Gay Superheroes?

[JaceSan]

Interesting article from a local periodical. SiP is mentioned.

Sidekicks, mutants, and goddesses

"Archie was not fucking Mr. Weatherbee!"

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 03, 2003 03:10 AM: Message edited by: JaceSan ]</font>

[Chaos Butterfly]

For some reason this article made me think of the film Chasing Amy

Once again I recommend the book What they did to Princess Paragon by Robert Rodi an amusing tale of the trials and tribulations of Princess Paragon's number one fanboy when the new writers decide to make her a lesbian.

[Jadian]

Well, sometimes the movie helps. I have this whole theory about the secret love between Wolverine and Cyclops, and it's all the angst in the movies. If they really hated each other they wouldn't care so much.

I think, anyway.

[Exotic Ginger]

Well THAT never occured to me, but I've only seen the movies. Interesting...

[Branflakes]

(please, no, don't ruin Wolverine for me by making him want Cyclops)

*ahem*

For all my love and reading of comics, I've never thought to equate it with any gay subtext. I know I like X-Men partly because it is about being different in a world that hates you, but otherwise, I just like the fantasy that there could be people with powers out there one day. I agree that most actual gay characters in comics are marginalized, at least in the big titles. I guess I'd like to see more gay characters, but at the same time, for the most part, I don't care about any of the characters' love life. That's not my focus when I read. Anyone ever read Image's Gen 13? I remember when Sarah Rainmaker came out and all the letters they got over it.

I liked the article. A good example of how something (comics) oppressed and feared can become popular.

[AsIs]

Bran, check out the Gothem Central "Half a Life" story.

It is done by Greg Rucka who writes kick ass women and a major character is outed in a well written story. It also features Maggie Sawyer who had a 4-Issue miniseries back in the ninetys.

Other gay characters in comics right now, Mariko (Sunfire) in Exiles. Apollo and Midnighter in Authority. Northstar in X-Men, I think he has a crush on Iceman. Mystique leans towards Bi ever since Irene died.

There have been some rumors floated about Beast, but I think they dropped that, not sure.

And Slave Labor Graphics puts out a book called Charm School, featuring Bunny the lesbian witch, Dean the lesbian vampire and Fairer Than a lesbian Dragon Fairy looking to steal Bunny's heart away. It's fluff, but fun fluff.

[Branflakes]

I have that miniseries with Maggie Sawyer (though I think I'm missing either the 1st issue or the last one). I liked it because it was refreshing when it came out. Plus, it dealt with real issues (kids, dealing with her ex, I believe).

I'm wondering what will happen with Northstar now that he's in X-Men and getting more time. Let's hope they do well with him.

I remember wondering about Mystique and Irene's relationship right before Irene died.

The "Half a Life" story: is Gothem Central the name of the series? I don't read much DC so I need a little help in what exactly to look for at the store. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[jones]

There are/were two homosexuals in X-Statix (a comic with no equal if you like social commentary). One is Phat and the other's name I can't remember (both are secondary characters). The reason I say "are/were" is that they were lovers until it turned out that one was actually straight and only being homosexual publicly so that he could get as much camera time as the more popular members of the team -- and to keep the pretext as realistic as possible, he did not reveal this to his lover.

(I guess if you don't read X-Statix, I should point out here that much of the comic has a "cult of celebrity" theme and tries to examine what happens when mutants achieve that status -- sort of the antithesis of what most mutant books are about).

But now it seems as if this same character might really be gay after all. It's all kind of hazy, and I'm not sure if that's intentional or if Peter Milligan's attention to this sub-plot is just wavering. But either way, it's at least a different situation for depicting homosexual characters -- a nice change from the standard depiction of all gays as either victims of persecution or idealized relationship practitioners. One way or another, X-Statix always keeps you guessing.

take care

---jones()

[AsIs]

Bran, I believe I have two copys of the Maggie Sawyer series. If I find the second one I will send it to you.

Gothem Central is the series. There are three issues out in the "Half a Life" story arc with one or two to go. You can always pick up the trade when it comes out if you can't locate the issues. Gothem Central focuses on the police force in the shadow of the bat. They are a bit hostile when it comes to superheros, supervillians, vigilantes, etc. That was the underlying premise of the book, but it has veered more towards the lives of various officers. Renee Montoya and Josie Mac are two of my favorite DC characters, so a book where they get more of a presence is great.

[Branflakes]

Thanks, Asis. I'll check out Gothem on my next comic store trip.

(and that's way cool if you have an extra copy of the series)

X-Statix sounds like a comic I need to check out, too.