Marvel’s Hercules is 100% heterosexual.
In an earlier, alternate universe Herc he was in a relationship with James Howlett, aka Wolverine so fans were naturally curious about Herc when he returns.
Marvel’s Editor-In-Chief clarified when the Olympian God makes his comic book comeback this November he will be straight.
But it raises a question: where are the GLBT characters in a leading role in a Marvel book?
If not Herc, then who? Continue reading GAY HERO In A LEADING ROLE
Midnighter blasted from the pages of Grayson into his own solo book. DC Comics shared a look inside Midnighter #2.
The Midnighter is one of the few GLBT heroes headling his own series by writer Steve Orlando. Born in the pages of Stormwatch and The Authority, Midnighter guest starred in Dick Grayson’s solo spy book.
Now Midnighter is after stolen tech and his past.
Here’s the official description with preview art by Alec Morgan. Continue reading MIDNIGHTER #2 Preview
One of the most extreme and uniquely dark anti-hero of DC or any comics gets his own new series this June – one of 24 new books following Convergence.
You might call Midnighter a hybrid of Batman/Wolverine/Captain America but he’s very unusual and distinct as one of the few openly gay heroes and he’s an extremely violent hero.
Midnighter debuted in Stormwatch, then co-starred with his future husband Apollo in The Authority, had a brief solo Wildstorm. In teh New 52, Midnighter was part of a revamped Stormwatch and recently clashed with super spy Dick Grayson in Grayson.
He’s one of our top picks for a GLBT DC character to star in their own television series.
Writer Steve Orlando explains why he’s taking on Midnighter in a new DCComics.com interview: Continue reading MIDNIGHTER Solo Preview
Bunker debuts in Teen Titans #3 this week. Creators say the Mexican teen is openly gay and flamboyant. The online teaser sparked debate, praise and some scorn. Robot 6 has a good post about the early reaction.
Comic book universes are still dominated by white males in the pages of comics and behind the scenes. Bunker is the a new creation as part of an effort to make the DC universe more diverse. Bunker’s arrival made me think of the GLBT heroes that I’ve followed over the years.
I would have to say that Marvel has taking the lead when it comes to creating gay heroes. Northstar of the Canadian team Alpha Flight was created in 1979 but finally came out in 1992. With news of Alpha Flight being cancelled I’m hoping Northstar will return to the X-Men. In last week’s post I made my case for Jean-Paul joining Wolverine’s new school and team.
The X-Men family of books have always has a theme of diversity and anti-discrimination with several GLBT characters. Rictor and Shatterstar are boyfriends in X-Factor. Karma is a lesbian member of New Mutants. Anole and Graymalkin are young mutants still in training to be be potential X-Men.
One of my favorite titles is the Young Avengers. Hulkling and Wiccan are boyfriends but being gay is the least of their family troubles. Hulking is an alien wanted by two enemy races. Wiccan may be the long lost son of the Scarlet Witch. Avengers: The Children’s Crusade may reveal the truth about Wiccan’s parentage.
DC’s most famous gay characters are Apollo and Midnighter. The duo was created in Stormwatch which morphed into The Authority under the Wildstorm banner. Imagine Superman and a Batman/Wolverine hybrid as a gay couple and you have Apollo and Midnighter. I would say The Authority is for mature readers for the graphic violence. The two heroes were married. Apollo and Midnighter are members of the new Stormwatch.
DC is the only publisher to feature a lesbian as the star of her own series. When Batwoman was revamped a few years ago, Kate Kane came out and has been kicking butt in Gotham City. Batman’s home turf is the home to another lesbian character. Detective Renee Montoya was introduced on Batman the Animated Series but when she joined the book Gotham Central she was made a lesbian and made more butch.
Teen Titans #3 could be a book to buy for historical reasons. As far as I know, Bunker will be the most flamboyant openly gay character in a mainstream title. As for how out there, we’ll have to read and see. If you know of other gay heroes and heroines I may have left out – I want to hear from you.