Category Archives: Comics
First Gay Superhero to Get Married in June!
Even the mainstream media is picking up the story that Marvel Comics is going to have a gay wedding take place in the June issue of Astonishing X-Men, marrying off the superhero Northstar with his longtime boyfriend Kyle. I applaud this development, as well as the fact that Marvel is supporting such an obscure superhero who just happens to be gay.
Why does Doop get seated next to the groom’s mother?
Northstar, a mutant with superspeed and flight, was the first ever gay superhero in comic books back in the late 1970s. Though due to social norms at the time, he couldn’t actually come out until the early 90s. Northstar is a character with a long history of being gay, but he’s far from popular or even well known. He’s not about to appear in The Avengers sequel, for example. But still, I think it’s great that Marvel Comics is using Northstar despite his obscurity to show their support for gay marriage.
The announcement was made on The View this morning.
Who knew Whoopi Goldberg was so comic book savvy? Marvel first announced the impending wedding back in March, but they were tight-lipped about who was getting married. Though I, like everyone else, pretty much guessed Northstar right away. It was the worst kept secret in recent comics. Again, I’m all for this happening. Even if it kind of reeks of a desperate attempt at publicity. And that Marvel announced the gay wedding shortly after Archie Comics already had a gay wedding, and drew so much media attention back then.
So anyway, the wedding will be in Astonishing X-Men #51, which comes out in June. Northstar is going to propose in Astonishing X-Men #50, which comes out tomorrow.
A proposal and wedding only one month apart? They really are superheroes
And here’s what writer Marjorie Liu had to say about the storyline:
“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 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.”
So I am absolutely in favor of this wedding, and I can’t wait to read it. Hopefully I reserved Astonishing X-Men at my local comic shop.
But Marvel isn’t the only comic book company jumping on the gay bandwagon. DC Comics announced over the weekend that they are going to re-introduce a previously straight character as gay when he makes his upcoming debut in the New 52 reboot. This has led some mainstream news agencies to wildly speculate that Superman or Batman might be revealed as gay, but that’s just silly.
First of all, they said it’s a character who has yet to appear in the New 52 reboot, so all major superheroes are out of the running. Second, Batman and Superman are as much brand names as they are characters in a comic book. DC is not going to alter the brand in such a way.
So my guess is that Vibe is going to be revealed as gay.
The 80s were a weird time
I think he would be a great choice, seeing as how the character is essentially a blank slate, considering he hasn’t appeared in comics in 20 or so years. DC can take this established character, who does have credentials as a member of the Justice League, and mold him into a positive gay role model and icon.
Instead of doing something creatively bankrupt like just saying that Batman is now gay. Which, again, they’re not going to do.
A Robin Retcon Done Right
The other day, I was grousing about a comic retcon where it’s going to be revealed that Wolverine put together a team of mutants long before Charles Xavier even cared. That Wolverine formed the ‘First X-Men’. I called this a “stupid retcon”, and my opinion has not changed. It is very stupid, and the worst sort of comic book tampering that’s done to history and continuity.
But this is not to say that all retcons are bad. In fact, I’d like to share with you a retcon that DC Comics is right in the middle of that is actually kind of cool. And it’s a retcon involving one of my absolute favorite characters of all time: Robin!
Well, Nightwing, but same difference
You know I’d be extra pissed if they messed up Robin. In actuality, however, this Court of Owls retcon is kind of badass, and adds to Robin’s history, rather than detracts. Join me after the jump to learn what they’ve changed, and why this is a much better retcon than First X-Men.
Review: X-Factor #236
I am not a fan of reality television, but the rest of the world is clearly in love. Ordinary people are turned into TV stars in shows like Ice Road Truckers, Pawn Stars or Hoarders. Programs focus on the day-to-day of real jobs or real lives more so than scripted television. Viewers are enthralled by every minute detail of the Kardashian family or the Real Housewives of Wherever for no other reason than the cult of celebrity. There is a show where Steve Urkel and other Z-list “celebrities” dance for our amusement, and a show glamorizing unwed, 16-year-old mothers – and both shows are incredibly popular. Jersey Shore!
X-Factor #236
We are living in the Mojoverse and we don’t even realize it.
Comic rating: 3/5: Alright.
Writer Peter David throws that bomb at our feet in this issue, and I for on am absolutely blown away. Whereas once upon a time the villainous Mojo’s TV-obsessed world was a parody of sleazy studio executives and bad taste, it has now become the stark, cold reality of our own television programming. We may not have real live gladiatorial combat yet, but how long until it’s here? How long until people are maliciously hurting one another for our amusement on reality TV?
The idea of Mojo being behind the nation’s love of the Kardashians would make a great story. How would our heroes fight against pop culture’s seemingly endless obsession with trashy TV?
Unfortunately, this brilliant idea is wasted and buried in an issue that amounts to little more than an extended fight scene between Shatterstar and the new villain Scattershot, who himself is a parody of trashy comic books. The fight’s OK, if you’re into extended fight scenes. But this issue has little else going for it, with barely any appearance of anyone else from X-Factor. The fight itself is lacking any deep character conflict, with Scattershot being one-dimensional and Shatterstar just showing off his fighting skills. There are a few hints towards Peter David’s larger plans for the series, but those hints continue to be so vague that I just don’t care anymore. So all in all, this is an issue that just doesn’t amount to much.
Other than that amazing Mojoverse idea!
The Break-Dancing Superhero!
Apparently big things are on the horizon for Vibe, the worst ever member of the Justice League of America! Not only does he have a new cartoon short premiering this weekend on the DC Nation animation block, but he’s going to be starring in a new Justice League story as part of the New 52 universe – which also, consequently, brings him back from the dead!
Feast your eyes on Vibe!
The 80s at their most superheroic!
Frequent readers of my blog know that I have a special place in my heart for obscure superheroes and super-villains. But it takes a special level of fan to like Vibe. Real name Paco Ramone, Vibe debuted in 1984 as a brand new character joining the Detroit era of the Justice League. This was back when Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and all the other well-known heroes had left the League, and it was basically just Martian Manhunter and a bunch of nobodies operating out of an apartment in downtown Detroit. Pretty much the lowest point ever for the Justice League. And Vibe was their poster child.
Vibe had the power to create sonic and seismic vibrations, but they didn’t stop him from being killed by a robot, becoming the first ever Justice Leaguer to die in the line of duty.
Well have no fear, Vibe fans, your hero is coming back! Behold the massive, four-page teaser image released with DC’s Justice League Free Comic Book Day issue!
Click to enlarge
Don’t see Vibe? Check out down in the left hand corner. That’s him!
Hey look, sleeves!
I don’t know what he’s doing in that picture, but it’s more than he’s done in years. Apparently he’s going to be fleshed out in an upcoming Justice League storyline. Justice League writer Geoff Johns had to say about Vibe to USA Today:
“I can’t remember the last time someone requested to see him,” Johns says, laughing. “That’s the whole point, though, I like new challenges. It’s fun to see a mix of some of the classics, some of the obscure and a lot of new stuff.”
And that’s not all! This Saturday is going to debut some new Vibe animated shorts to go alongside the DC Nation animation block. Perhaps you’ve watched some of the Super Best Friends Forever shorts? Well Vibe gets one as well!
And here’s another!
Things are definitely look up for Vibe!
Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #4
Four issues in to Marvel’s big summer event, one thing has become very clear: Avengers vs. X-Men the series is going to speed through the basic plot, leaving all the actual fighting and meaningful character interaction to the tie-ins. While normally I might have a problem with this, I’m happy to say that Avengers vs. X-Men remains a good read in and of itself. I’ve been avoiding the AvX fight series, because I don’t need to spend good money on pages full of punching. And I’ve been buying a few of the regular series tie-ins, especially the X-Men ones. They haven’t exactly matched up perfectly with the main series, but I can live with that.
Avengers vs. X-Men #4
Four issues in and Avengers vs. X-Men is still good, as far as I’m concerned. The story is moving at a crisp pace, always changing and always giving me something new and exciting to read. Heck, everybody visits the Moon in this issue, for crying out loud!
Comic rating: 4/5: Good.
At the end of last issue, I was worried that we were going to spend several issues with the various teams searching for Hope in the five different locations across the globe. Turns out, those searches were relegated to the tie-ins. We see brief glimpses of each search in this issue, and the fights that occur in those places, but by the end of the issue they’ve found Hope and we move on to the next big part of the story. One could argue that those five separate location visits were just filler or padding, but not the kind we usually get in these big event comics. If the filler lasts less than an issue before moving on to the next exciting event, I’m cool with that. If I wanted to read that filler, I know which tie-in comics to buy.
I’m definitely enjoying the pace of Avengers vs. X-Men. That’s probably it’s strongest element. Part of me wants to give this comic a lower grade because of the lack of depth, but I can honestly say I enjoyed the comic while I was reading it. All in one sitting, I bet the full series is going to be even better. Avengers vs. X-Men isn’t going to have depth and intense character drama. While that might improve things, the series definitely isn’t broke without them.
Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more analysis.
Henchman-4-Hire 