Secret Avengers #26 *Spoilers*

[mikekerrIII]

a character is gay, doesn't mean it will be "shoved down your throat." Do you feel feminism is shoved down your throat every panel Black Widow is in?
:

Why do so many "straight" men obsess about having things shoved down their throats? As a middle aged strait male I don't see were the obsession comes from.

[mikekerrIII]

Because they needed a way to remove the most powerful Avengers from the initial battle on Earth.

they did the same via various means to the X-men. the Avengers lost their god and the X-men lost their god killer

[Lascoden]

In fact, I'd say homosexual acceptance has been more prevalent in Marvel comics in the last 3 years than heterosexual relationships, because of the publicity and hype, as well as panel time devoted to, milestones in homosexual relationships...depending on what titles you buy.

Hahaha, What!?

[Kieran_Frost]

I guess it really boils down to how it's handled in a book/by the writer. For instance, it wasnt until just now that you reminded me of Hand's sexual orientation which was established back in Dark Avengers (around issue 9 i wanna say...? give or take a couple issues. I think it was during the Molecule Man arc). And while she's not officially an Avenger, she still serves an integral role on the New Avengers team, as well as a the plot so far. However, her sexual orientation does not define who she is, and other than a few pages of an issue of a short-lived, though highly popular "Avengers" title (if only in title at that), there is no reason for us, as readers, to know or even care about, her personal and most private aspect of her life.

Ms. Victoria Hand is a great example of making it about the character, NOT her sexuality/race/gender.

Personally though, and this is my main point (if any), I don't think it's necessary to take time away from developing or using so many characters in any team book, especially one such as Academy, where most of the cast are unestablished/undefined/relatively new characters in the MU, for a writer to delve so deeply into the lives of a single character. That's better off left to solo titles, spin-offs, and trashy tabloids.

That's a little unfair, since 95% of characters will never get a chance at a solo title; in which "these things can be explored". Of all my favourite characters, currently only Venom and Loki have a solo series. Emma Frost, Daken and Moonstone (sort of) have had solo series; Baron Zemo, Storm and Doctor Voodoo have all had a mini-series. But what about Dust? Radioactive Man? Wiccan? It's highly unlikely they will ever champion a solo series; so where would "these things be explored."????

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I dont care to read about the sexual acts and partners of other people, especially fictional superhero(in)es/villain(esse)s. I just think there's so much more important, and imaginative plot points and character traits that can be explored in super-powered fiction than sexual partner preferences. Leave that crap in Twilight.

As deus ex Chris pointed out; romance is a staple of comics. In the comics I currently read: Scott/Emma, Psylocke/Fantomex, Psylocke/Angel/Archangel, Loki/Leah, Flash/Betty, Emma/Namor, Rogue/Magneto, Rogue/Gambit, Gambit/Frenzy, Idi/Broo; and this is just off the top of my head. Wiccan and Hulkling went 7 years without kissing one another on panel. SEVEN YEARS!!! Can you think of any couple in Marvel that's gone that long without a kiss? Even the train wreck that is Storm/T'Challa kiss more often than that! Two people in a committed relationship kissing should not be an unacceptable showing in comics.

Spider-Man has been an Avenger for how many years now...? better part of a decade I'd say. And how many times have we seen him talking about his personal life in the Avengers books? How much does he share, on panel, about his sex life?
That is my point.

Spiderman is not exactly a fair example; he has numerous solo comics to explore these things in (same for Wolverine). Most of the Avengers cast who have solo comics rarely ever get romantic subplot in the team comic, but they DO have them in their solo comics (Spiderman, Wolverine, Thor, Captain America, Iron Man); all have love interests. If a character DOESN'T have a solo comic, where would these things be explored/

Storm used to be a character on the same level in the X-Men as Captain America or Iron Man are to The Avengers. Watching her get a bit of characterization after a decade of being either wallpaper or the wife role has been very disappointing.

When Storm took over the X-men, Cyclops was "sidelined" in the same way; I prefer Storm... but I don't think we can call "unfair" on the X-team for the writers pushing Cyclops. Storm had ALONG time in the sun, as THE X-person. In recent years she has got a lot more exposure than was the case 5 years ago (around the time of the marriage), being on three teams, leading a team, joining the Avengers. I do think Storm fans (including myself) are often more spoilt on her appearances than we give credit for. She is used PLENTY. More so than all my other favourite characters (maybe not Emma).

Her leadership role in Adjectiveless hasn't impressed me. Matter of fact, it feels somewhat like a bone thrown at her to appease fans. Much of the X-Men has been about Cyclops and Wolverine.

I have heard this said before, and I don't fully agree. Yes, the last time we saw Storm leading in a comic she was THE STAR; and therefore not only was she a great leader, but also saving the day most of the time. That isn't the case with Gischler; he gives everyone a chance to shine and often takes out certain members for a time; so the others get the spotlight. Storm was officially ranked above Emma when it comes to "who leads" (that's pretty big), she kicked ass in the sentinel storyline; and was fierce in the recent arc of vampires. Was it some of the greatest examples of her leadership? No. But it was still good AND it's more than we've had since before the marriage. So that's something to be pleased about.

Emma Frost is often reduced to the girlfriend role as well, which is disappointing. Dani leading New Mutants is nice, but that is very much a group title. Rogue in X-Men: Legacy is the only title I consider female-led. Sure, its better than The Avengers, but I think the female characters in the X-World have seen better days as well.

What about Psylocke on two teams, and very much one of the main stars of Uncanny X-force? Or, until very recently, Generation Hope? Or the fact Hope is the messiah? Or the fact many X-teams are 50/50 men/women? Storm, Psylocke and Hope were all in two main teams on the gold side; and women play a big role. Just because Cyclops and Wolverine are men, doesn't instantly discount the big roles Kitty, Emma, Storm, Psylocke, Danger, Hope, Rachel and Rogue play.

Sexual preference/partners/orientation/activities of a character, especially on a team comic book such as Avengers/X-men, is totally irrelevant to saving the world, or using super powers. If it is part of the story, whether hetero, bi, or homosexual, I dont like reading it. That doesnt make me homophobic, that makes me against having sexual themes in every form of literature and entertainment. So, if anything, I'm impartial to what you're talking about. Its not a matter of homo/hetero representation, but rather the lack of quality or imagination of comic book writers to have to rely on something so basic as sex to sell books.

You keep using "sex" and "sexual"; but comic relationships can be about LOVE, not sex (as they should be). I don't think Wiccan/Hulkling could ever be described as sexual. Scott/Emma yes. Namor/Emma, yes. Kissing someone you love doesn't make it sexual. It doesn't make it "illicit" or "unsuitable for kids." Two men, in love, sharing a kiss in a comic is not sexual. It's part of life, and it's something all heterosexual couples get to do in comics.

In fact, I'd say homosexual acceptance has been more prevalent in Marvel comics in the last 3 years than heterosexual relationships, because of the publicity and hype, as well as panel time devoted to, milestones in homosexual relationships...depending on what titles you buy.

Really? Can you name four LGBT romances currently in Marvel comics? Consider how many comics come out every month; us they are "more prevalent" this shouldn't be very hard to achieve....

[Deus ex Chris]

I don't quite understand why you are calling me homophobic. And why you're still trying to tie race and gender into the issue.

Let me clarify on more time, my thoughts on this.

Sexual preference/partners/orientation/activities of a character, especially on a team comic book such as Avengers/X-men, is totally irrelevant to saving the world, or using super powers. If it is part of the story, whether hetero, bi, or homosexual, I dont like reading it. That doesnt make me homophobic, that makes me against having sexual themes in every form of literature and entertainment. So, if anything, I'm impartial to what you're talking about. Its not a matter of homo/hetero representation, but rather the lack of quality or imagination of comic book writers to have to rely on something so basic as sex to sell books.

In fact, I'd say homosexual acceptance has been more prevalent in Marvel comics in the last 3 years than heterosexual relationships, because of the publicity and hype, as well as panel time devoted to, milestones in homosexual relationships...depending on what titles you buy.

You said you stopped watching TV because of homosexuality and that you shouldn't have it shoved down your throat. Are you really asking me why I called you homophobic? It's too late to play dumb, friend.

[The Sword Is Drawn]

You said you stopped watching TV because of homosexuality and that you shouldn't have it shoved down your throat. Are you really asking me why I called you homophobic? It's too late to play dumb, friend.

Just a little. :)

I have absolutely no idea how the thread ended up going down this path, but it is utterly ridiculous.

ROM_Reborn, I'd stop now. You seem to just keep making it worse for yourself, and I fail to see how the subject is even really relevant to this issue.

But please, don't try to tell me.

[psynetrix]

Secret Avengers #26 was a strange bird (no pun intended.) By itself it was a nice story, but as part of the overall crossover it had inconsistencies. Half of the team had nothing to do, and the art was distracting as in taking attention away from the story.

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[Comicmofo]

Without spoiling a lot why isn't venom in this issue?

[Lady_Alternate]

Because he's not on the Deep Space Phoenix Interception team.

Rosters are pretty much suspended for AvX.

[Kieran_Frost]

Without spoiling a lot why isn't venom in this issue?

I'm not sure. Venom's symbiont is far more "cosmic" than War Machine or Beast... but I guess just because Remender wanted to use a different team? Or the current arc in Venom is keeping him based on Earth? No reason has been given in the comic, if that is what you are wondering.

[Prince Of Orphans]

I'd like to know where Venom is in general during AvX :S

[mightytev]

I'm guessing Marvel will keep him off the board until after the crossover to delay the clash that will result from Spidey learning Venom's an Avenger too.