lesbian Karolina Dean, Molly Hayes, Victor Mancha and Klara Prast) to Wolverine’s bisexual bad boy son Daken Akihiro. Just in time too. He could use some help.
BEWARE SPOILERS: Daken’s in a bad way. During the current “Claws Killer” arc he became addicted to “Heat,” a new experimental pharmaceutical grade hallucinogen that blocks his healing factor. Once he realized the rush wasn’t as fun as he thought, he managed to quit “cold turkey,” but he may have burned out his healing factor permanently. On top of that he’s up against the powerful enemy that hooked him on the deadly high in the first place… movie star, drug dealer, former lover and mysterious villain… “Marcus Roston.” Great set up to introduce a nice wholesome group of superpowered kids right? Has anyone notified the blue-haired-old-ladies to prepare their outrage?
In Daken: The Dark Wolverine #16 Roston mentions his “idiot family” used to rule LA underworld and exhibits a number of powers, including flight and shape-shifting. Could it be original Pride aren’t as dead as The Runaways thought? Or do we have another previously unrevealed uncle? Either way, its time for a team up (after a short fight caused by a misunderstanding).
I know that writers of ongoing stories like comic books or soap operas tend to disrupt “Happily Ever After” as often as possible. But I would have enjoyed a few more happy moments before we started rocking the boat. In X-factor #226, we see both lovers expressing doubts. I could see how Rictor’s attraction/attachment to Shatterstar MIGHT have gotten a boost from his own feelings of powerlessness and Shatterstar’s bond in return could be affected by his feeling of being lost in a world that is not his.
I’m hoping this is a temporary setback. I think Rictor’s emotions are probably closer to romantic love than Shatterstar’s. Shatty’s warrior background and upbringing in Mojoworld didn’t prepare him for being part of a couple. I hope Peter David’s master plan is to show us readers as well as the pair of heroes that they belong together. And also hoping he keeps Layla’s ladyparts out of the equation. I’d rather see her get closer to her prophesied marriage to Madrox.
The addition of Apollo and Midnighter to the regular DC pantheon is definitely my favorite thing about the DCnU. Stormwatch is well on the way to becoming my favorite DC title. We didn’t see THAT much of the couple-to-be this issue. But there were some telling moments. Midnighter informs Apollo that he’s been “trailing” (read stalking) him for over a year and that he KNOWS why Apollo hasn’t “come out” as a “super-hero.” He also mentions that he REALLY ENJOYED watching Apollo slaughter a child porn ring.
The moon is alive! Following the events of SUPERMAN #1 where [TEXT REDACTED], the covert team of sci-fi Super Heroes known as Stormwatch must not only battle the Earth’s moon, but find a way to hide its monstrous metamorphosis from the rest of the Earth! How? Uh, they’re working on it. Meanwhile, the recruitment of Midnighter goes poorly, and we learn why the Martian Manhunter is a member of the team. Written by Paul Cornell (Doctor Who)!
I was amused by the way they manipulated the media to dupe the Justice League into thinking a random villain (The Fox) was behind whatever is happening to the moon. It would take 10 seconds with the Fox for Batman to figure out The Fox was innocent – Booster Gold on the other hand would be easy to fool. Hmmm, I wonder if any criminals have been convicted because of them doing this in the past?
Even if I wasn’t already a huge Young Avengers fan, Avengers: The Children’s Crusade would still consistently be one of the best books in my buy pile. The art is gorgeous, the story compelling and well written, the characters beloved (Hulkling, Wiccan, Speed, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver)… and its all REALLY starting to come to a boil.
In issue #7 we FINALLY get at least part of the real backstory on why Wanda went batshit crazy and Disassembled the Avengers back in 04-05. I’ll include some spoilerific details after the jump, so don’t read past the pics if you haven’t picked up the issue yet (I try to post reviews a week or so after to give you all time).
IT’S THE AVENGERS VERSUS THE X-MEN – with the Young Avengers and X-Factor caught in the crossfire — as all four teams battle to determine who will hold the Scarlet Witch responsible for her crimes. Plus, when the origin of the Scarlet Witch’s godlike powers – and the secret history of her murderous rampage in “Avengers: Disassembled” — are finally revealed, the truth creates a rift among the members of the Young Avengers that the team may not survive.
My only major objection to characterization is: bloodthirsty Cyclops seems too out of character. He’s ready to “burn the Witch where she stands” AFTER she’s demonstrates she can reverse the effects of M-Day by returning Rictor’s quake powers. Then Cyke fires an optic blast at Magneto AFTER Wanda agrees to surrender to the X-Men. I could see Wolvie being that intent on payback, but Scott is usually more open-minded. Maybe Wanda wants to be punished so she’s subconsciously affecting Cyclops’ mood?
Also of note: this month the rest of the Marvel Universe started to catch up with the events of this 9 issue miniseries. Rictor used his recently returned powers in X-Factor #225. And with Bucky six feet under, Steve Rogers is back in his old Captain America duds again. Hopefully the upcoming Avengers Annual #1 will contain an explanation for Wonder Man’s presence alongside his former teammates. Last we saw Simon (in New Avengers Annual #1) – he was leading the Revengers‘ attack on the Avengers. Perhaps that will play out soon and restore him to the fold as well?
