Northstar’s upcoming wedding in Astonishing X-Men next month and the reintroduction of a gay Alan Scott Green Lantern inspired my story X Marks Diversity – which looked back at how the X-Men have always been groundbreaking when it comes to characters of different races, cultures, religions and sexual orientation.
X-Statix Volume 1 courtesy Marvel.com
I made a glaring omission. As I was reading today’s Axel-In-Charge column on Comic Book Resources CBR’s Kiel Phegley reminded us that current Marvel Editor in Chief Axel Alonso was editor of the Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather. This Marvel MAX series relaunched the Wild West hero as open and flamboyantly gay drew criticism from anti and pro gay groups more than a decade ago. This led Alonso to remind us of two other gay heroes.
“There are plenty of gay characters in Marvel Comics that fly under the radar. Take Phat and Vivisector, for instance: teammates on the [Peter] Milligan/[Mike] Allred X-Force/X-Statix series that were also lovers. I don’t remember them provoking any controversy and I don’t think Rawhide Kid paved the road for them or any other gay characters; the opportunity was always there. Whenever you create a new character, the details of their interior or private life – stuff like their sexuality – will at some time become relevant.”
Northstar’s proposal is Marvel history now. Alonso revealed how recent events affected the storyline.
“Our best stories reflect stuff that happens in the world outside your window. When the Twin Towers fell, we did the Spidey black cover issue [“Amazing Spider-Man #36”]. when New York State legalized gay marriage, we wondered how Northstar – an openly gay super hero who’s in a long-term monogamous relationship – would respond to that development.
The world outside New Yorkers’ windows is one where gay marriage is recognized. But remember: For Northstar and Kyle, getting married is just the beginning of the story – the easy part. Marriage isn’t about the week’s vacation in Tahiti – it’s about the weekend trip to the K-Mart. A year from now, who knows – we could be looking at the historic divorce issue!” [Laughter]
For more of today’s column – a Friday must for me and I recommend for Marvel fans- here’s the link.
I complete forget this mutant couple and this X-Force reboot from two gifted creators! The title was so different at the time – I always thought of it as an X-Men book by Vertigo.
The wedding of Northstar and Kyle was a reason to celebrate for supporters of gay marraige. The first gay wedding of the Marvel Universe hit mainstream media. My stories made the front page of KOMONEWS.COM and the story was picked up on KOMO News Radio. Thanks for all the shares and comments – even the negative ones!
The announcement of Northstar’s nuptuals in Astonishing X-Men #51 by Marjorie Liu were followed by a variant cover by Marko Djurdjevic then a special “create your own wedding album” cover by Phil Noto.
Northstar’s upcoming wedding to his boyfriend Kyle has generated praise, controversy and protests. Marvel’s decision to have openly gay X-Man get married has made mainsteam media. Ken Schram of KOMO NewsRadio reached out to Howard Boyd, manager of Zanadu Comics (my Seattle comic shop!) to get his insight on the gay Marvel wedding and which DC Comics hero will be coming out.
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.
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.
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.
Astonishing X-Men #50 preview art courtesy Marvel.com
The X-Men have always broken barriers with socially relevant stories and characaters. The mutant heroes will celebrate the wedding of Northstar in June’s Astonishing X-Men #51. Marvel’s first openly gay hero, Jean-Paul Beaubier will propose to his boyfriend Kyle Jinadu in this week’s issue #50. Creative team Marjorie Liu, Mike Perkins and Marvel Editor in Chief Axel Alonso talk about the landmark issue on Marvel.com.
“The Marvel Universe has always reflected the world outside your window, so we strive to make sure our characters, relationships and stories are grounded in that reality,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor in Chief. “We’ve been working on this story for over a year to ensure Northstar and Kyle’s wedding reflects Marvel’s ‘world outside your window’ tradition.”
“The story of Northstar and Kyle is universal, and at the core of everything I write: a powerful love between two people who have to fight for it against all odds,” said writer Marjorie Liu. “This is the quintessential Marvel story, one that blends the modern world with the fantasy of super heroes in order to tell an exciting story that begins with a wedding—and continues in ways you can’t imagine.”
Astonishing X-Men #51
“As a long-time fan of the X-Men, it’s not only a true honor to be part of such a historically significant story but also a complete joy,” said artists Mike Perkins.
Northstar was born in Quebec and a member of the Canadian team Alpha Flight when he premiered in Uncanny X-Men #120. John Byrne wrote and drew the Alpha Flight original series and hinted as Jean-Paul’s sexual orientation. It wasn’t until 1992 when Northstar came out in an Alpha Flight #106 by Scott Lobdell. Northstar was recruited by Professor X to join the X-Men. Cyclops asked Jean-Paul to join the team when they moved to San Francisco. Kyle manages Northstar’s winter sports event company. The couple have been together since 2009 and recently moved to New York City after Wolverine invited Northstar to be part of his new school for mutants.
As a longtime X-Men fan it’s amazing to see how this title reflects the times. When Northstar was first introduced in the 1980’s it was against editorial policy to have a character be gay. Northstar’s coming out in 1992 was controversial. Now we’re about see the wedding of a gay hero. Maybe Northstar will appear in a future X-Men movie?
You can see the proposal tomorrow in Astonishing X-Men #50 and save the date – June 20th – for the big X-Men wedding.
