GLEE, Vol. One: Road to Sectionals (first half of Season One) is already available on DVD! Now I also generally prefer to wait for a full season box set, but I thought I would include this because hulu only shows the 5 most recent episodes and I figured with the buzz surrounding the show, there might be latecomers who want to catch up before the second half of the season begins. So check out this item and much more (GLEE Sheet Music, All 14 GLEE Posters, 2 Soundtrack CDs and and endless supply of individual MP3 downloads) in the GLEE section of the QueerSUPE Comic Book (and pop culture) Shop.

GLEE is definitely one of my top favorites this season, and actually the only show I ALWAYS watch the night it airs as opposed to catching it later on hulu. The cast is amazing and I’m loving the journey their characters have been going on thus far this season. I’ve previously admitted to being partial to musicals so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that I think GLEE is the best show on TV at the moment.

If you visit the GLEE section of the store, be sure to check out all the individual MP3 downloads! Some REALLY great stuff.

Although it IS a funny albeit slightly snarky way to sum up a soldier who starts to identify with the differently-hued (in this case blue) indigenous people, it is an oversimplification. It would be better if you say “Epic CGI War Dances With Tall Very Fit Smurfs” which is more descriptive. But even that still doesn’t capture the truly epic scale and groundbreaking nature of this amazing film.

Unfortunately the storyline wasn’t quite as phenomenal. Take Kevin Costner’s Dances With Wolves, toss in some of Disney’s Pocahontas and add a pinch of tree hugging Ferngully, mix it up and chuck it into space and you basically have Avatar. But worry not, the film is still very much worth the price of admission.

I’ve seen just about every CGI FX film since Young Sherlock Homes. So seeing the emotive capacity of the 3D models when combined with the performance capture technology used to create the film completely blew me away. There was none of that Polar Express deadeye that I’ve come to expect from CGI films. These 3D characters had life in their eyes and personality on their faces due to the amazing performance capture technology of Giant Studios.

I was lucky enough to see the first IMAX showing on opening day and then again the following week. I had to get up early as on both occasions Popapathy had snagged tickets for the first showing the following day (even though all other shows that day were sold out by the morning – very lucky ticket karma I guess). Now this isn’t the first 3D CGI movie I’ve seen, so I’m not easily impressed. But the previous attempts at such an experience usually end up being a few painfully short sequences at key moments that always aim for the showiest in-your-face kind of 3D you could imagine. The 3D of Avatar is far subtler. It is more like actually being there as the events go down than any 3D IMAX experience I’ve ever had.

Here is a look back at some pivotal moments from prime time soaps reflecting the evolution of the way gay male characters have been portrayed on American network TV over the past 25 years.

The void is now in the mind of Scott Summers and Magneto is making deals with Namor as Beast announces a decision. Strangely enough there are no reanimated mutants running around this title. Must be a big island.

Cyclops takes a voyage into the head of Emma Frost in hopes of containing the horrifying piece of the villainous Void that has been stuck there since UTOPIA. Can they possibly defeat the awfulness that has haunted the most powerful being in the Marvel U?

Tensions are rising on Utopia as the X-Men deal with the new members of their team and the fact that the island is…well…sinking

I guess Beast is off orbital adventures to the pages of S.W.O.R.D for awhile?

via CBR

Although this issue is primarily a peek into the history of the Gorgon, we’re also treated to a bit of characterization as Stonewall takes YoYo to visit her home for the first time since losing her arms and having them replaced with cybernetic ones. From the conversation before she went in, it seems like whatever they are, Stonewall’s secrets may be “coming out” soon. Still keeping my fingers crossed on him playing for OUR team.

One month later. Nick Fury’s got an army. Hydra goes to war. Leviathan reveals itself. Things heat up and Young Gun Stefano Caselli returns to knock it out of the park!

I think whatever Nick Fury has been cooking up since #1, his plans are starting to come together. We should be treated to something epic soon.

Taskmaster weighs the decision to sit at the big boy table. But w hen the stake raise so does the danger and he may not have taken enough time to make his choice.

A SIEGE: THE CABAL TIE-IN! Months of story threads finally weave together as Norman Osborn offers Taskmaster a seat at the Cabal’s table…the Avengers Resistance uncovers a horrifying secret…and members of the Initiative are called up for an assault on an enemy of incalculable power!

via CBR

“The Gay Pimp” Jonny McGovern is at it again. Bossy Bottom is a sassy ‘n trashy new gay strip club anthem celebrating those hot boys on the receiving end. featuring TEAM PIMP (Erickatoure, Linda James, Adam Joseph & Maxi J).

via WayOutWest

It seems like the fugitive life does not agree with the New Avengers, between having to break out Clint Barton in the annual and Luke Cage last issue, the team should try harder to not get captured by Norman. When we last saw our intrepid New Avengers they were surrounding the bedside of recently rescued post-op heart patient Luke Cage who was unaware of a tiny device attached to his heart. Now these are the REAL Avengers so you don’t put one over on them. Norman Osborn will be sorry as this issue the New Avengers hit him close to home.

Get ready for something you never thought you’d see! Is this the end of Luke Cage? Has the Dark Reign found a casualty so horrifying that the Avengers may not be able to keep it together? Another shocker from the crack team of Bendis and Immonen.

All this PLUS the fallout of Dr. Jonas Harrow’s attempted coup of the Red Hood’s band of baddies. If you are going to lead a criminal organization, you have to make an example of the bad apples. I don’t want to give away the explosive surprise, but I will say that by the end of the issue, Normie’s looking PISSED with some serious crazy eyes!!!! I cannot wait to see him completely meltdown once Marvel’s Trinity reunited the Avengers and establishes a new status quo for the Marvel Universe.

via CBR

In case you missed it, Echo is now tapping into all the abilities and memories of the many imprinted personalities that her psychotic nemesis / jilted stalker “Alpha” dumped into her brain. Which is a pretty cool superpower… if you don’t mind the headaches. PLUS Things are really heating up at the Dollhouse as pieces are being moved into place to create that apocalyptic future seen in the special missing Dollhouse episode only available on the Season one DVD where we see that Rossum’s technology to remote imprint someone leads to NO GOOD WHATSOEVER. I missed a few episodes this season so I’ll definitely have to check out that inevitable Season 2 box set.

It seems that Adele has lost control of her Dollhouse and I missed exactly how. But now that she’s been defeated, just how far will she go to take her Dollhouse back and keep her dolls in line? Catch up on these episodes before new ones start up in January… Hulu only keeps the 5 most current episodes up at a time so these will go away.

One of the perks of doing graphics work for TRIGGER is invites to some of the cooler events. Last week Popathy and I attended the Gloss Magazine Holiday Soiree at TRIGGER where Jennifer Coolidge was the celebrity guest. I left him unattended for about 30 seconds and he got swept up in the wake of of fierce drag queens following behind her and by the time I caught up with him they were old friends and he was molesting her foot. She was very sweet and looked fabulous as well. I would love to see her get a reality TV show of her won in the Kathy Griffin Life on the D List genre.

PLUS a few last Christmas videos to round out the season…

You’re A Mean One Mr Grinch from YouTuber TayZonday (Chocolate Rain)

and another Holiday Classic in the making… TayZonday’s Christmas Star…

I was a HUGE Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan who watched the show religiously from the airing of the first episode. So I was psyched to hear of a new one shot about what my favorite lesbian witch was up to between the end of season 7 and the beginning of “Season 8.”

Willow Rosenberg has worn many faces–a shy computer geek, a loyal friend, a passionate lover, a fierce Wiccan, and a dark Willow. In Season Eight of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Buffy comics series, Willow’s powers have grown exponentially. She can fly. Teleport. And may or may not be immortal. All we know is that Willow went on a walkabout following the demise of Sunnydale, and she met a very sultry, extremely powerful serpent lady who seems to be the key to unraveling the mysteries of what Willow is, and will become.

Buffy mastermind Joss Whedon brings us a special one shot issue showcasing the beginning of Willow’s path to becoming the powerful sorceress she is now. It didn’t really give away that much besides how Willow met Aluwyn the trickster serpent-goddess. I wish this was the first of a 3 or 4 issue miniseries that told the whole story. I would have liked a longer, more poignant moment with Tara, but it was nice to see her for a moment.

via CBR

Merry Chrismahanukwanzakah to all! Happy Holidays!!! Here’s a hunk of Holiday Beefcake I gathered for you. So much yummier than that one fruitcake that people have been passing around for decades. ENJOY!

One of the benefits of starting QueerSUPE is the ability to FINALLY link to Amazon.com as an affiliate (for some reason even though they CARRY porn, they refuse to accept affiliates that display it). Their well organized site was a great help in coming up with my recommended reading list. I discovered when I was creating the affiliate links that I can now make my own Amazon store. SO I DID!!!! Amazon’s category filters are not all that (hence my own chronological sorting for some sections – which I will eventually enforce upon the rest).

My efforts are finally ready to unveil, but far from finished.

The QueerSUPE Comic Shop is chock full of all things gay and geeky. Categories include but are not necessarily limited to: Absolute Editions (high quality oversize hardcovers of some of the finest graphic novels ever published); Comic Book Movies (big Screen comic book adaptions and original superhero movies on DVD); Homoerotic Art (beefcake art and pornographic comic collections from vintage to modern); LGBT Books (queer books on a variety of subjects); LGBT Cinema (LGBT focused feature films on DVD); LGBT Indie Comics (non-explicit gay titles); Superhero Cartoons (Animated superhero TV and movies); Superhero Comics (mainstream graphic novels and trade paperbacks); Superhero Novels (text novels in the superhero genre); Superhero Reference (company, title and character specific comic book encyclopedias and collections); Superhero Studies; Superhero TV; Toys / Merchandise and Video Games.

Be sure to stroll through and take a look at the various categories. I’ve used the amazon categories for a few of the collections, but took the time to pick and choose the comics and DVD sections so they would be in somewhat chronological order.

I’m starting a new feature in which I choose a title and spotlight the LGBT characters featured prominently! I’ll begin with two of the most popular characters to be outed in the past few years.

4 color gay couple Theodore "Teddy" Altman (a.k.a. Hulkling) and William "Billy" Kaplan (a.k.a. Wiccan – originally called Asgardian) first appeared in April 2005 in Marvel Comics Young Avengers #1 written by Allan Heinberg and illustrated by Jim Cheung. The names they debuted with are a bit misleading as Hulkling has no relationship to the gamma powered Hulk, but is actually the Kree/Skrull hybrid son of Captain Marvel and the Skrull Princess Anelle with super strength, super healing, and shape-shifting abilities. Wiccan’s sorcerous pedigree is no less impressive in that he and his newly discovered speedster twin brother are the long-thought-imaginary sons of the Scarlet Witch (but who’s their daddy? Maybe Mephisto!)!

A romantic link was subtly hinted at early on in the Young Avengers series, more obviously suggested at when the team was choosing new names and Kate Bishop tells Billyhe he needs a new name that won’t be a "national joke when the press finds out about him and Teddy" (Ass-guardian), and finally fully stated in the second arc when Billy’s very supportive and sweet parents get a little confused when the boys are trying to tell them they are super heroes. There are more instances, and details but I wouldn’t want to spoil your reading.

Although their committed romantic relationship between two gay teens on a super hero team is still very unique in the world of mainstream comics, more and more characters have been popping out of the 4 color closet lately. A trend of which I whole-heartedly approve! Rumor has it that originally creator Heinberg didn’t think Marvel would let him have a gay couple on the team, so he planned Hulkling as a female who used a male form to intimidate enemies, but kept him male once he got the gay go ahead.

The boys romance hasn’t progressed that far physically – they ARE teen characters and therefore fictional role models so I understand Marvel taking it slow. While they have been seen sitting clothed on the same bed, heard expressing affection and shown embracing in a loving manner, it was Peter David’s X-Factor that gave Marvel it’s first male same sex kiss with the more mature characters of Shatterstar and Rictor. Hopefully Teddy and Billy will get a chance to smooch in the Avengers: Childrens Crusade project Heinberg is supposedly brewing for Summer 2010.

The entire Young Avengers series is available in 2 trade paperback volumes, Sidekicks and Family Matters. The subsequent Young Avengers Presents was a six-issue mini-series with each focusing on a different Young Avenger and has also been collected as a trade. Although Marvel’s commitment to letting series creator Allan Heinberg pen the next series has delayed another regular title, each of Marvel’s recent "events" have given us another Young Avengers mini-series… During Civil War and Secret Invasion the team shred billing with the Runaways, but they got their own Dark Reign mini series pitting then against a new team of rebel "Young Avengers" whose roster comes across more like the Young Masters of Evil. These 3 mini’s were collected as well. Links are above.

Prepare yourself for the Boytoons of Class Comics to be unleashed in a bold new illustration style that is all the rage! Drawing under the pen name of Bryce Peters, famed gay comic creator Patrick Fillion serves up six hot new stories featuring our most popular heroes as they’ve never been seen before.

This high quality 90 page full color trade paperback sells for $22.50 and has been designed to be a showpiece in your collection! Its vibrant images and rich colors have been laminated in a durable matt finish. They are also individually sealed for extra protection both before and after purchase.

Visit the full post at HeroesNHunks to see 16 XXX preview images.

Swanderful is gay comics creator Dale Lazarov’s (Sticky, Manly and Nightlife) new blog dedicated to his favorite comic book artist… Curt Swan. Now I’m not sure I see Mr’s Swan’s work in the same homoerotic light as Lazarov seems to, but I must agree that Curt Swan was the quintessential silver age Superman artist.

Check out Swanderful to see some of Lazarov’s favorite Swan works along with the writers own keen observations and amusing comments.

Below are two images he posted that cracked me up. I remember these from my early days as a comic reader… They were first published in Superman #272.

Pencils: Curt Swan; Joe Kubert; Kurt Schaffenberger; Neal Adams; Joe Orlando; Frank Robbins; Dick Giordano; Dave Cockrum; Carmine Infantino; Sergio Aragones; Dick Dillin; Irv Novick; Mike Kaluta; Bernie Wrightson; Howard Chaykin

Inks: Curt Swan; Joe Kubert; Kurt Schaffenberger; Neal Adams; Joe Orlando; Frank Robbins; Dick Giordano; Dave Cockrum; Carmine Infantino; Sergio Aragones; Dick Dillin; Irv Novick; Mike Kaluta; Bernie Wrightson; Howard Chaykin

via Swanderful

Strange thing are afoot. Sue Storm is missing! Mister Fantastic is behaving like a cold calculating killer! Guido is making gladiator jokes! Shatterstar can kick the Thing’s ass? Siryn is banging Deadpool? Lalya Miller is in Latveria?

X-Factor has relocated back to New York, and their first client is a keeper: Franklin Richards, whose mom has disappeared and who figures that the premiere detective agency in the Marvel Universe has the best chance of finding her. Except Reed Richards doesn’t seem especially cooperative in helping them locate his missing wife. What is he hiding, and does it have anything to do with the coming Darkness?

Meanwhile, Val Cooper has some bad news for Monet: Her ambassador father has been taken prisoner by terrorists, and she has less than 24 hours to find him before he winds up getting his head cut off on video.

One thing that I thought was odd was the profile on Layla Miller doesn’t include any of the info we learned in X-Factor #50. She does NOT in fact have precognitive abilities. She went back in time after the Summers Rebellion and gave her younger self her accumulated memories. Her read super power is to raise the dead (sans soul – hence Trevor Fitzroy ends up the evil asshole Bishop eventually hunts to the past). But the profile says she “sees portions of possible futures.” Who wrote this and why didn’t an editor tell them about the big reveal last issue?

via CBR

This issue is obviously meant to set up an epic fight between two so-called “arch-enemies.” It seemed weird when Ms. Marvel named Mystique as her nemesis last issue, so it no surprise that she’s showing up now even though neither of them has given each other a second thought in years. I know these are fictional stories made up by writers but must they be SO obvious about setting up an emotional confrontation for the big issue #50 series finale?

Ms. Marvel vs. Mystique! She raised Rogue, the woman who stole Carol’s powers and memories, and now the sinister shape-shifter is coming for Ms. Marvel herself! Yes, the collision readers have demanded since issue #1 is here as the march to the momentous issue #50 begins now!

Did we REALLY demand it? Any why is it a series finale? Why do comic book companies have SUCH a hard time writing a decent series starring a powerful super heroine? You would think with all the horndog straight fanboys it would be a no brainer.

via CBR

December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas) is a very weird song written by George Michael & David Austin. Unsure about I feel about calling snow “white sugar from Jesus.” Kinda creeps me out a bit for some reason.

It sort of sounds like a song about a kid being glad his parents lay off the fighting during the holidays. Very weird video too. No idea what the imagery means or if it is random or deeply symbolic. Thoughts?

via GayCityUSA