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.
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.
When it comes down to the X-Men vs. the flu, what’s a mutant to do? Get lots of rest. Drink lots of fluids. Maybe take some vitamins. Try not to get yourself killed in your weakened state. It looks like San Francisco’s resident mutant protectors are down for the count…
Is there anything worse than that slow, sinking, feeling like you’re getting sick? You can’t get warm. Your bones hurt. Your throat closes and your chest gets too heavy every time you breathe and then you know you’re doomed… so what if it happened to all the X-Men, all at once?
The Sublime are back and they’ve unleashed a contagion on Utopia. To what end? Why now? And what’s next? Who’s left in San Francisco to deal with the Collective Man? Related: where does Dazzler get all her awesome outfits? Part 1 (of 5).
With so much on the line, it all comes down to… Northstar and Dazzler? Too bad Nightcrawler died. Methinks they could use some prayers. I’m hoping we’ll see some SMART usage of Jean Paul Beaubier’s superspeed this time around. Not holding my breath tho. Also They better NOT kill Anole with a flu bug.
And think about it. A raving and oft-drunken horndog like Herc (can you say 6 beer queer?) just might have taken Jean-Paul up on a super speed hummer if they ever crossed paths. I can’t think of a time they shared an adventure ON PANEL… Anyone? I wonder if Northstar’s boyfriend Kyle knows his superhero boyfriend has bedded a demigod?
Posted in Comics, Preview on 01/08/2010 08:56 pm by fanboi
I hope we start to see Northstar be a bit more effective, with his speed, he could be a great asset but he just punches things really fast and ineffectually. He needs a utility belt and some weighted gloves. I like Tim Fish’s work so I’m looking forward to seeing where it’s going… but DO I wish it started with Northstar doing something impressive instead of requiring a rescue from… what are those? warwolves? Where would he run into those? Can they fly?
IN THIS ISSUE: Jubilee returns to the X-Men, Gambit has trouble adjusting to life on Utopia, Northstar deals with the distance that island living necessitates and No-Girl has to save all the X-Men from a foe living right under their noses. Part 2 (of 4)
Popular gay comic writer/artist Tim Fish (Cavalcade of Boys, Young Bottoms in Love) has gone on record about his upcoming Northstar story in Nation X #2 due January 8. Apparently he was a bit gun-shy about announcing it because he’s been slated to do a story about Marvel’s first out and proud hero before. That project died, but this time his inks have met with Marvel’s approval and been passed on the the colorist so it is happening. Congrats Tim! I’m looking forward to learning more about Kyle… like his last name and occupation for one. Who is he that he landed a jet setting world famous ex-Olympic skier turned snowboard entrepreneur/superhero. Tell us all about the fabulousness that is Kyle.
It is an 8 page story about the impact the separation of Northstar living on the X-Men’s Utopia is having upon the relationship between Jean Paul and his boyfriend, fellow Canadian "Kyle."
This story might be a first… Northstar intorduces Kyle as his BF and they have implied sex!
Although he was the first Marvel hero revealed to be gay way back in 1992, Northstar hadn’t been given a love interest until recently when Kyle was first introduced in Uncanny X-Men #508.
This video of Barbara Northstar singing Like a Virgin arrived in my inbox from Michael Boyce (so blame him) and I felt the need to share it if only because misery loves company. Lets hope Northstar has a day job… The costume looks great.
One more Northstar video after the jump – this time dancing in a comic book store. I think he was hoping for some tips but no such luck. Read the rest of this entry »
In Uncanny X-Men #509, Marvel’s not-so merry mutants were informed of a new initiative that Simon Trask and his hateful Humanity NOW! Coalition have put before the Marvel U’s California state legislature. Proposition X is a “Mutant Breeding Act” that would require all humans who are x-gene positive to undergo mandatory birth control procedures (which just sounds to me like a politically correct way to say sterilization) due to the violence possible around a new mutant birth. Keep in mind that this is violence that would NOT occur if not for organizations like the Humanity NOW! Coalition and it’s goose-stepping predecessors.
In regards to Proposition X and how it echoes the recent Proposition 8—an amendment to the California constitution that eliminates same-sex unions, Fraction said, “You know, I’ve officially become one of those writers that writes something and then—a couple of months later—it really happens. I thought only Grant Morrison and Alan Moore wrote things and then they actually occurred.” He added, “This is one of the dilemmas of writing contemporary science fiction; we started planning and writing out these stories close to two years ago. Simon Trask and Prop X had been written into our plans before I had even heard of Prop 8,” he chuckled, “Were I a California resident—that may have been different; it’s just one of those strange synchronicities.”
This issue also saw the return of Marvel’s first gay superhero – Northstar to the x-team! They may have been working on Prop X before hearing about Prop 8, but I doubt it is any coincidence that the writers chose to interrupt Northstar‘s welcome to San Francisco interview with the news of Proposition X. Just as the anti-mutant hysteria present since Uncanny X-Men #1 has always been a metaphor for society’s treatment of any who fall outside the narrowly defined “norm,” I am glad to see x-parallels for the unfortunately successful (for now) anti gay marriage Proposition 8.
Looking forward to the 2nd half of Colossus’ eternal quest to save his boyfriend! (Sorry couldn’t help a Xandir joke). Seeing Colossus’s intense love for Northstar was beautiful – WE DAMN BETTER WELL GET A HAPPY ENDING!!!
