Someone is killing Seattle’s super heroes and X-Factor Investigations is on the case.
In Marvel’s May solicits for X-Factor #235 a new villain called Scattershot debuts and Shatterstar goes berserk! This new bad guy sure looks like a hybrid of two mutants – maybe a Super Skrull is at work?
Here’s the link about the new Seattle heroes debuting in X-Factor #234, the story about real self-proclaimed super heroes and more reasons why the hometown of Comics Blend is so comic book cool!
The Superhero Registration Act/Civil War and M-Day/The Decimation are critical moments in Marvel’s recent history. Peter David brilliantly takes the essence of those plots and twists them into a bizarre new world. Jamie Madrox is trapped in that dimension in X-Factor #231.
Last issue saw Wolverine give comfort to a grieving Layla and give Havok and Polaris roles on X-Factor Investigations. But this issue focuses on Madrox being hunted in a world with giant Iron Men and a mutated take on the mutant/human conflict.
Peter David delivers action and wit. Jamie is caught in a war between a vicious Tony Stark and a shocking version of Deathlok. The one liners and puns fly fast and hilarious. Madrox seems like a hybrid of Deadpool and Daredevil in Excalibur’s Cross-Time Caper.
I’m thrilled to have Havok and Polaris on the team and look forward to the GLAAD recognized Rictor/Shatterstar romance evolve but this Madrox solo issue is fun and thrilling
Today Marvel recognized the creative teams of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade and X-Factor for their GLAAD Media Awards. Both are nominated in Best Comic Book category.
“We try very hard at Marvel to be inclusive of people of all backgrounds, all races, all religions and all orientations,” said Tom Brevoort, Marvel’s Senior Vice-President of Publishing and editor of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. “And to make sure that a reader of any stripe can find a character that reflects their experiences within our stories.”
“Usually when you say, ‘It’s an honor just to be nominated,’ that’s code for prepping yourself for disappointment,” says X-Factor writer Peter David. “But in this instance, it genuinely is an honor considering that X-Factor was nominated and won last year. Not a convention goes by where a fan or fans comes up to me to tell me how much Rictor and Shatterstar’s relationship means to them, and that always fills me with a sense of pride; and also a feeling of—to borrow a page from Spidey—great responsibility. I’m just glad that Marvel has consistently allowed me the latitude to explore these kinds of topics.”
Allan Heinberg is the writer of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade featuring gay teens Wiccan and Hulkling. X-Factor made an appearance in this series.
For today’s complete press release click here. For my previous posts about all the nominated books (and who I want to win and who I think will win) click here and here.
I love Seattle. It’s been my home for 13+ years. We have great comic book stores, cafes and cons: Emerald City Comicon, Geek Girl Con and Jet City Comic Show. Ed Brubaker calls Seattle home so that makes us pretty cool too. Oh and we have a Troll eating a volkswagen under an overpass…seriously.
We already have a real life masked crime fighter named Phoenix Jones, leader of the Rain City Superhero Movement.
Now Peter David is giving us two new super heroes in X-Factor #234. Marvel’s April Solicitation for the issue “introduces Seattle’s new heroes: The Insignia and Shutterbug. (One of whom may not make it though the issue.)”
Will they be mutants? Does this mean X-Factor Investigations latest case will take the detectives to the Emerald City?
The teaser promises a catfight too. Monet and Layla have a showdown and a dead X-Factor member returns. I’m in! You really should come check out ECCC-it’s March 30-April 1 and budge some time to go see the Troll.
GLAAD, The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, reveals the nominees for Outstanding Comic Book for 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards:
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, by Allan Heinberg (Marvel)
Batwoman, by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman (DC Comics)
Secret Six, by Gail Simone (DC Comics)
Veronica Presents: Kevin Keller, by Dan Parent (Archie Comics)
X-Factor, by Peter David (Marvel Comics)
All of these nominated books feature a gay or lesbian lead character or a gay character in the ensemble.
X-Factor won last year. Rictor and Shatterstar are boyfriends and co-workers at X-Factor Investigations. Rictor is a Mexican mutant who lost his powers but recently was repowered in Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. Shatterstar is a mutant warrior from another dimension – and wants an open relationship. Rictor wants them to stay monogamous.
Batwoman is Kate Kane, lipstick lesbian socialite of Gotham City and caped crusader by night. The fan favorite crime fighter is the star of her own DC Comics New 52 series.
Kevin Keller is the front-runner. Archie Comics showcased an openly gay character in an all-ages book. Kevin is serving openly in the military with an African-American boyfriend. The partners were featured on gay wedding ceremony cover. Archie Comics didn’t just publish the story but gave Kevin’s story a big marketing push and it made huge mainstream headlines.
Thanks to Comics Alliance for the story.
For my pick to win and possible nominees for 2012 scroll down or click here for part two.
I experienced an enjoyable sense of Deja Vu this week from X-Factor #230. It’s a reboot event and some mutants are left without a team for post-Schism dodgeball! Rogue (via writer Mike Carey) brought Havok, Polaris and Rachel Summers back from deep space. Rachel signed up to teach at the Jean Grey School. Havok and Polaris seemingly had no place (or X-title) to call home until this week when Logan brings the long-suffering lovers to X-Factor Investigations.
I could help but think back to the aftermath of the Muir Island Saga when a second X-Men title was born (and the original X-Men left X-Factor for these books) and X-Force, Excalibur regrouped back in the early 90’s. I was an ignorant youth back then when I thought ‘they just put all the leftover characters in this other title that doesn’t have anybody!’
Havok, Polaris, Madox, Wolfsbane, Quicksilver and Guido (I’m the Strong Guy so call me Strong Guy) became the mutant team working for the U.S. government. I was a huge fan of Peter David from The Incredible Hulk so I gave this team of what I thought were leftovers a try – and it was perfect.
Peter David and Larry Stroman took these refugees from every corner of the mutant-verse to create a team that was compelling and often hilarious. David transformed background mutants into major characters I cheered for and cared about.
This X-Factor faced Mister Sinister’s Nasty Boys, Helle’s Belles and even went up against the Hulk and the Pantheon in the “War and Pieces” crossover with The Incredible Hulk. The government team were part of the X-cutioner’s Song crossover with their mutant cousins. Joe Quesada later became the artist and co-created Random, an X-Factor enemy turned ally.
Earlier I recommended this is the time to join or rejoin the drama and fun at X-Factor Investigation with this week’s #230 but should go back in time to see the rebirth of X-Factor when Alex and Lorna first joined the motley mutants.
There’s a good reason why they call it X-Factor: visionaries because Peter David is brilliant at taking the oddest assortment of characters and evolving them into a compelling “family” you want to be part of.
X-Factor #230 wasn’t a point one issue but I felt the urge to pick up the book after a long absence. The stunning David Yardin cover (with Wolverine) was tempting and heck I’m trying everything else with the Regenesis banner. I’m excited to encourage you to book an appointment with X-Factor Investigations. This issue is a lesson in what point one issue should be.
This is what a ‘jumping on’ or in my case ‘jumping back on’ issue is all about – a character driven story showing just enough to provide an introduction and invitation to learn more about the agency’s diverse, fun, engaging staff.
Emaneula Lupacchino’s art is gorgeous. She makes the characters expressive with their facial cues and body lanaguage giving you part of the story.
X-Factor leader Jamie Madrox is dead to the team but really travelling through other dimensions. Wolverine’s guest appearance isn’t just a sales stunt but a critical part of the team’s evolution. Logan and Butterfly share a moving exchange as she grieves for Jamie, but is there for another purpose. Wolverine is recruiting X-Factor for his plan for mutantkind and brings in their newest members – Havok and Polaris – more on that reunion later.
X-Factor #230 is “my one book you should try this week.” I just made up a new segment! I felt like I never left and I think you’ll want to get to know the enjoyable cast of X-Factor.
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.