20 years after his coming out helped launch trend of embracing LGBT characters, super speedster will marry in ‘Astonishing X-Men’ No. 51
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — Wedding bells will ring this summer for Marvel Comics’ first openly gay hero, super speedster Northstar, and his longtime boyfriend.
The New York-based publisher said Tuesday, May 22, that Canadian character Jean-Paul Beaubier will marry his beau, Kyle Jinadu, in the pages of Astonishing X-Men No. 51. That’s due out June 20.
Northstar revealed he was gay in the pages of Alpha Flight No. 106 in 1992, one of Marvel Entertainment’s first characters to do so.
Ten years later, in 2002, gay characters Apollo and the Midnighter were married in the pages of The Authority published by DC’s Wildstorm imprint.
Since then, numerous comic book heroes and villains have been written as gay, lesbian or transgender — from DC Comics’ Kate Kane, aka Batwoman, to Hulkling and Wiccan in the pages of Young Avengers.
Comics, as a medium, have embraced gay, lesbian and transgender characters, including the introduction of Kevin Keller by Archie Comics. Comic strips have done likewise.
This month, cartoonist Tom Batiuk is writing about a gay couple trying to attend their high school prom in Funky Winkerbean, a move that has divided the fictional community.
“As I sit in on the classes at my old high school, I see how the younger generation’s attitude toward gays is more open and accepting than that of their predecessors,” Batiuk said.
For Marvel, the upcoming wedding is a way to further embed same-sex issues in its contemporary universe.
“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’s editor-in-chief.
Author Marjorie Liu, who is writing Astonishing X-Men, said the decision to have the pair marry was appropriate.
“As a writer — and a romance novelist, no less — I’ve always found it a bit odd when characters in comic books remain in relationship limbo for years at a time,” she said.
“Certainly, that happens in real life — some relationships just never grow — but the wonderful thing about stories is that they tend to move readers and characters forward,” Liu said, adding that Northstar pops the question in issue No. 50, which was due out on Wednesday, May 23.
“And, in this case, it was time to do the same to Northstar and Kyle, who have one of those rare comic book romances that actually works.”
As for the event itself, Liu said the wedding will take place in New York City, where gay marriage is legal, but given that Northstar is on the X-Men, it remains to be seen if the event will be trouble-free.
“As for the ceremony … well, what wedding ever goes off without a hitch?”
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 25, 2012.
Who are you trying to convince with the indoctrination of homosexuality….It’s one thing to when it is aimed toward an adult who has the capabilities of recognizing the manipulation, but to target children with this form of manipulation goes to show that people are not born homsexuals but are indoctrinated into the lofestyle
Yes Mlwalkone…I suppose all those kids with straight parents, straight families and all acquaintances straight in them hick small towns were indoctrinated. Homosexuality is present in the animal kingdom from fruit flies on up. But of course your little Christian head probably doesn’t care about facts, just fundamentalist bigotry. And as for the barely 100,000 member group calling itself One Million Moms…they will lose their campaign as they have EVERY OTHER. One Million Bitches With Nothing Better To Do more like.
Can’t wait! Good on your Marvel and DC! 😀
You know that you are listening (reading) a comment from a citizen of the US of A, when it comes to make comment in the manner of how wrong it is to be indoctrinated to “become” gay or lesbian. Now if this is so terrible for this or that person, don’t read, listen, watch etc whatever upsets in this manner. One of the most popular examples of stars and good people is The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Lest I have missed something she is still living with her female partner. I don’t hear any rant about her?!? How about Neil Patric Harris, Rock Hudson, and in so called christianity… Paul Mowry, new pastor of the Sausalito Presbyterian Church is out of the closet. Jim Parsons, the Emmy-winning star of CBS’ hit comedy The Big Bang Theory is gay, Elton John is gay, k.d. lang, k.d. lang, Rosie O’Donnell, Ricky Martin, Anderson Cooper, Cynthia Nixon of Sex and the City, Nathan Lane, just to mention a few… so whether they are or not, they are human beings and as a human being I can not condone anyone for they sexual orientation because of one simple fact. It’s none of my business!
So why can you not (Mlwalkone) accept that this is in real life and also will reflect in fiction and comicbooks and literature. There are many more examples but like I said, it is none of my business nor is it any of yours. So hush up and read your bible and go back to the stoning of those who deserves it. Warmongers etc that starts war over nothing other than greed and pretending to save others from their wrong ways… governments etc.