If I had written this article for a comic book centric website, then I would have said "Top Ten Gay Moments in SUPER HERO Comic Book History" But for a larger audience, "Comic Book" still means "Super Hero."
...
This wasn't a list based on quality, otherwise the awful Rawhide Kid series or Alpha Flight's coming out issue wouldn't even be here. Those stories got headlines in the mainstream press. Stan Lee went on CNN to talk about their "gay cowboy" book. Rictor and Shatterstar were all over sites like Perez Hilton and similar ones.
Which is where he loses me. You could argue that the overtones between Batman and Robin caused a media frenzy when they were more prominent, but to argue that they're significant, or even mildly relevant to LGBT(QI) acceptance in comics simply can't be a honest statement. Doonesbury is a syndicated strip with an expansive readership, and exposed thousands of readers to heartfelt commentary in Andy's battle with AIDS, which, while we're discussing semantics, is much more of a "moment" than the haphazard pairings and character names that appear on the list. No one can blame Diaz for trying to expose his readers to these admittedly prominent, gay characters, but the article would've hugely benefited from additional, comprehensive research and more selective diction. What comics do you think would better fit the "Important Gay Moments" mantle?
I have to say, I found this one pretty amusing. Comic artist Cliff Chiang apparently has a bit of a hobby when not drawing comics. He has been recreating the album covers of classic 80's soundtracks with superheroes. Check out some examples below!
A friend sent this to me today. His email consisted of only these words: "Dude, so this is about the most awesome thing I've ever seen". Honestly, I think he might be right, as rarely have I encountered anything as cool as the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. Their site features a catalogue of unlikely delights, from the basics like capes (for heroes and sidekicks alike) to more advanced vigilante paraphernalia such as secret identities, maps and manuals to help one begin, adjust to or survive the superhero lifestyle. They even say that the many powders and potions one can buy do contain something safe and fun though they won't say exactly what. I'm still holding out hope that it means their gallon can of muscle comes with a beefy delivery guy.
Of course, the Internet is chock full of clever tchotchke shops. What makes this one unique is that it is run by and benefits 826NYC, a non-profit organization focused on developing writing skills and creativity in children between ages 6 and 18 in the New York City schools. The group does workshops, one-on-one tutorials, field trips and classroom support for teachers. I really can't think of many better gift-giving ways to show one's love for all things spandex and, as of this writing, there are four days left to order should one want to receive purchases before the holidays.
You guys may recall I was a bit cranky about Northstar and his lack of lovin' about a year and a half ago. In fact, at the time, I issued a challenge to Marvel to get him a kiss by June 2009 or I would declare him not really gay.
I have not forgotten about this.
However, when the X-men moved to San Francisco this year, we were teased with the existence of what looked to be Northstar's boyfriend (and manager), so I delayed judgment until we could see more.
Since then, Northstar hasn't had a lot of major appearances, as there have been about a thousand major crossover events in the Marvel universe in the last six months, and each one tends to disrupt the normal storyline for most books, including the many X-books. So I waited.
Our patience seems to have been rewarded! Artist Tim Fish revealed on his blog that his upcoming story in Nation X #2 (which comes out in Jan.) is a story about Northstar, and will feature Kyle, his boyfriend in an 8-page story. I'm not sure if an actual kiss is in it, but it's implied that there is some lovin' going on. Check out some sketches of Northstar, Kyle, and Aurora below, and we'll keep you up to date when we get closer to Jan.
Yes, I am using this post as an excuse to once again post Ryan Reynolds abs.
But, there is also relevant Green Lantern movie news! MTVnews have recently revealed to us a couple of interesting facts about the upcoming (and long overdue) film.
First, Ryan Reynolds talks about the costumes and how he fell in love with the character.
REYNOLDS: I think, seeing the prototypes for the Green Lantern costumes was a huge moment. It was a moment when I was like, "This is happening, and it's happening in the right way." That's a pretty cool, definitive moment for me.
MTV: Does your love of "Green Lantern" and Hal Jordan go back far?
REYNOLDS: I've known about "Green Lantern" my whole life, but I've never really followed it before. I fell in love with the character when I met with [director] Martin Campbell. When I sat down with him, I really got what it is that this guy is all about. When you have a guy like Martin Campbell, part of his charm is that he has ba--s of titanium, and the other part is that he's slightly crazy, and you have to be to take on something with the scope of "Green Lantern." He's less of the director and more of a general. He just really knows strategies, he knows the intricacies, and his attention to detail! It's infectious. I sat down with him, and I could not even believe what he was saying. When I went to the meeting, I was entirely cynical. I thought, "What the hell, I'll see what they have to say," and I left the room with a completely different perspective.
He also discussed the story of the film.
REYNOLDS: "It is [an origin story] to a certain degree, but it's not a labored origin story, where the movie [truly] begins in the third act," he explained. "The movie starts when it starts. We find out Hal is the guy fairly early on, and the adventure begins."
"That to me is the tough thing to get right," he explained. "And that's something that they did get right [in 'Iron Man']. You see why this guy's in the suit, and that's what's interesting to me. Not that he is in the suit, but why."
And one last little tidbit, apparently the Green Lantern film was initially offered to Quentin Tarantino! He turned it down however. To be honest, I am glad. I love Tarantino, but I don't think he'd be right for a Green Lantern movie. (He should do an Iron Fist movie though).
I spent this weekend carving the turkey at my boyfriend's family's Thanksgiving dinner, cooking up dressing and barbecued turkey for friends, slogging through the last ten thousand words of my National Novel Writing Month effort and then vegetating in front of the backlog of FlashForward and Being Human I've had hanging around on the TiVo since forever, two shows I consider to be very comic-y in their formulation and presentation. Needless to say, not a lot of comics got read. However, I have read Detective Comics #858 and #859, to be reviewed later this week, and I polished off the last of Models, Inc., to be reviewed next week after I've consulted the oracles on whether this series is the strangest comic ever made, the most perfect or both.
In the meantime, two things: first, I have the tiny tears of some very sad heroes to cut the saccharine aftertaste of our current season: jsalvador's Super 'Emo' Friends on Etsy. Think of them as the bite-sized offspring of comic books and Post Secrets, limited edition prints of sad characters expressing their innermost angst. I love the art and the child-like frisson of sympathy and amusement they inspire.
Second, on my way through the comics shop on Friday - mine was having a sale on action figures, and I am a sucker for the Batman in molded plastic - I was literally stopped short and caused to do a double-take when I saw Shade the Changing Mancollected in trade paperback form sitting on the shelf with one of the shop's DayGlo-colored new this week! signs. My husboyfner collected most of it in individual issues when it came out some mumbled number of years ago but I resisted investing a lot of effort in reading it because he doesn't have them all. Now I can actually sit down with what I'm willing to say may in fact be the most Generation X of all the very slackers-y comics of that era - vacillation between emotional intensity and emotional distance, disillusionment, gender-bending, sexual experimentation, questions of uncertain identity, the passion of highly personal art and magical trench coats, yum - and read it start to finish? Oh, honey, what did my bank account ever do to Vertigo, anyway? That put me in mind of what books would go on my recommended holiday shopping list, so starting this week I'll be using the next three Fridays to post capsule reviews of recently-collected comics I think make great gifts.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Here's a sneak peak at what's coming out this week, so you'll know what you'll be reading on that long drive to grandma's, or more likely, what will be in your hands when you pass out from too much turkey.
Powers #1
Because you asked for it, you got it... Powers is back! Monthly! From the writer of your favorite blockbuster Marvel comics (Dark Avengers, New Avengers, Secret Invasion, Ultimate Spider-Man) Brian Michael Bendis and award-winning artist Michael Oeming (Mice Templar) comes a brand new chapter in one of the most successful creator-owned comics of the decade! Homicide Detectives Christian Walker and Enki Sunrise investigate murders specific to super hero cases... powers. Where super hero and crime comics explode into each other! This new number one is the perfect jumping on point for new readers, and a glorious return to form for long time fans.
Jericho Season 3 #1
Continues right where Season 2 cliffhanger ended! Jake Green & Robert Hawkins are in the safe haven of the Texas with the last remaining bomb from the first attack. From amidst the chaos, they're contacted by John Smith, the mastermind behind the first strike, seeking aid. As the Cheyenne army bears down on them, they must decide whether to side with their former enemy to fight a greater one.
Archie #603
"Archie Marries Betty: Will You Marry Me?": Has Archie had a change of heart? He just married Veronica, so how can it be that he's now proposing to comics' favorite girl-next-door, Betty? It looks like Archie may have taken another walk up Memory Lane... and it's taken him back to that fateful day when he graduated from college. Just like last time, Archie's decided to get married. But unlike last time, he's decided to get married to a different girl! What led Archie to pick Betty over Veronica after all? How will Veronica react? With Mr. Cooper out of work, who will pay for the wedding? Can Archie even afford to get married without a job of his own? Can Veronica swallow her pride enough to be Betty's maid of honor... and is there any guarantee she won't ruin the wedding?
Blackest Night #5
The moment you've hungered for finally arrives! Who controls death in the DC Universe? NEKRON -- Lord of the Undead! The dark being behind the undead Black Lanterns makes his presence and purpose known, and our heroes discover they're not only fighting for their lives, but their after-lives as well. Don't miss this game-changing issue from superstar writer Geoff Johns and stellar artist Ivan Reis!
Check us out after the jump for the full release list.
I use Google to have news items of interest show up in my RSS reader. Over the last few days I've seen blips in that filtered stream of information indicating that there is to be a musical - a Broadway musical production - based on Spider-Man. This weekend the staff of Pink Kryptonite received a press release about it. What blows my mind is that Bono and The Edge wrote the music. That... that sounds pretty awesome, actually.
From the press release:
Michael Cohl said, "Having started early on with SPIDER-MAN and now taking on the lead producing role is extremely exciting and a welcome challenge. Knowing the details and intricacies of this wildly ambitious project, I want to 'turn off the dark' on all the wild speculation about the show -- it's moving forward!"
SPIDER-MAN director Julie Taymor said, "With a team that includes Bono, Edge and Glen Berger, there was never a question in my mind that SPIDER-MAN would happen - it was just a matter of when. I am delighted that Michael Cohl is making this a reality."
After an exhaustive search that included a casting call tour spanning six cities and thousands of candidates, the producers and creative team have selected Reeve Carney to play the role of Peter Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man. Carney joins previously announced cast members Evan Rachel Wood as Mary Jane Watson, Peter Parker's girlfriend and Alan Cumming as Norman Osborn (aka Green Goblin).
OK, first, as others of our staff have said, Alan Cumming as Norman Osborn? Personally, I am a little thrilled by that because the man has more of the look I associate with the Green Goblin - waify and gangly and nimble - than the current comic book Osborn, who looks like the state wrestling champion's psychopathic dad.
AHR has used multiple exclamation points in her endorsement of this musical, as she is a huge fan of Julie Taymor. I am, too, though I didn't realize it until I researched her career: she's done everything from acting to directing to costume to set design and she's won Tonies, Emmies and Oscars. She directed Titus. I mean... dude.
That said, the press release made me think two things:
First, comics have long since been being brought over into TV and film, but the stage? As a musical? I just fawned over an episode of Batman: the Brave and the Bold for being a musical, I know, but I'm kind of surprised to see an entire musical about a known superhero. There's no reason for me to be surprised: it's not like it's the first musical about someone swinging around on stage (Peter Pan) or the first musical about a superhero (Dr. Horrible) or the first time a comic book has been adapted to another medium (oh, honey, please). Still, I found myself thinking it was a little out of left field to turn Spider-Man into a musical. With names like that, though, and with Peter Parker - who is possibly the most sympathetic male* superhero ever written - as the star character, I think surely it would be difficult for it not to be exciting.
Second, have you seen the little elfin studcakes they've got playing the title character? Let's just say I had a variety of autonomic responses to the press photo, presented to you here. As soon as I get done posting this I'm going to be writing the producers a heartfelt letter inquiring as to whether they have cast the part of Doctor Octopus or plan to use him, as I would be perfect for the role. I can guarantee that if they left me alone in a room with this guy I'd be all hands and aggressive tendencies.
At the very least, surely Broadway is the place for Spider-Man and the Green Goblin to kiss and make up at last. Or just, y'know, kiss.
Noah Berlatsky, writer for the Chicago Reader and The Comics Journal, posted his seminar on homosexuality in comic book ideology on his blog, titled Comics In The Closet. Though he opens up with a kitschy cartoon involving a comics shop made of splooge, the dialog brings up some controversial talking points, questioning if a conflict in straight male identity would have subconsciously affected the writers who crafted some of our most beloved origin stories, and may leave you wondering if Peter Parker had an Oedipal complex. Whether you believe there were sexual subtexts to Batman and Robin's relationship, or if you think they were just friends, the posts offer a change in perspective that you'll definitely want to mull over. The NSFW transcript can be found here [Part 1] and here [Part 2].
In observation and celebration of DC's 75th anniversary a line of DC-related & -inspired designer merch is hitting the shelves at Bloomingdale's. As a fan of Batman and a student of Japanese I have a particular appreciation for the Batman shirts that include "Bato-man" in Katakana. The hottie in the picture is purely a coincidence and in no way influenced my selection, I assure you, especially if you're my boyfriend.
Apparently there's a launch event featuring sales and cocktails at Bloomingdale's brick and mortar stores on Wednesday night. If you live out of range of a physical store, as I do, the DC goods are also available on their website.
Last week was big for gay comic news, with the sudden appearance of Shatterstar in X-Factor, and the even more sudden kiss between him and Rictor. This relationship had been hinted at in X-Force after Shatterstar was merged with a human being and began to display emotions, but nothing had come of it until now.
Since the kiss became known last week, current X-Factor writer Peter David has assured fans that this isn't a cop-out. In other words, we won't get Rictor pulling away in the first panel of next months issue, wondering what the hell is going on.
However, one of the original creators of Shatterstar, Rob Liefeld, apparently disagrees with the direction the character is going. Here's some quotes (from Rob) from his official forum.
"As the guy that created, designed and wrote his first dozen appearances, Shatterstar is not gay. Sorry. Can't wait to someday undo this. Seems totally contrived.
... I have nothing against gays, I have gay family, nuthin' but love here. Ditto gay characters if that's what their true origins are."
Most of the forums responses I saw were supportive of this opinion, however, one fan did bring up a dissenting opinion about how other writers had fleshed out the character and alluded to the possible relationship with Rictor. Liefeld responded
"Your opinion doesn't change the fact that it sucks and it's not a positive move in most fans' eyes. And it's all well and fine that you don't respect a creator's wishes or intent. I'm different like that."
I wish I could bring you more of this commentary, but my IP was banned from the Liefeld forums before I could post a question or even read more of the thread than was highlighted by CBR. Presumably because I used my GayGamer e-mail address. (maybe they thought I was there to cause trouble?)
Now, before people start passing judgment, there are a few things I want to discuss. Liefeld IS one of the characters creators, and Shatterstar was created emotionless. He wasn't created as a gay character, (or a character of ANY sexuality). However, neither was Northstar (although in his case, the creator realized later he subconsciously thought of him as gay when created him). Being gay is one of those aspects of a person that ISN'T known until later in their life.
So where do we draw the line? For comics to remain interesting, characters need to be able to change, at least a little. But certainly creator intent has to factor into things, otherwise we end up with situations like Northstar being retconned as a 'fairy' (which mirrors this situation, in a way). Is it that wrong to protest a fairly drastic change to something you created, even if Marvel now gets the final say? Will Liefeld ever actually get a chance to undo this? What do you guys think?
THis here spiffy little image has been popping up all over the place lately. Marvel's books and website has seen the lone star appear with nary an explination, just the date "July" stamped underneath.
I've seen some blogs wonder what it's all about (I told them to ask Alfie). Some think it's the return of Steve Rogers, some think it's something to do with the forthcoming Captain America film currently in production.
Personally, I'm willing to bet it's nothing more than a house ad for when the Captain America book goes back to its original numbering as it turns 600. The Big M have gotten into turning their icon books back to the heavyhitting numbers when they reach milestones. A quick look in the Previews guide shows the July-shipping issue jumping back to the original numbering (depending on what you qualify as "original").
So throw up some fireworks, wave that flag and pop back a cold one with the Sentinel of Liberty,
Northstar's Boyfriend Coming In January!
You guys may recall I was a bit cranky about Northstar and his lack of lovin' about a year and a half ago. In fact, at the time, I issued a challenge to Marvel to get him a kiss by June 2009 or I would declare him not really gay. I have not forgotten about this. However, when the X-men moved to San Francisco this year, we were teased with the existence of what looked to be Northstar's boyfriend (and manager), so I delayed judgment until we could see more. Since then, Northstar hasn't had a lot of major appearances, as there have been about a thousand major crossover events in the Marvel universe in the last six months, and each one tends to disrupt the normal storyline for most books, including the many X-books. So I waited. Our patience seems to have been rewarded! Artist Tim Fish revealed on his blog that his upcoming story in Nation X #2 (which comes out in Jan.) is a story about Northstar, and will feature Kyle, his boyfriend in an 8-page story. I'm not sure if an actual kiss is in it, but it's implied that there is some lovin' going on. Check out some sketches of Northstar, Kyle, and Aurora below, and we'll keep you up to date when we get closer to Jan. NATION X #2 1/6/10 [TimFishWorks]...
