I don’t know if Mister Miracle is going to be the icon DC Comics The New 52 will reintroduce as a gay hero but I think this would a good choice. When you look at the origin of Mister Miracle (the original Scott Free) it mirrors the life experiences some LGBT people go through on their journey to acceptance.
Jack Kirby created Mister Miracle as part of his Fourth World. Scott Free is the son of Highfather of the New Gods of New Genesis. In an effort to prevent war Highfather of New Genesis and Darkseid exchanged sons* as the ultimate fail safe so neither would attack the other’s world.
Scott lived a life unaware of his heritage and rebelled against the totalitarian world of Apokolips. He also hated himself for not fitting in but Scott found hope in the teachings of a rebel (Himon was born on New Genesis and living undercover on Apokolips.) Scott fell in love with a fellow rebel named Big Barda who later became his wife.
Mister Miracle escapes on the cover of Jack Kirby's Fourth World Volume 2 courtesy DC Comics
Scott escaped (nullifying the truce and triggering a war) to Earth and trained under a circus escape artist going by the name Mister Miracle. Scott and Barda returned to face Darkseid, win their freedom and would return to Earth and become members of the Justice League.
Like Scott Free many gay men and women live an early life of self-loathing and wondering why they don’t fit it a world that tells them who they are is wrong. Scott had a difficult journey of discovery to find his true identity and self-acceptance. Scott Free escaped his past to create his own future. Mister Miracle shows us that the person and not their upbringing (even with a father like Darkseid) shapes their own destiny.
*Orion was raised by Highfather on New Genesis and learned to control his rage. Orion learned to deal with his dark, angry heritage and would become the greatest warrior of both worlds and a member of the Justice League.
Tom Hiddleston as Loki & Chris Hemsworth as Thor in Thor courtesy Marvel
Mads Mikkelsen is in talks to play the villain in Thor 2 according to Variety. Mikkelson played Le Chiffre in Daniel Craig’s first James Bond film Casino Royale. The Danish actor appeared in the Clash of the Titans remake.
I have to admit I’m scratching my head trying to think of which villain Mikkelsen might play: Malekith the Accursed, leader of the Dark Elves or Mephisto (this character could reappear in multiple movie franchises since he’s the Marvel version of the devil.) What if this actor is voicing Fafnir the dragon?
Let the speculation begin!
Tom Hiddleston will reprise his role as Loki and still be a major antagonist for the Thunder God. Chris Hemsworth talked about the potential for Loki’s redemption for his actions in The Avengers. A bigger new bad guy could united Thor and Loki in the sequel…until Loki betrays him again!
I would love to see Alexander Skarsgard as Balder the Brave and Charlize Theron as Amora the Enchantress.
Astonishing X-Men #51 variant by Marko Djurdjevic courtesy Marvel.com
The first openly gay X-Man will make Marvel history next month by marrying his boyfriend Kevin Jinadu in Astonishing X-Men #51. Marvel revealed a Create Your Wedding Album variant by Phil Noto cover in which you can add your photo to Jean-Paul & Kevin, Luke Cage & Jessica Jones, Reed and Sue Richards and more famous Marvel superheroes.
Today Marvel.com revealed this more intimate variant cover of the happy couple by Marko Djurdjevic.
I appreciate all the positive response to my X Marks Diversity story. I’ve been a fan of this Canadian mutant since Alpha Flight and it’s cool to see Jean-Paul be part of a historic moment.
This jumped started my day – two new commercials for The Dark Knight Rises proving Christopher Nolan’s final Batman film will not be all doom and gloom. There are some great quick funny lines by Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and Michael Caine as Alfred. But my favorite moment is Anne Hathaway as Catwoman stealing the show and something else from Bruce Wayne. Take a look at these new spots collected by Collider.
This is the third big treat for Batman fans this week: New posters, these spots and the relaunch of the Batman Inc comic book! The film opens July 20th.
Fans are celebrating Northstar’s upcoming wedding to his boyfriend Kyle. Marvel revealed the proposal in Astonishing X-Men #50 and the ceremony in next month’s #51. Maybe it was just a dream wedding?
This week’s issue #50 made good on the proposal but not where I expected it. Marvel and writer Marjorie Liu are being praised for the landmark gay wedding announcement but let’s not forget this writer knows how to deliver action, twists as well as emotion.
Northstar seeks advice from fellow X-Men on how to resolve his issues with Kyle as they investigate the mystery behind the recent attack by a new team of Marauders. Jean-Paul’s romantic actions don’t go off as planned. Wolverine gets an assist from Avenger Black Widow in their mission. Warbird continues to be a perfect scene stealer. Bobby gets the best lines. Liu sets up a moment and Iceman zings it home.
Given the media attention you may have been expecting a heavier dose of romance this issue. Liu and artist Mike Perkins are far from finishing this mystery. Hints of a SHIELD cover-up, Kyle in the crosshairs of a stalker and Northstar’s nightmare from issue #48 coming true have to be wrapped up before the big day next month.
Tonight is the finale of REVENGE on ABC so I thought it was a perfect time to revisit this crazy idea I had:
They’re rich, powerful, blonde, manipulative and can deliver razor-sharp one liners like a Hand assassin throws a dagger.
Emma Frost is the reformed White Queen of the Hellfire Club and now co-leader of the X-Men. Emma could teach Emily a few maneuvers!
Nolan Ross (played by Gabriel Mann) is the witty, scheming, brilliant high-tech billionaire with too much time, money and tech on the hit ABC show Revenge.
If ever too characters from similar worlds but different mediums should cross over its these two. As I watch Revenge I can’t help but think if Emma had a long-lost twin it might be Nolan. Here’s to the “good” guys with an edge who keep us entertained.
This is what happens when a geek has too much time his hands – spinning two of my favorite vices into a twisted idea. Disney does own both companies behind these properties and I can see Frost on holiday in the Hamptons crossing paths with Ross – if he survives tonight’s season finale. Here’s hoping because Revenge wouldn’t be as sweet without him!
Marvel invites you to the wedding of X-Man Northstar to his boyfriend Kyle in Astonishing X-Men #51 this June. Today Marvel revealed a way you can personalize this landmark moment and issue: a Create Your Wedding Variant.
When I saw this it really took me back! Phil Noto recreates famous Marvel ceremonies including Cyclops and Jean Grey, Scarlet Witch and Vision, Storm and Black Panther, Reed Richards and Susan Storm of the Fantastic Four and one of my favorite super couples: Luke Cage and Jessica Jones!
Jean-Paul Beaubier and Kyle Jinadu join the pantheon of Marvel couples while making history in the first Marvel gay wedding ceremony. You can include your own romantic photo.
Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins bring you the groundbreaking story with a cover by Dustin Weaver. Astonishing #51 (and all the variants) arrive June 20th.
The upcoming wedding of Northstar to Kyle in Astonishing X-Men #51 next month is the latest reason to celebrate our love of the mutant super heroes. From the beginning the X-Men represent diversity and overcoming differences. These heroes don’t just fight bad guys. They fight discrimination and intolerance.
When Stan Lee created X-Men #1 his young heroes had powers because of genetics. Stan the Man conceived “Born This Way” before Lady Gaga made it an anthem. Professor Xavier taught his students how to use their powers for the good of all humanity. Magneto was a Jew and his horrific experiences in World War II brought him into direct conflict with Xavier’s teachings.
In the 1970’s Len Wein and Dave Cockrum helped introduce the “all new, all different” X-Men. The team’s new additions reflected the changing world. Ororo Munroe aka Storm was an African woman. John Proudstar/Thunderbird was an Apache Native American. His brother James would eventually take the code name Warpath. Shiro Yoshida was the first Japanese X-Man code-named Sunfire who later had his own team and title: Big Hero Six.
German Kurt Wager is still my favorite X-Man. Nightcrawler lived the ultimate in irony. Kurt was a compassionate, devoted Catholic, sweet soul but genetics gave him the appearance of a demon. My other favorite is Kitty Pryde, a Jewish girl from Chicago who joined the X-Men as a teenager. Kitty was frightened of Kurt for years and their evolving friendship was one of my favorite ongoing storylines.
Writer Chris Claremont was the creative force behind the X-Men for nearly two decades. Claremont made Storm leader of the team. In the early 1980’s having an African-American female in charge of the team was a big breakthrough. Storm would fall in love with Forge, a Native American mutant and Vietnam veteran. Storm would later become leader of X-Treme X-Men, the Queen of Wakanda (she married the Black Panther) and became an Avenger.
Claremont explored the issue of apartheid with the creation of Genosha. On this island nation off the African coast mutants were enslaved and considered natural resources not equal citizens. The X-Men were involved in liberating the mutants of the nation over several storylines.
The New Mutants graphic novel cover courtesy Marvel.com
Claremont was creator of the future generation of X-Men. The New Mutants continued the legacy of creating diversity. Danielle Moonstar was a Cheyenne Native American and became team leader. Karma was a devout Catholic from Vietnam. Shan later came out as a lesbian. Sunspot was Brazilian.
John Byrne was a co-plotter and artist on the early Claremont era. Byrne created the Canadian team Alpha Flight including Northstar. Byrne said he intended to have Jean Paul come out back in the 1980’s but it was against editorial policy at the time and the comics code authority. In 1992 Northstar came out in Alpha Flight #106 under writer Scott Lobdell.
Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza were the primary writers of the X-Men in the 1990’s. Lobdell co-created Generation X which included Skin, a Hispanic American who escaped from gang life in Los Angeles to join the team. M (Monet St. Croix) is Algerian, Muslim and became a popular member of X-Factor.
Generation Hope #10 courtesy Marvel.com
The X-Men welcomed Bishop, an African-American mutant from the future. Dr. Cecilia Reyes is a doctor of Puerto Rican background. She reluctantly joined but focused on her career as a surgeon instead of being a superhero. Neal Shaara is a Hindi from India who joined the team. Jubilee is an Asian-American “mall rat” who joined the X-Men and Generation X. Wolverine’s former sidekick is now a vampire. This is yet another example of how X-writers explore differences while telling a compelling action story.
The 21st century saw the creation of more mutant heroes from diverse background. Dust is a devout Muslim Wolverine rescued from Afghanistan. Oya of Generation Hope is from Kenya and her religious beliefs make her think of herself as a monster. Frenzy is an African-American ex-villain who recently joined X-Men Legacy.
X-Factor's Shatterstar and Rictor courtesy Marvel.com
Peter David pushes boundaries in X-Factor. After years of hinting that they were attracted to each other Shatterstar (a warrior from another dimension) and Mexican mutant Rictor fell in love. It’s not all perfect for this mutant couple because they often fight because of Shatterstar’s flirting. X-Factor has been nominated by GLAAD for Outstanding Comic Book Series. Other GLBT characters in the X-family include Anole, Bling and Graymalkin.
The X-Men writers and editors have always reflected our world. Characters and storylines have been a way to directly or indirectly explore the issues of race, religion and sexual orientation. X-Men will always be a best-selling title because we can see ourselves, the conflict and the hope that we’ll learn from our differences, survive and thrive.
By Editor
I know there’s probably a favorite mutant I may have left out of this story. Please add a comment or email me who you think deserves to be added.
