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.