Posted in Uncategorized on 04/08/2011 12:04 pm by coder
Better late than never – Here we have a gallery of images taken at my HeroesNHunks party held at TRUCK (1900 Folsom @ 15th) on April 2nd 2011. I’d have had them up sooner, but I needed the week to recover from WonderCon weekend and play catch up with the details that everyday life throws at you.
The event started at 9pm when DJ Lawrence Petty took to the booth and the place quickly began to fill up with guys in costumes and comic themed t-shirts. There had been a beer Bust at TRUCK that afternoon, but within and hours or so, the crowd had shifted and (according to Rich, proprietor of Whatever – the Castro’s own comic book store) was made up of about 80% Whatever customers.
Wonder Woman, a.k.a. Sandra O. Noshi-Di’n't worked that star-spangled swimsuit, fabulous boots and boomarang tiara as she mingled with the crowd and posed for photos with many of the guests. I was too busy and it was too crowded for me to spend much time getting photos. If I do it again, I’ll have to have a dedicated photographer take pics of the prize-winners.
Those in comics-themed garb (or any sort of outlandish costume) were given tickets to be turned in for prize packs featuring random comics chosen by Whatever Comics and/or a selection of porn comics from Class Comics. Some lucky guests even won prize packs that ALSO included a feature-length gay porn release on DVD from Titan Men, a Titan Men calendar or a Titan Men jockstrap.
About 11PM or so DJ Joseph Lee took over the DJ Booth and spun us into the wee hours of the morning. I had so much fun both hawking the fliers at WonderCon and mixing with the crowd at the party proper. It was great to meet each and every one of the guests who attended.
My nostalgia-laden, geeky smut-ridden video loop was a BIG hit. All night long there were an ever changing group of guys staring at it while deep in discussion. Later this week, I’ll be sharing a few of the videos I edited down to include in my own video composition.
All in all the party raged until it was time to close down and all the prizes were gone. Now that the party is successful and over, I have to decide… when will I do it again? Maybe a pre-pride party? What do you all think?
Expect some new content this week. I’m rested and have no excuse now.
Wonder WOMAN that is. Well sort of. Sandra O. Noshi-Di’ni’t showed the cosplayers a thing or two with her amazing portrayal of Diana of Themyscira. She worked those fabulous boots as she accompanied Popapathy and myself all over Moscone Center, availing herself to the many fans who wanted a photo opportunity.
Since WonderCon is in San Francisco, I’m sort of surprised that I haven’t noticed any drag queen superheroines at WonderCon before. People’s reactions make me think that there have not been many before. It was fun watching people realize that she was a drag queen. Between that and watching the straight fanboys get a load of my shirt was very entertaining. I usually got a surprised look as they scan down and see the Boy Wonder yankin down his undies. We did get a few "how DARE you" glares from guys in Batman t-shirts, but other than that it was a great time free of venom or vitriol.
Crowds were thinner on Friday but picked up Saturday as many more costumes appeared peppering the throngs. We were lucky enough to run into the “Genderbent JLA” and take a few picks with them. I’d have to say they were my favorite costume group – and YES it was because of Power Guy. Yum.
We spent a lot of time near the PRISM Comics booth (special shout-out and thanks to their event chair – Ted Abenheim for all his help and support). This year they expanded their booth space in partnership with Steve MacIsaac (Shirtlifter), Ed Luce (Wuvable Oaf), and Northwest Press, so it really was Queer Central even more than usual.
We got to hang out with many of the great PRISM Comics volunteers and creators such as Justin Hall (Glamazonia the Uncanny Super Tranny), Jon Macy (Fearful Hunter, Teleny and Camille) and Prism Comics’ president Charles “Zan” Christensen (co-creator of The Mark of Aeacus AND Publisher of Northwest Press).
While on our way to hear Frank Quitely speak, we ran into the petite and buxom Diana Terranova (dressed as a sexy Robin) who interviewed both Sandra O. Noshi-Di’ni’t AND myself about the Queer side of WonderCon.
We covered a number of topics including: this Blog, The HeroesNHunks event at TRUCK and how gay geeks aren’t really any different than straight geeks. We grew up reading the books and just as the straight boys love the perfect bodies of the super-ladies seen within, we gay geeks love to see muscular powerhouses in their super-tights.
There were some great costumes. I’m sure I missed a few good ones on Sunday – the last day. But after 2 days of walkng those miles of aisles and THEN hosting the HNH event (more on that next), I needed to relax, rest and recuperate.
But I’ve had a good days sleep and am now ready to share, so enjoy the pics above. And if you have any hot shots of costumed boys from Friday, Saturday OR Sunday – send em to fanboi@heroesnhunks.com!
Posted in Uncategorized on 09/17/2010 07:02 pm by coder
Over the years since their inception in 1963, there have been a number of “All New, All Different” line-ups, but none as puzzling as this teaser just released by Marvel. The team seems to be comprised entirely of fallen X-People…
From Left to right, it looks like 3 dead Madrox dupes, Banshee, Thunderbird, 2 more dead Madrox dupes, Esme of the Stepford Cuckoos another dead Madrox dupe, Sophie the other dead Stepford Cuckoo and yet ANOTHER of Madrox’s dead dupes – all with eyes glowing red as they walk away from a fiery inferno. Anyone recognize the building? Hmmm I’m guessing more Necrosha fallout?
Notice the dupes all sport different era Madrox outfits (I assume whichever they would have been wearing when they died).
This strange stop motion animation of the Six Million Dollar Man and GI Joe engaging in a little classic role-playing of the oldie but goodie “I’m here to fix your air conditioner.” No ideas as to the origins of the clip, but I’d love to know if anyone has additional info.
WHat I find myself wondering about is why does it say “for viewing purposes only?” What else would it be? An instructional video? Historical documentary?
UPDATE: Behind the Scenes video about photoshoot added!
Saw this image of Chris Colfer from GLEE today over at WickedGayBlog and felt compelled to share this Robert Trachtenberg photo with you. He really looks at home there doesn’t he? LOVE the look on his face. I’m looking forward to the new season of GLEE and from what I’ve heard Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) will be getting a boyfriend this season.
I doubt it will be one of these guys, but you never know, maybe he has a thing for leather daddies. The word was he’d be part of a “power couple.” Hmmm.
What kind of boy do YOU think Kurt Hummel will end up with? a manly jock? a girly boy? sensitive artist type? fellow vocalist? musician? science geek? comic book nerd? fellow fashionista (I think that is a given – can’t see Kurt with someone dressed like a schlub).
Posted in Video Games on 08/30/2010 06:50 pm by coder
Recent inactivity on this blog is due to many things, the most addicting (some have threatened interventions) and time consuming of which is the recent launch of Going Rogue, the 3rd commercial release in the MMORPG City of Heroes/City of Villains. Going Rogue has 2 main components… first an alternate dimension called Praetoria in which Statesman, the big hero of CoH rules with an iron fist as Emperor Cole a.k.a. Tyrant, and second a new morality system that allows Heroes and Villains to undertake a series of missions to change their alignment and cross over into enemy territory for the first time.
So of course I had to dust off some of my cooler heroes who has been gathering dust blueside since I created the Obsidian Oath in CoV and lost interest in the CoH side of things. Zirconia is a 44 Peacebringer and Nic Nictus is a lvl 32 Warshade. Both of them have gone through the arcs required to first become Vigilantes (the alignment heroes become before they become villains) and have already become full fledges villans and members of the Obsidian Oath. My Praetorians are Cherry Boomboom – a cyborg transsexual with a nanotech robovagina, and Zhapp a sentient Praetorian clockwork seeking and escape from a life of servitude. Cherry is already in the Obsidian Oath but Zhapp is still in Praetoria.
OK that’s enough blathering about City of Heroin. The point is I know I’ve been slackin’ off at the blog of late and am working on getting back to a more regular schedule. As a sign of things to come, I’m going to try and polish off a bunch of half completed articles I had started and left to finish up. ENJOY the week!
I posted a mute preview of this last week, but now we have a version with some dialog and additional pages… I do wonder how Mags is going to react to his newfound gay grandson dating a Kree/Skrull hybrid.
THE RACE IS ON as the Avengers, the Young Avengers, and the X-Men compete to be the first to find the Scarlet Witch. When the Young Avengers discover the secret of Wanda Maximoff’s disappearance, the Avengers attempt to neutralize the Scarlet Witch before the Young Avengers can find her. But their efforts soon lead to an all-out war between the Avengers and the X-Men that only the Young Avengers can stop.
Longtime readers remember how excited I was when DC used Legion of 3 Worlds to resurrect Conner Kent after his premature death in Infinite Crisis AND how happy I was to see him featured in the pages of Adventure Comics. Well now I have reason to cheer again as November will mark the launch of the 4th volume of Superboy as an ongoing series. The title will continue to chronicle the adventures of Conner Kent the teen of steel in Superman’s home town of Smallville.
Superboy is back in a brand-new ongoing series! Join Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and amazing up-and-coming artist Pier Gallo as they take Superboy on a journey to a side of Smallville not even Superman knows about!
What mysteries lurk beneath the surface of this all-American town – and what are their direct ties to Superboy? The start of the next great DC Universe epic begins right here!
The first Superboy title ran from 1949 to 1977 before becoming Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes until he left the team and the title in 1979. The second volume (based on the TV show of the time) ran from 1988 to 1992. Conner Kent (Kon-el) debuted during the Death of Superman storyline (in Adventures of Superman #500 – June 1993) and was soon the star of a 3rd ongoing Superboy title which ran from 1993 to 2002.
I’m so glad we have the likes of Keith Olberman, Jon Stewart and Dan Savage to comment on stories like Bush Jr’s recently self-outed campaign manager, Ken Mehlman’s admission of the obvious fact that the GoP is the party of the scapegoat.
August 26, Mehlman revealed that he is gay. Prior to this revelation, rumors about Mehlman’s sexual orientation had circulated since at least 2004. In May 2006, Mehlman denied that he was gay, telling the New York Daily News, “I’m not gay, but those stories did a number on my dating life for six months.”
On November 8, 2006, comedian Bill Maher made an appearance on CNN’s Larry King Live, during which he referred to Mehlman as a closeted gay man. The incident became controversial because CNN edited out Maher’s comments in later taped editions and removed the reference to Mehlman’s sexual orientation from the transcript of the show. The day after Maher’s comments, Mehlman announced he would step down as chairman of the RNC.
So NOW he comes out in The Atlantic and wants to become “an advocate for gay marriage” in his private life. I’m sorry. Way too little and too damn late.
From one election to the next the party’s leadership has shown a distinct pattern of using sentiment against a party or group to rally supporters to their side. Under Ken Melhman’s watchful eye they did just that by waving the gay marriage issue like a red flag to the easily baitable bull that is the religious right. While they’ve backed off the gays a bit, it’s only to put pressure on illegal immigrants and Muslims. It is such a shame that the American populace is so easily led by such an obvious and heinous tactic.
I think the gay GoPers who tow the evil line are worse than the assholes who stand in front preaching to the bigots fanning the flames. These are educated people who should know better but somehow manage to delude themselves into believing that it’s OK to engender persecution and hatred of their own peers in order to win an election. Either they do so by so convincing themselves (and therefore their co-workers and constituents) that they aren’t one of us (as Melman seems to have done) or they simply have no soul and care not that they work against the cause. Whichever excuse he leans towards, Ken Mehlman should be ashamed of himself.
I was psyched to see Mags show up on the last page of the first issue. I’d been so focussed on the Scarlet Witch being Wiccan and Speed’s mom, that I forgot all about their grandfather (and uncle for that matter – did they talk to Pietro in Mighty Avengers?). Here are some unlettered preview images from #2!
Magneto confronts the two Young Avengers claiming to be his grand-children, in the hopes of finding his lost daughter, The Scarlet Witch. But he’s not the only one on her trail—the Avengers and the X-Men are both out looking to fulfill their own agendas.
Will they be able to work together or will the heroes of the Marvel Universe find themselves in another war over the Scarlet Witch? Find out in Avengers: Children’s Crusade #2!
I’m very glad to hear that the X-Men will be playing a part in this epic story as well. But questions abound… Where is Wanda? How will they find her? How will her old Avengers buddies feel about her when they do? How do the X-Men figure in? Do the mutants want/deserve revenge for M-Day?
Posted in Gay Rights on 08/07/2010 06:30 pm by coder
As if any of us NEEDED another reason to love Jon Stewart… The Daily Show’s amused reaction to the mainstream coverage of the recent ruling that Proposition 8 (which banned gay marriage in California) is unconstitutional… YAY!
This ruling really is a great stride back from the devastating loss that we suffered when Prop 8 passed, but will likely be a stepping stone to the inevitable Supreme Court.
I’ve been a huge fan of Jon Stewart and the Daily Show since he started it up. His blend of comedy, news and viewpoint always restores a wee bit of faith in humanity with each and every viewing.
As always we can count on Jon Stewart and his brilliant minions at the Daily Show to do God’s work and put the utter wackjobs of the various religious right anti-gay organizations in their tiny little place.
Here is a great interview/guerrilla comedy blitz with correspondent Jason Jones sitting down with “Defend the Family’s” nutjob President Scott Lively to discuss his views that homosexuals shouldn’t be in the military because “open homosexuals are excessively brutal and savage.”
I’m not sure how this guy got elected president of anything other than the psych ward or a paper bag. But I suppose there are more out there just like him roaming free with a throng of similarly inclined bigots following behind. Kinda scary. You HAVE to love his immediate reaction when Jason Jones says “so that which you hate most you secretly are.”
I’m trying to be better about calling out references (both positive and negative) to LGBT characters and issues as I come across them in mainstream comics. There have been a number if significant sightings recently. Hot on the heels of Captain America’s thoughtful support of Wiccan and Hulkling’s relationship and The Rawhide Kid swishing and shooting his was across the old west we have a major development in the fan favorite romantic relationship between Rictor and Shatterstar…
Now I don’t want to give the end of the argument away because i LOVE Peter David’s work, so I’ve just included part of it, and will keep this focused on what happens in these 2 pages. This is the first time I’ve ever seen 2 men discuss their relationship on this level in a comic book. And I’d put money on it being the first time 2 men have talked about having an “open relationship” in a comic book that didn’t come from Class Comics. While on some level, I’d have preferred a traditional monogamous relationship for the pair (as an example to readers both gay and straight), I think Peter David’s choice here is the right one. It fits the character and history of Shatterstar perfectly.
Shatterstar is a very athletic fighter bred for a single purpose that didn’t include knowledge of or preparation for sex or emotional relationships. Once he became aware of the physical act, a warrior such as him might embrace it and excel at it but not understand the feelings that may come along with it. Peter David as always has done an excellent job of logically expanding upon what has gone before while still managing to break new ground and keep his audience surprised. I’ve said it before, Peter David Rocks!!!
In an earlier feature about LGBT Characters and issues in mainstream comics, I mentioned seeing a second title featuring an LGBT leading character this week… Marvel’s Rawhide Kid and the Sensational Seven #2 is a tougher call than the Young Avengers issue previously mentioned. The tongue in cheek nature of both the current and the last Rawhide Kid miniseries’ written by Ron Zimmerman work for me despite the fairly stereotypical depiction of the gay elements of the Rawhide Kid’s character. He dresses fancy, learned to style hair in Paris and introduces the Cosmo to the Wild West. But he also kicks ass, takes names and has the respect of some of the most famous gunslingers in the history of the Marvel U (apparently including having an ancestor of Ghost Rider on old west speed dial) while looking Fabulous, and as a gay man I cannot condemn anyone, fictional or not for Fabulousness.
These all too comedic scenes aren’t nearly as progressive as the treatment that Hulkling and Wiccan got (Rawhide has no caring boyfriend or significant love interest aside from an old discarded trick in the form of Sheriff Seth Bullock). The homosexual tendencies are definitely used for laughs, but in this context it doesn’t bother me like some might think. In fact with the Old West setting, I’d think this is as positive a portrayal as we could ask for and not have the tolerance seem incongruous and forced. I’d still like to see a rough-n-tumble gay cowboy sometime who is a bit less of a girl, but how would his straight compatriots look at his gay exploits? I think this reaction is as good as it gets for the period. I’m enjoying this mini. My biggest complaint is not enough Howard Chaykin drawn manflesh. I stuck by Howard through American Flagg and many of his more Hooterific titles, but hopes he might shine his exploitative light on the boys for a change, but this titles has probably been the least sexy of all his work. Rawhide walked in on Kid Colt with 2 hookers and they were all clothed? C’mon Howard! Lets see some pecs at least.
Random gay and straight boys doing parody lip sync videos are some of my favorite finds on YouTube, so here are a few viral videos in that vein from YouTuber Ryan James Yezak.
First off…
California Gays Music Video To Katy Perry California Gurls – Ryan James Yezak presents a gay music video interpretation of Katy Perry “California Gurls” featuring Snoop Dogg. So hot we’ll melt your popsicle!
Next up… “Ke$ha Take It Off”
And finally a vaguely disturbing parody of Lady Gag’s “Telephone”
I’ll be featuring whatever mainstream comics that I come across featuring LGBT characters and issues. Last week there were two mainstream Marvel comics with gay male characters in leading roles. In the first, our favorite teen gay couple, Hulkling and Wiccan will finally be getting some page time together in the 9 part, bi-monthly maxi-series starring the pair and their teammates in the Young Avengers as they begin a quest to find The Scarlet Witch. Since their creation, Marvel has really done an outstanding job of handling their sexuality in a nonchalant, matter of fact way that shows it to be no big deal.
To have Captain America literally say “I have no problem with that” and then have Jarvis make up their room sends an powerful message to the masses out there… Its OK to be gay. While you and I may know that, we don’t all live in San Francisco. I was a bit worried when Disney first bought Marvel, but with their pro-lgbt record (watch a few Family Channel shows sometime), I should have known better. Kudos to Marvel, Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung on the first chapter of a story that I can’t wait to see unfold. By the way… GREAT LAST PAGE on first issue! Who could it be? Think, who are potential blood relatives to Wiccan and Speed!
Posted in Comics, Fashion on 06/30/2010 06:05 pm by coder
DC Entertainment is not only redesigning the costume of Wonder Woman, writer J. Michael Straczynski and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee are completely reimagining the amazing amazon by actually changing her past… At some point about 20 years ago or so, the time stream was changed. Paradise Island was destroyed, and Princess Diana was smuggled out as an infant before Hyppolyta and her people were killed. She was raised by guardians sent with her, and some surviving Amazons. Diana now has “a foot in two worlds, the urban world and the world of her people, which still exists in the shadows, underground.”
This doesn’t look or feel like Wonder Woman to me. Hell, it doesn’t even look like Wonder Girl. Apparently the idea was to approach the costume without deference to any of her prior history or the 1940s sensibility of which she was born, instead using a 20th century perspective as if they were designing a new character. I personally think this is a mistake. Her iconic nature is a strength, not a weakness.
JMS mentions that "while Batman to Superman and others throughout the DC Universe, have undergone substantial changes over the years, Wonder Woman has remained pretty much the same in appearance." OK sure, Bats and Supes HAVE had costume changes… but NONE of them stuck for long. They always revert to some new variation on the classic motif. Wonder Woman has in fact worn a few outfits that were significantly different than her tried and true togs over the years. From the semi-classic 60’s white catsuit revisited in the early issues of Gail Simone’s relaunch to the trampy 90’s revamp by Mike Deodato and her occasionally seen golden armor, Diana never seems to stay out of her star spangled swimsuit for long. She’ll work through the arc and defeat whomever changed history, restoring the original timeline and don a new variation on the classic.
A choker? and what is with the spur straps on her feet? Just say no to spurs. What would Tim Gunn say?
I think the Jim Lee’s redesign of Wonder Woman that was used for the oneshot title featuring Just Imagine Wonder Woman as she might have been if created by Stan Lee was MUCH better than this. That was regal, and really reflected the strength and power of the character. This looks just like a new costume for Gypsy.
I think this retcon is a cheap way out of the corner DC seems to feel Wonder Woman has been written into. And what the hell does this new history mean for Donna Troy and Wonder Girl?
Posted in Uncategorized on 06/19/2010 07:57 pm by coder
Every year, the hottest boys (and girls) of Broadway take to the stage in costumes as skimpy as they are sexy and put on a thoroughly modern yet good-old-fashioned burlesque review for AIDS charity Broadway Bares.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR BROADWAY BARES 20: STRIP-OPOLY. Two shows will be presented for the 12th consecutive year at the legendary Roseland Ballroom on June 20, 2010. Get your tickets now.
Talk about Fantasy Football… Daniel Robinson is the lead dancer, number 19. The song is LET IT ROCK by Kevin Rudolph.
I’m a HUGE fan of the Young Avengers so this is by far the Heroic Age title that I’ve been most eagerly anticipating. Wanda Maximoff (a.k.a. The Scarlet Witch) will be a major part of the story and her relationship to twins Wiccan and Speed finally addressed head on, so it really is THE YA story we’ve all been awaiting. Here is an unlettered preview if the first issue which hits stores Thursday 7/8 due to the 4th of July mail delay.
From original Young Avengers creators Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung comes a new tale chronicling the Scarlet Witch’s return to the Marvel U. With three words, the Scarlet Witch changed everything. So what will she do next?
Did Hulkling really kiss that terrorist as a diversion? A bit surprised they’d go there. I love that it is a 9 issue epic, but HATE that it is bi-monthly. It’s going to take 18 months to tell IF THEY CAN STICK TO THE SCHEDULE.
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