DC to reveal 'iconic' male character as gay

[evilsoup]

It's true, wolverine killed him. I got the trade paperback for my dad for his birthday a couple of years ago. Of course, he got better.

Maybe it's non-canon or something, IDK.

[Dalton]

I bet you Mr Conqueror is using gay as a synonym for lame.

Shut up. Who asked you?


HMS Sinking Lifeboat: answer me.

[Cosmic Average]

of course he was

He did. It was part of the "Enemy of the State" story arc where a brainwashed Wolverine went around killing off heroes so that the Hand could resurrect them as zombie slaves.

[Themightytom]

of course he was

He did. It was part of the "Enemy of the State" story arc where a brainwashed Wolverine went around killing off heroes so that the Hand could resurrect them as zombie slaves.

Oh then that makes sense then.




Is that what you wanted to hear??

[Cosmic Average]

Oh then that makes sense then.

It was actually a pretty good storyline. Especially his battle with the Fantastic Four where Invisible Woman turned his invisible, making him blind...

Not sure how Northstar unzombified.

Is that what you wanted to hear??

Yes, precisely.

[Batman]

If it really turns out to be Alan, DC is working with a very flexible definition of 'iconic', Revan's speculation on why he would have pretended to be straight until now making a lot of sense notwithstanding.
The only truly iconic characters DC has are arguably me and the Kryptonian, with maybe Diana as a third (mainly by virtue of having been around since freaking forever). Next are Flash and Green Lantern (which technically aren't characters so much as job descriptions though I suppose a case could be made that when people think about them, they usually think Barry Allen and Hal Jordan) and that's about it.

[FaxModem1]

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/one-mil ... el-dc.html

Protest Group Asks Marvel, DC, to Abandon Gay Characters
By Albert Ching, Newsarama Staff Writer
posted: 25 May 2012 12:37 pm ET
Text Size:


ENLARGE

Protest group One Million Moms has taken issue with both Marvel and DC Comics over currently publicized storylines involving gay characters.

The organization is requesting that their supporters email the publishers, asking them to "change and cancel all plans of homosexual superhero characters immediately." The statement continues, saying that any amount of openly gay characters at these companies is unacceptable in their view: "Ask them to do the right thing and reverse their decision to have sexual orientation displayed to readers."

Citing religious reasons for their objections, One Million Moms wrote, "These companies are heavily influencing our youth by using children's superheroes to desensitize and brainwash them in thinking that a gay lifestyle choice is normal and desirable. As Christians, we know that homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26-27)." They later further clarify their problem with Marvel and DC, saying their comics are "prompting a premature discussion on sexual orientation" between parents and children.

This outcry comes after Marvel's revelation this week that openly gay superhero Northstar will marry his long-time boyfriend, Kyle, in June's Astonishing X-Men #51; and news from last weekend's Kapow convention in London that DC Comics will soon re-introduce a formerly straight male character as gay, also in June.

The campaign has received a mix of anger and derision among the comic book community, with Marvel's current Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott posting on Twitter, "Dear @1milmoms, thank you for the boycotts. They increase sales as people buy extra copies to spite you. PLEASE boycott my book too." Kurt Busiek, who has written extensively for both Marvel and DC, called the group's legitimacy into question: "One Million Moms: There aren't a million of them and their board is mostly men. If they lie about who they are, they'll lie about anything."


ENLARGE

One Million Moms targeted the comic book industry earlier this year, in an unsuccessful attempt to get Toys R Us to stop carrying Life with Archie #16, featuring the same-sex marriage of openly gay Archie character Kevin Keller. The organization is a project of the American Family Association, which has been named as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. They made headlines outside the comic book world this past spring during a failed effort to have Ellen DeGeneres removed as a spokesperson for JC Penney.

DC's offices are closed Friday for the Memorial Day holiday. When asked for comment, Marvel provided this statement from editor-in-chief Axel Alonso:

"For over seventy years, Marvel's comics have reflected the world outside your window and Astonishing X-Men #50 carries on that tradition. We're proud to create stories that are not only relevant to the issues facing a modern audience but that also explore these nuanced subjects in a compelling manner. We've planned the release of this comic for over a year but the recent discussion of gay marriage, spurred by the comments of President Obama, makes the release of Astonishing X-Men #50 even more timely. The passionate discourse between our fans on both sides of this matter shows that we've struck a chord with our millions of fans around the world."

Charming.

[SilverWingedSeraph]

It's One Million Moms. What do you expect?

The campaign has received a mix of anger and derision among the comic book community, with Marvel's current Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott posting on Twitter, "Dear @1milmoms, thank you for the boycotts. They increase sales as people buy extra copies to spite you. PLEASE boycott my book too."

This is a fantastic response.

[Batman]

I wonder if the Million Moms realize that the DC Universe has the entire freaking greek pantheon thanks to Diana. Nevermind them endorsing homosexuality, you do know that in-universe, your precious God is just one among many, right?
Also, go Dan Slott.

[Lord Revan]

I wonder when will these groups learn that they will have practically no effect (or may even increace the sales).

[Vendetta]

you do know that in-universe, your precious God is just one among many, right?

He also quit and was replaced by a 12 year old girl (cf. Lucifer).

[Cycloneman]

Yeah, I think Northstar even died once. At least I thought he had been part of the Xavier school and then got killed so his students ended up with another adult lead, but then I could be wrong about that.

At one point Northstar died like three times in one month, I think. Also he's really a big stereotype and extremely C-List. And he sucks!

[The Yosemite Bear]

Lets not forget the time his sister and him went from mutants to elves.....

[HMS Conqueror]

I bet you Mr Conqueror is using gay as a synonym for lame.

Are you implying I don't like comic book characters Sir?

Because nothing would be further from the truth; I do however see similarities between a certain gay ideal and their rippling physique and flamboyant mode of dress, as well as their token female companions with whom they never quite get anywhere (it was the 50s...). Why should I assume they are straight? Do you not think gay people can be heroes? Your insinuations border on the offensive.

[mr friendly guy]

To answer
1. I withdraw my speculation that you dislike comic book heroes. I do find it strange since you got the meaning of my statement to imply that you dislike comic book characters, you somehow also think I simultaneously imply you dislike gay people, especially when your original statement becomes "come on, they're all incredibly lame" (using my synonym).

2. Of course gay people can be heroes. However I had incorrectly suspected you of disliking comic book characters rather than disliking gay people per se. I had mistakenly assumed your statement was a pun on the topic about gay comic book characters, where gay was used as a synonym for lame. I of course don't use the word in that manner.

3. Insinuations that you dislike comic book characters shouldn't be offensive, but I apologise if it did cause you offense.

[HMS Conqueror]

Original meaning of gay is happy/joyous. It was then redefined to mean homosexual. It then branched to mean "lame" also because many people don't like homosexuals. So that is the implication, if you think I meant lame. At the very least, that's the only reason I can think for Thanas threatening me over not responding to this thread, and I didn't want to give the wrong impression.

[FaxModem1]

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-gay- ... ew-52.html

DC's Gay Character: Male, Hasn't Been Seen Post-Relaunch
By Albert Ching, Newsarama Staff Writer
posted: 22 May 2012 03:24 pm ET
Text Size:

This past weekend at the Kapow convention in London, DC Entertainment co-publisher Dan DiDio announced that an existing character previously established as straight would be revealed to be gay in an upcoming storyline. Though there's no still word on exactly which character he was talking about, the resulting media coverage has revealed some clues to help narrow down the list.

In a piece from ABC News, DC's senior vice president of publicity Courtney Simmons stated that it's a male character, being quoted as saying, "One of the major iconic DC characters will reveal that he is gay in a storyline in June." On Twitter, Scott Snyder, writer of DC's Batman and Swamp Thing, shot down rumors that Batman may be outed by tweeting, "the announcement was 'a character not seen since the relaunch will come out as gay.'"
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ENLARGE
DC's publicity blog The Source covered the news without making any reference to sexual orientation, writing, "there will be a big, upcoming twist for a key DCE character coming soon." DC currently has several LGBT characters in their comics, including Batwoman star Kate Kane, Stormwatch's Apollo and Midnighter and Teen Titans co-star Bunker.

If all these indicators prove to be accurate, DC will be revealing that a male character who is both "iconic" and "key," but hasn't yet been seen since last September's New 52 relaunch, is gay — so adjust your guesses accordingly. Though most of the true "icons" of DC's roster have already been introduced in The New 52, it could potentially be a different version of an iconic character; like former Flash Wally West, or original Green Lantern Alan Scott, who is starring in Earth 2 but hasn't been seen in the "main" New 52 Earth.

Another male character that hasn't been seen yet in The New 52 — aside from a one-panel cameo in the company's Free Comic Book Day release earlier this month — is Vibe someone that Justice League writer and DC chief creative officer Geoff Johns hinted he had plans for in a recent interview with USA Today. "I can't remember the last time someone requested to see him," Johns said. "That's the whole point, though, I like new challenges." While Vibe may not fit conventional standards of "iconic," exactly how DC's marketing department defines a "major iconic character" isn't necessarily clear at this point.

Though there's no exact word yet on when DC will reveal more information on this subject, The Source post advised readers to "stay tuned for more news on this front in the very near future."

Well, this narrows it down a bit.

[Lord Revan]

Original meaning of gay is happy/joyous. It was then redefined to mean homosexual. It then branched to mean "lame" also because many people don't like homosexuals. So that is the implication, if you think I meant lame. At the very least, that's the only reason I can think for Thanas threatening me over not responding to this thread, and I didn't want to give the wrong impression.

pretty much no-one uses "gay" in the orginal meaning, but rather to refer to homosexual people, as homophobic insult or as catch all term to anything they don't find nice (something I personally hate as it a)has very strong homophobic implications b)is just lingustically lazy)

[Tsyroc]

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-gay- ... ew-52.html

Well, this narrows it down a bit.

The only good thing about it possibly being Vibe would be the minimal need for retconning. I mean, how many Vibe stories are there out there?

But Vibe! Who would give a crap? The main thing I remember about Vibe was that he was part of the Justice League of America that got wiped out so there was no JLA leading up to when Maxwell Lord gets the idea to restart things as the Justice League. I always had the feeling that Vibe was a lame attempt to have a "break dancing" hero. Not that he did any break dancing but his outfit was definitely of that 80s breakin' and electric boogaloo style. Making him a prominent gay character would not be a good move without doing some tweaks on him. Also, it just hit me. His powers aren't all that different from Marvel's Rictor, who is already established as being gay. He's in a relationship with Shatterstar the last I saw.

I don't really like the idea of Alan Scott being the character because of the retconning required and the extra crap that might get kicked off because his son has already been established as being gay. I do kind of like the idea behind why Alan Scott would have suppressed his homosexuality, the whole 1940s time frame and all that. Except I think the attitudes he would have grown up around would also make it seem kind of odd that he would have gotten involved with multiple women if he wasn't attracted to them or in love with them. He just doesn't seem to be that sort of guy. Plus, he's supposed to be the GL with the strongest will. Which I suppose could be used to argue in favor of him suppressing his homosexuality but if he has that much will power then why does he need to hide in a heterosexual relationship?

[Batman]

If Vibe is actually an 'iconic' character, how come I never even heard of the guy before this thread?

[The Yosemite Bear]

well a Hip-Hop member of the Justice League from the late 80s, considered about as bad as some of the really racist ones from the 60s and 70s....

was in the smae time as Gypsy and some others., frack I thought we had lost Vibe back when Maxwell Lord took over, and you had IRA refugees hanging out in Gotham....

Oh and your Protege was still banging an alien chick, and Barbra hadn't been shot through the back, Jason Todd was your side kick, and .....

[Havok]

If it isn't Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman, DC shouldn't be using "iconic" or else they have a very overinflated sense of the popularity of their other characters.

If they are using "iconic" in universe, then it will be a pre-Batman, Supes, WW character. See: Hush and the flashbacks Batman has to seeing the Green Lantern or something of the like.

Also, don't forget about Captain Marvel. He hasn't gotten his post 52 treatment yet has he?

[Skywalker_T-65]

^That is true. I don't follow comics that much...but the only DC characters I think of off the bat are Bats, Supes, and Wonder Woman. Maybe Flash/Green Lantern...or even Auqaman (though that one could be seen as a joke move from what I've heard...not sure myself). Otherwise, they would have to be 'iconic' to just the fan-boys, not so much the average joe who only marginally follows the comics...like me.

And warning...OT stuff follows this:
___________

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/one-mil ... el-dc.html

And that is why I have problems with some of my fellow Christians. I am one myself, but I could care less what someones sexual orientation may or may not be. 'Love thy neighbor' and all that stuff isn't followed like it should be anymore. Though one could argue it was never followed that well on this subject... *sigh*

(And I love poking holes in people who use Soddom/Ghomorrah as an example. It wasn't so much the fact that people were running around with the same sex...so much as how bad it got in those cities. It made the worst cities in (recognized) history look good. But that is getting OT, so I'll stop.)

[Kuja]

It's One Million Moms. What do you expect?

The campaign has received a mix of anger and derision among the comic book community, with Marvel's current Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott posting on Twitter, "Dear @1milmoms, thank you for the boycotts. They increase sales as people buy extra copies to spite you. PLEASE boycott my book too."

This is a fantastic response.

Give that guy credit for a ballsy answer to a homophobic agenda.

[Cosmic Average]

Also, don't forget about Captain Marvel. He hasn't gotten his post 52 treatment yet has he?

He has. They've turned him into a a fifteen year old shithead.