[ Article ] "Gays In Comics: From Northstar to Shatterstar" by Laura Hudson

[iridania]

Laura Hudson wrote an article about gay characters in comics @ comicsalliance.com, following the release of the last issue of X-Factor.

Extract featuring Hulkling and Wiccan

Comments

[redex]

This is the first and only comic I have ever actually read the letters page on, the discussion that was raised was really interesting and heartwarming. Thanks for posting these articles, I enjoyed reading them. A couple days ago I actually had to explain to a friend of mine who knew Teddy and Billy from roleplaying but didn't realize that in the canon they haven't even gone so far as to kiss on panel yet. She's only currently reading X-Factor from mainstream comics and though obviously the Shatterstar/Richter kiss was a big deal for their characters, didn't realize how abnormal it really was in general. Comics really are pretty far behind a lot of their audience when it comes to sexuality and I know a lot of writers wouldn't have a problem writing glbt characters. If they really want to call themselves more than just a kid's genre you have to wonder what's holding up the works.

[iridania]

didn't realize how abnormal it really was in general
yup. I'm happy marvel has started to change its attitude towards this kind of things :/
the shatterstar/richter kiss made me squee because it's a wall they had yet to break (if you don't count deadpool in the game... but he's deadpool and there's little left he hasn't done yet).

[crazedwolf]

It's always so heartwarming to see a writer who likes his characters and is genuinely that proud of his characters. It makes Teddy and Billy seem all that more special because they call from a writer who likes the way they've developed in the long run.

When I first started reading Young Avengers I skimmed through the letter pages and caught bits and pieces...so I started reading them in full and I have to say it was really awesome to see a lot of the responses that came out of it, seeing people so ready for characters like them in mainstream.

[iridania]

It's always so heartwarming to see a writer who likes his characters and is genuinely that proud of his characters.
I agree. ♥ When you like your job you always put much more effort in it. And the results are always amazing :D

They made a lot of interesting points in that discussions. I don't usually read them, but the letters there are a good read :)