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!

Although we are in for some Daken-on-Hulkling action during the final issue of the YA miniseries, Wiccan doesn’t have anything to worry about. Teddy really is true blue (er green) and immune to the pheremonal charms of Wolverine’s tattooed bisexual bad boy offspring. Now if only he can do something about the slashing claws.

So can the Young Avengers and those who would be Young Avengers form one big happy group? Can either of them live under Norman Osborn’s rules? Will blood out? Will guilt win? Will Speed and Coat or won’t they? It’s the end. And lots of terrible stuff happens. And everything ends in tatters.

I can’t wait to see where this leaves the Young Avengers gang. It’s been announced that creator Allen Heinberg has a YA project coming.

via CBR

I’m looking to fill out the LGBT superlist with more non-DC or Marvel characters. My expertise definitely lies more with the spandex set so I’m going to need the help of the readers (that’s you guys). Only real criteria is that the character is somehow recurring (appearing in a title, series or serial story that had at least 4 parts – so while miniseries qualify, a one shot generally wouldn’t) – though exceptions may be made for some nominees so don’t let the criteria stifle you). Awesome comics writer Tim Fish (who famous for his Cavalcade of Boys gay comics and is writing the upcoming Northstar story in Nation-X #2) replied to QueerSUPE and mentioned that I should look into the following…

Oni Press titles: Scott Pilgrim series (title character Scott lives with and shares a bed platonically with a gay friend Wallace); Hopeless Savages (one of the sons is gay, handled beautifully. The whole Maria’s Wedding is centered around gay topic, relations.).

So if anyone has any images or additional info on these characters or can think of others that you feel belong on the A-Z list, Please comment and I’ll contact you about getting the images.

This is a blog dedicated to comics, action figures, TV shows and pop culture in general. It includes a number of on-topic posts from the past year and a half of decidedly NSFW HeroesNHunks.com where my blogging began.

I decided to create QueerSUPE after I assembled the A-Z LGBT Comic Book Character Superlist at HeroesNHunks and realized that I had created a REAL resource for anyone interested in LGBT themes in comics.

I figured that I shouldn’t limit the list or my comic content by having it only associated with HeroesNHunks, so you now have a COMPLETELY SFW place to view and share the list. Visit the list here, and don’t forget to grab the lovely desktop pattern I created for the occassion.

You long time JLA readers might remember Blue Jay from his introduction. He was one of the Champions of Angor (a.k.a. the Justifiers, the Assemblers and the Meta Militia – a team of superheroes from the reality of The Extremists). During his stay with the JL a few fans speculated he was gay – probably because he was “just friends” with fellow extradimensional teammate Silver Sorceress. Now he’s back – but don’t get TOO excited… is may be just to die at the hands (or feet) of… wait, who is that? Well WHOEVER’s boot that is, it was the pen of James Robinson that did in Blue Jay (he also killed off Tasmanian Devil in Cry For Justice).” For someone who did so much to progress LGBT characters in comics with Mikaal Tomas in his Starman run, I’m disappointed in this wanton slaughter of bush league queer characters.

Here are some previously featured images from #38 which kicks off Cry of Justice writer James Robinson’s new run on the JLA. I also tossed in the covers to #39 and #40. Issue #41 introduces his Robinson’s line-up.

via TheSource

It took awhile, but the LGBT Character Superlist now contains 315 characters in alphabetical order! Now is the time to send your buddies the link and break out your fine toothed combs. I need YOU to help me by clicking through the whole thing and letting me know if any links appear mismatched. PLUS – You cannot tell me who I left off unless you read the whole thing from Air-Walker to Zsazsa Zaturnnah!!!

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

I actually managed to find characters for each letter of the alphabet (even Z) EXCEPT the letter Y. I know Rita Demara had that lesbian haircut – but I need more than that to add Yellowjacket… ANyone know a LGBT character beginning with Y in comics?

Also, even a diligent and gifted a googler as I cannot be expected to fine images for ALL these characters. There are a few I’m missing and I need YOUR help finding them. If you have comics with these characters in them, PLEASE take them to Kinkos and scan me a panel or 2… Rita Boyd (V for Vendetta), Cluracan (Sandman), Daybreaker (Authoriteens seen in Gen13), Andy Jones (Supergirl), Myndi Mayer’s gay brother – need his name too (Wonder Woman), Mime (U.N. Force), Valerie Susan Page (V for Vendetta), Panthalessa (Top 10), Carol Swanson & The Vamp (Sandman Mystery Theatre) and Wulf (Top 10).

Although I only added N and O today. I actually did a LOT of work to the list. I’ve cone back though and added descriptive captions to each of the images linked to the names of the characters. SO click on the first name (Air-Walker) and take an alphabetical stroll through LGBT comics history. More to come.

I’m in the process of creating an alphabetical listing of all the LGBT superheroes, supervillains and supporting characters that I gathered recently. It will take me awhile but I decided to let you watch it grow. The LGBT Character Superlist now contains listings for the letters A, B and C.