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.

via CBR

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?

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.

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!

More on the 2nd title in a bit…

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.

via CBR

I’m torn. On the one hand, we have a gay cowboy in the Marvel Universe being drawn by one of my favorite old school veteran comic book illustrators. On the other hand although he can kick ass and sharpshoot with the best of the old west, the character is a stereotypical blousey queen in a cowboy hat… We have him fanning himself like a “prissy little southern belle,” doing Annie Oakley’s hair as they dish and sip Chardonnay. I know Ron Zimmerman was also the writer for the Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather mini that had much the same flavor. But to me it’s akin to the old hollywood fey gay played for laughs. I’d much rather see a grittier less tongue-in-cheek cowboy who happens to be gay than to take it over-the-top. That said, I DID enjoy the issue.

The best-dressed gunslinger the Wild West ever knew is back in the saddle again — and this time, he’s riding with a posse! That’s right, pardners, it’s a brand new rip-roaring adventure of the Rawhide Kid!

When Wyatt and Morgan Earp are taken hostage by Cristo Pike and his pack of pistoleros, Rawhide has no choice but to put together a posse of the greatest western heroes in the Marvel Universe – to rescue the Earp brothers and bring Pike to justice.

Howard Chaykin’s artwork has delighted me for decades. Noticeably less present is his usual cheesecake-centric approach. Fans of his work know what I mean. Chaykin is somewhat famous for his bodacious babes and slap and tickle titillating imagery. I’m hoping we’ll get to see his talents used to create some instantly classic beefcake instead, but that wish may go unfulfilled. We’ll see what time and the next 3 issues have to tell.

In his review, the proprietor of GayLeage specifically mentions 2 shots that follow some especially impressive shooting on the part of the Rawhide Kid. After he shoots he blows on both his guns, which is a move I remember mimicking as a kid when playing Western with cap guns.

What do you think? Gun blow job or homage to classic movie western moment?

via CBR and GayLeague

Riverdale High has a new student matriculating this September. Openly gay character Kevin Keller will be joining Archie Andrews, Forsythe Pendleton “Jughead” Jones III, Elizabeth “Betty” Cooper, Veronica “Ronnie/Ron” Lodge and Reginald “Reggie” Mantle III and the Archie Universe as of Veronica #202 due in September. In the full-issue story that introduces Kevin (entitled “Isn’t it Bromantic?), Archie Comics’ first openly gay character, Kevin Keller is the new hunk in town and of course Veronica just has to have him.

After Kevin defeats Jughead in a burger eating contest at Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe, she desperately latches onto him. Mayhem and hilarity ensue as Kevin desperately attempts to let Veronica down easy and her flirtations only become increasingly persistent.

Well you know where there’s one of us, there’s more. Lets hope Kevin get a boyfriend eventually. Maybe by 2020 if he’s lucky. Will he have a crush on Archie too? Do Betty and Veronica have competition? If you think about it, they’ve both been after him for so long and neither has gotten him to put a ring on it. Maybe he’s just been waiting for the right guy.

via CBR and Robot6

This June, The Rawhide Kid a,k,a, Johnny Bart (Marvel’s own gay cowboy) returns when writer Ron Zimmerman and artist Howard Chaykin team up to bring us a 4 issue miniseries. This is definitely the first old west team book led by a gay cowboy. The Sensational Seven includes some of Rawhide Kid’s 4-color contemporaries: Kid Colt, Two-Gun Kid, Red Wolf and Lobo, and a few historical gunslingers: Annie Oakley, Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid.

Zimmerman was also the writer of the 2003 miniseries from Marvel’s edgy MAX imprint that outed the Rawhide Kid as a stereotypical homosexual, so we should probably expect more of the same. He mentioned that he shortened the group’s name from Fabulously Magnificent Sensational Seven to the Sensational Seven so maybe he’ll take the entendre’s down a notch, or maybe not. Hopefully he’ll be able to develop the character beyond the caricature he was in the MAX miniseries.

I’m especially excited to see Howard Chaykin is creating the art. He’s been one of my favorite creators since I read his brilliant American Flagg! way back in the 80s. He’s somewhat infamous for doing action oriented comics with plenty of Tits and Ass thrown in. Lets hope we get some Chaykin-drawn beefcake for a change. I long ago tired of his cheesecake.

via CBR

Even though it’s been FAR too long since the Young Avengers have had a title of their own, they’ve been the focus of a limited title during the past two mega events (Civil Way and Secret Invasion) and The Siege is no exception. Instead of a mini-series it will just be a one shot, but this time they aren’t sharing it with The Runaways (who seem noticeably absent of late). We saw them arrive at the battle alongside the likes of Captain America, but what happens once they find themselves on the frontline of a war between Gods and supermen? Read Siege: Young Avengers to find out!

Fans of Wiccan should be happy. Writer Sean McKeever says he gets the most time on-panel of the group, but everyone will get some attention. Also mentioned was a reminder that Wiccan’s original codename was “Asgardian” for a reason and we’ll be learning it here. PLUS They are taking on The Wrecking Crew!!! I love the look of these pencils from artist Mahmud Asrar. Looked like he was influenced by Alan Davis.

via CBR

FINALLY! All the back and forth “I’m gonna kill you” flirting (which I read like the psychopath’s version of pulling pigtails at recess) between Wolverine’s openly bi son Daken and his murderous teammate Bullseye a.k.a. Hawkeye is going to pay off with a kiss.

SIEGE BLOCKBUSTER TIE-IN!! Daken has been given glimpses of the life he could have-as well as the lives he might destroy-and the time for a choice is finally at hand.

Will he become a force for good…or reign as a king in Hell?

In the midst of The Siege, Bullseye is about to bolt when Daken true to the amoral rogue he is, plants on on him right there on the battlefield! I’m guessing its just because he has bigger fish to fry that Bullseye doesn’t try to kill him for it there and then… but what if he liked it? Maybe he goes both ways too?

via CBR

Of course he does. We knew they’d taken token gay JSA member Obsidian away for a reason, but that still doesn’t make it OK. When Todd was taken away after being turned into a black egg by Kid Karnevil did ANYONE call his long term super-boyfriend Damon Matthews? First introduced in the pages of Manhunter, Damon Matthews is Kate Spencer’s law partner and the loving life partner of Todd Rice. The two were seen to have adopted a daughter in the future. Is poor Damon sitting at home wondering what happened to his man? I think if a straight character with a longstanding relationship went missing for a prolonged period, SOMEONE would tell them, right?

The war takes a turn for the worse for the JSA as the enemy fires up their super power-negating “Darkness Engine.” But the terror rises when the team learns that the machine is powered by the black egg that used to be their colleague Obsidian!

Well whether anyone informed Damon or not, Obsidian will hopefully be returned to active duty after the JSA routs the latest band of evil supernazis to attempt a fourth reich. The whole JSA vs supernazi’s has been done to death. I just want to get past this arc and get Todd back to his worried boyfriend.

I’m all for it if it REALLY is something official to be recorded in the Marvel Encyclopedia, but it seems more likely that its meant as a throwaway gay gag at Northstar’s expense. But you never know. Hercules does have quite a mythological homo history with the beautiful youth Hylas, so it’s not like he hasn’t gone there before. It’s already sparking online speculation about their “relationship.” Some say it is now “canon” and others just think its a joke. Robot6 says this “places Jean-Paul Beaubier on a long, long list of Hercules’ male conquests from classical mythology that includes such figures as Abderus, Elacatas, Iolaos and Iphitus.” We’ll see if anyone ever brings it up again…

And think about it. A raving and oft-drunken horndog like Herc (can you say 6 beer queer?) just might have taken Jean-Paul up on a super speed hummer if they ever crossed paths. I can’t think of a time they shared an adventure ON PANEL… Anyone? I wonder if Northstar’s boyfriend Kyle knows his superhero boyfriend has bedded a demigod?

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

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.

Just in time for the holidays… Be sure to check out the recently completed LGBT Comics and artist list over at my other site to see if you can find the perfect last minute Christmas Gift for the gay geeks on YOUR list (or send someone to the list to shop for you)! QueerSUPE. Below is just a taste of over 100 titles in the following 3 categories…

LGBT-Friendly Mainstream Publications

LGBT-Friendly Indie-Publications

and of course Gay and Explicit Comics (and artists).

It’s another list that I’m looking to grow, so if you have a title to nominate to any of the 3 categories, be sure to visit the page and leave a comment! and feel free to share the link with anyone! I’d love to see any fellow gay geek bloggers give it a shout out on your own platforms!

Popular gay comic writer/artist Tim Fish (Cavalcade of Boys, Young Bottoms in Love) has gone on record about his upcoming Northstar story in Nation X #2 due January 8. Apparently he was a bit gun-shy about announcing it because he’s been slated to do a story about Marvel’s first out and proud hero before. That project died, but this time his inks have met with Marvel’s approval and been passed on the the colorist so it is happening. Congrats Tim! I’m looking forward to learning more about Kyle… like his last name and occupation for one. Who is he that he landed a jet setting world famous ex-Olympic skier turned snowboard entrepreneur/superhero. Tell us all about the fabulousness that is Kyle.

It is an 8 page story about the impact the separation of Northstar living on the X-Men’s Utopia is having upon the relationship between Jean Paul and his boyfriend, fellow Canadian "Kyle."

This story might be a first… Northstar intorduces Kyle as his BF and they have implied sex!

Although he was the first Marvel hero revealed to be gay way back in 1992, Northstar hadn’t been given a love interest until recently when Kyle was first introduced in Uncanny X-Men #508.

via TimFish and Randall Kirby

Well there is one more LGBT character in the Marvel U… This teaser preview shows Victoria sparring 3 years ago with a close female friend as she tells her about her plan to send a letter telling Nick Fury speaking out about everything he’s doing wrong. She sent the letter and got herself transferred. The girlfriend who appears to have lived there as they had "a life together" basically said I told you so and dumped her like a bad habit.

Poor Victoria. So we see how she could agree with Norman Osborn’s shoot first ask questions later mentality, but how much of his evil shenanigans is she going to witness without speaking out again?

The explosive smash hit series from Brian Bendis and Mike Deodato continues!! The Dark Avengers are pitted against a foe they cannot defeat: A man with the power over every molecule in the world! Norman can’t talk his way out of this one as the world gets turned upside down and no joke…someone dies. For reelz!

PLUS: Stuff happens! – The Dark Avengers take on the omnipotent… Owen Reece? Well he sounds more frightening as The mighty Molecule Man! So who do YOU think is gonna buy the farm? I keep hoping it will be Sentry but he’s part of The Seige so doubtful.

via CBR

I love Peter David’s writing and with his milestone issue #50 he did an excellent job of tying up not only ALL the loose threads he’s been dangling not just for the past 8 issues or so (Summers Rebellion, unevil Fitzroy, Cortex, incontinent Doctor Doom), but also the ones that have been out there since the beginning of the series (finally the definitive answer to what IS the story with Layla Miller?). I don’t want to spoil anything, but I do wonder if that’s what happens to Layla, where does she go from there (or then)? I have to admit it felt a bit rushed and tidy to have it all dropped in our laps with a lovely anniversary bow on it, but I’m eagerly anticipating what happens next!

Worlds and times collide in this double-sized conclusion to the year long storyline that has revitalized X-Factor. Will the Summers Rebellion triumph as is supposed to happen…or will it be derailed? Will Madrox make it back to his own time? Will Siryn, Monet and the rest of the team have their final showdown with Cortex? Will we actually learn just how it is that Layla Miller knows stuff? Will someone die?

You probably remember the uproar the RicShatty kiss caused from character creator Rob Liefeld. At the time X-Factor writer Peter David handled Liefeld’s reaction with grace and aplomb. Peter David made a number of humorous comments aimed at Liefeld and he’s stuck to his guns on at least one of them.

In a discussion over at Robot6 (which by the way mentioned QueerSUPE yesterday!!!), Peter David decided that he would have Guido ask “Tell me Shatterstar… do you like gladiator movies?” as a reference to the classic film Airplane in which Captain Oveur makes similar suggestive remarks to the young boy visiting the cockpit. I suppose you should expect that when entering anyplace called “The Cockpit.”

In a preview of X-Factor #200 (due in December) which relocates X-Factor Investigations to NYC to find out why “the Invisible Woman has Vanished, he did just that.

Now I hate to be the one falling for stereotypes, but I have to call one when I see one and The Gotham arrival of the pink-clad, fussy and fastidious yet fabulously ferocious new bat-foe known as the Flamingo smacks of the “amoral aristocratic bitchy queen type.” I’m not sure if Morrison would be that obvious, but maybe. We haven’t had a good gay Batman villain in awhile (now that Captain Stingaree and the Cavalier appear to be out of commission), so its good to be part of Bat’s Rogues Gallery. I still prefer to see new LGBT characters pop up on the side of the angels, but I’ll take what we can get. Stay tuned to see what his story is… and where he got that awesome coat!