We reported recently about the big news in the comic book world (other than the huge success of The Avengers): First Marvel announced the long-time gay character Northstar would marry his boyfriend (that takes place in the issue coming out June 20). Then DC Comics — which last fall reintroduced its entire superhero universe with all-new No. 1 issues — revealed that the iconic Green Lantern (who I like to call Queen Lantern) would come out as gay.

Well, not exactly.

Yes, the character of the Green Lantern is gay. But not really coming out.

As part of the relaunch, DC has modernized the tales of most of the characters. Many of the heroes were introduced in the 1940s as Nazi fighters, including the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott, who was blond and wore a cape. In the 1960s, he was replaced by the modern Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, and the green-and-black bodysuit was introduced.

Well, Alan Scott is back. But so is Hal Jordan. It’s not really all that confusing.

The new No. 1 title from DC last month was the imprint called Earth 2, which sets up a parallel world where Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are dead. Five years later, this alternative universe is in desperate need of heroes. So we are re-introduced to The Flash (now Midwesterner Jay Garrick) and Alan Scott’s Green Lantern. And he doesn’t come out — it’s not like he’s been in the closet. He just is gay.

That issue — Earth 2, issue No. 2 — comes out today, and it’s the one Zeus Comics owner Richard Neal has been excited about; panels of Alan kissing his boyfriend have been released already.

It takes a small leap of faith to imagine a world where Bruce Wayne is a memory and planet Earth was nearly destroyed by parademons, but no more than having a gay DC hero. It’s pretty great, and the artwork in the issue — which includes an original sequence for the new Flash — is awesome. I mean, a handsome, buff Green Lantern making out with his boyfriend? That’s pretty cool.

This issue is more about The Flash than GL, but no worries: The last page of the issue — following Alan’s proposal of marriage — ends with a tragic explosion and the promise that No. 3, coming out next month, will be about Green Lantern. I’ll be there.