CBR: Marvel, DC Comics & the (Even More) Current State of LGBTQ Superheroes

[CBR News]

Brett White returns with a follow-up on his CBR debut column, revisiting the introduction of "Teen Titans'" Bunker, Striker coming out in "Avengers Academy" and "iZombie's" portrayal of gay characters.


Full article here.

[Chiasm]

The problem with gay characters too much of the time in too many forms of entertainment is that its becomes the dominant factor of that character. Everything about the character becomes defined by being gay.

Thats why Batwoman is so refreshing. Her lesbianism is a major factor in her origin but its not her defining characteristic anymore and is no more important to the story than is Batman's heterosexuality. They'll hook up with someone now and then but its just a part of them and not all of them. And its why so many stories involving some other gay characters, say Northstar over at Marvel, often get so trivialized because when the story focuses on him it inevitably becomes about his being gay.

[mdg1]

Agreed. It's the difference between "a gay character" and "a character who is gay".

The problem is, characterization in superhero comics can be pretty shallow, so a lot of heroes basically work off a few storytelling hooks. Character A is an arrogant bastard. Character B is a loner. Character W says "bub" a lot.

Gender preference is an easy hook, unfortunately.

[Alex Decay]

Weird. Even as a bi-sexual black man,the LGBTQA community was one I never noticed was left out of comics. At any rate, good article, and I'm glad these characters aren't one-dimensional political statements and are being given quality characterization. Striker in particular, I love em in Avengers Academy (though I haven't picked up the issue the columnist talks about).

[shingi70]

Agreed. It's the difference between "a gay character" and "a character who is gay".

The problem is, characterization in superhero comics can be pretty shallow, so a lot of heroes basically work off a few storytelling hooks. Character A is an arrogant bastard. Character B is a loner. Character W says "bub" a lot.

Gender preference is an easy hook, unfortunately.

Isn't Character W also A.

Hope fully these guys don't become Kurt Hummel Style characters.

[Hero Girl]

LGBTQAI

Holy Acronym!

[sethysquare]

Edit: I think sometimes ppl go overboard with the acronym. lol.

[1derer]

It strikes me that there are some issues with simply tacking on an "a" to LGBT. I know asexuals who identify as gay and bil, and I'm sure that there are asexuals who are transgendered or who identify as lesbians. I get the desire to recognize diversity and be inclusive, but it may not be the best representation to do it through an acronym.

[sethysquare]

It strikes me that there are some issues with simply tacking on an "a" to LGBT, considering that I know asexuals who identify as gay and bil, and I'm sure that there are asexuals who are transgendered or who identify as lesbians.

I get the desire to recognize diversity and be inclusive, but I'm not sure the conflation is accurate.

Honestly, IMO I dun think asexual is really a sexual orientation. Its as simple as not being attracted to either sex.

[1derer]

Honestly, IMO I dun think asexual is really a sexual orientation. Its as simple as not being attracted to either sex.

Not quite. Remember that I knew asexuals who identified as bisexual and gay. They had attraction to people, just without a sexual element, and without a desire to act physically on that attraction.

[Boozier]

So this Optirus guy created a username simply to bash LBGT folk (except Ellen and NPH)?

I fully agree that it should be a character who happens to have a sexuality outside the social norm, and I feel like most writers are getting better at that.

I can't wait to see where Gage goes with Julie Power and Striker. their scene was well-handled and very powerful without it being aggressive. Mr. White was correct in that it felt like two people just talking in a very meaningful way.

[stvnhthr]

I think the treatment of homosexual characters is getting better in a general sort of way. Archie still seems to be using it as a publicity stunt, sort of "look at us, we are relevant and edgie."

I've like DC's treatment of both Batwoman and Bunker. I'm so glad Bunker acts gay, for a long time it seemed like rather than a whole different lifestyle being gay was treated as a simple variable, like eye color. Uhhm, no, there is a reason you can identify many gay friends before they tell you, call it gaydar, call it whatever, but it is obvious. The whole, oops I had no idea you were gay cliche storyline is becoming a thing of the past.

[Disco_Magic]

Not quite. Remember that I knew asexuals who identified as bisexual and gay. They had attraction to people, just without a sexual element, and without a desire to act physically on that attraction.

Asexual is starting to sound like a code-word for "spouse."

[sethysquare]

Asexual is starting to sound like a code-word for "spouse."

LOL.
QFT, this made me laughed so hard.

[FoxMulder2012]

Isn't Character W also A.

Hope fully these guys don't become Kurt Hummel Style characters.

I think Kurt Hummel characters work to a degree. Obviously Glee is teaching certain messages about acceptance of ones self. But honestly, comics don't attract the global audience that television does for that soap box to make sense.

I'm actually currently writing a story with a character who's gay and I don't think I've revealed it yet. It's still early in the story, but I feel if I reveal that he's gay to early, that's what will become of the character and I think that does worse things for the LBGTQ community than not having LBGTQ characters at all.