Astonishing X-Men will have the first 'mainstream' Gay
wedding. Northstar, who came out in 1992 (after a long period in the 80s) , proposes in tomorrow's issue (50); with
the wedding taking place in issue 51. Whilst this really shouldn't be a big
deal in 2012, but the fact is it is...So are we saying well done Marvel for following through
with something they started back in 1992? Or is there another reaction? More below...
Here’s the Marvel statement...
“Astonishing X-Men #50 art by Mike Perkins
The X-Men, one of the world’s most popular super hero teams,
have always been at the forefront of the biggest stories in comic history, and
today is no different as Marvel is proud to announce the wedding that has
everyone talking! Today, fans worldwide learned on ABC’s "The View"
that Jean-Paul Beaubier, aka Northstar, proposes to his boyfriend Kyle Jinadu
in ASTONISHING X-MEN #50, on-sale May 23 in comic stores, on the Marvel Comics
app and at the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. The creative team of New York Times
best-sellers Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins have put Northstar and Kyle’s
relationship to the test—and now they’re about to take their biggest step yet.
But will their path to wedded matrimony in New York City be smooth or are there
hidden dangers around the corner?
“The Marvel Universe has always reflected the world outside
your window, so we strive to make sure our characters, relationships and
stories are grounded in that reality,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor in
Chief. “We’ve been working on this story for over a year to ensure Northstar
and Kyle's wedding reflects Marvel's 'world outside your window'
tradition."
Then, on June 20, don’t miss the wedding of Northstar and
Kyle in the pages of ASTONISHING X-MEN #51! This unforgettable issue features
covers by Dustin Weaver and Marko Djurdjevic, along with a special “Create Your
Own Wedding” blank variant cover! Select comic book retailers nationwide will
host wedding parties at their stores to celebrate this joyous occasion, with
special items exclusively available at participating stores!
“The story of Northstar and Kyle is universal, and at the
core of everything I write: a powerful love between two people who have to
fight for it against all odds,” said Liu. “This is the quintessential Marvel
story, one that blends the modern world with the fantasy of super heroes in
order to tell an exciting story that begins with a wedding—and continues in
ways you can’t imagine.”
Astonishing X-Men #50 art by Mike Perkins
Northstar was first introduced to comic fans in the pages of
1979’s UNCANNY X-MEN #120, a member of the super hero team Alpha Flight and
antagonist to the popular super heroes. A gold medal winning Olympian and
successful businessman, the French-Canadian super hero quickly became one of
the most popular members of Alpha Flight when its ongoing series launched in
1983. In 1992’s historic ALPHA FLIGHT #106, Northstar became the first openly
gay super hero when he announced his sexual identity through national media.
Since then, Northstar has not only joined the X-Men but become one of their
most popular new members. Northstar and Kyle have been a couple since 2009,
garnering a large fan following since their first appearance together.
“As a long-time fan of the X-Men, it’s not only a true honour
to be part of such a historically significant story but also a complete joy,”
explained Perkins.”
Here’s how I see it. I KNOW there are plenty of people out
there who are opposed to gay marriage. I’d like to think that anyone who ever
truly READ these books would be of the persuasion that believes that gay
couples should be afforded all of the same legal rights and responsibilities
that ‘straight’ couples have, just that MARRIAGE, for religious reason etc. Is something
‘you’ feel is not appropriate? That’s an understandable view, I totally get it.
However, the fact remains that Marvel have always dealt with social and political
issues, often ahead of the game. Captain America went off to war and punched
Hitler in the face, BEFORE The United States entered WWII. The Black Panther
was the first mainstream, black Super hero; Gabriel Jones was part of Nic Fury’s
WWII squad even though the American Military was segregated in WWII. Racism and
prejudice of all kinds have been dealt with, often skilfully, throughout Marvel’s
history. So, now that Gay couples can get married, like it or not, surely they
have to reflect that in their comics’ right? More to the “this is not a
publicity stunt” point, Northstar has been openly gay since 1992! This is no
quick fix to get a gay marriage storyline out there. His relationship with Kyle
has been ongoing for a few years now.
From Skinheads harassing black characters in Spider-Man
comics, to The Black Panther losing is powers because he wasn’t taking direct
action against neighbouring country that practiced Apartheid, the “world outside
your window” has always been a major part of the Marvel Universe. It’s why
their characters tended to live in New York and California, not Gotham City or Metropolis.
It genuinely is something to be applauded, even if they don’t always get it
right, at the worst they try to reflect the world we actually live in, all
colours, all shapes and sizes; at best they try to shape it for the better.
 |
| The less fortunate 'Ultimate Comics Northstar' and his boyfriend, Colossus. |
In the Ultimate Marvel
comics Northstar s the boyfriend of Colossus, one of the “major” X-Men
characters, for those cynics who feel that perhaps Northstar isn’t a ‘big deal’.
It is also worth noting that he is a big deal in the comic book world, and has
been an important character for some time. It has also been reported that at
the Kapow comic convention. In London, DC publisher Dan DiDio, said that a character
that had been assumed to be straight was soon to come out as gay. We shall find
out who soon enough, but I’m betting it is not Batman, Superman, Green Lantern
(any of the 15 that matter) any of the Flashes, except maybe one of the Kids,
Wonder Woman or Green Arrow. As
Here’s Whoopi...
