Son of the Manta: Aqualad Appreciation 2019

[Agent Z]

Damien is a child. Do we even have a clue what his sexuality even is? I can't recall him having a real love interest at all. For all we know, he could be gay or bi or whatever.

Connor Hawke should've been gay. He seemed to be, but I don't think the 90's were ready for that and someone chickened out. If he ever returns? Keep that original characterization.

Garth is firmly established as straight. He's had a wife and kids.

Kaldur? In comics he existed for about five seconds before the reboot and I don't recall his sexuality ever being explored on any level. We assumed he was straight because that's the default, but it's not like the revelation that he's gay in Rebirth contradicted anything. Even if he mentioned having a girlfriend (which I dont remember if he did) its not like young gay men don't date women before realizing what they like.

Not to mention, every other black hero in DC is straight. So if you need that, you've got plenty of options.

Kaldur actually existed on the show before he was brought into the comics and he was depicted as heterosexual on the show (though I recall Weissman saying something in an online conversation suggesting he was bisexual). But yes, his comic counterpart didn't really have his sexuality explored. There's a scene where he and Lorena are watching Arthur and Mera make out and Lorena warns him against getting any ideas but there's no indication he's even attracted to her.

[Ascended]

To the former, from what I've read, supposedly Chuck Dixon didn't like how much Connor Hawke, a handsome young male who didn't chase or let himself be chased by every female who passed him by and who also had impeccable chemistry with a number of other handsome young males, appealed to the LGBT+ crowd. Going from what I read, this prompted Dixon to write those out-of-nowhere sexual encounters with females, to prove that he's totes not gay or nothin' (if true, I doubt the concept of asexual or aromantic or the like every even crossed Dixon's mind, as long as Connor Hawke didn't have "gay cooties" or something...).

Really? I have never heard that. Shame, if true. And no, odds are Dixon had never heard of asexuality or anything back then. Most of us hadn't.

For the latter, all I'll say is: fair enough. (My big thing is how the Wallace situation is stigmatized because it is generally only brought up and used by anti-fans as a crutch in their hate rants, a crutch that really doesn't stand-up to even-tempered scrutiny.)

Oh, I totally agree with you about Wallace. It gets blown way out of proportion. I'm just saying, even though it's a total non-factor, it looked really bad at the time and it's not surprising that people haven't let it go. First impressions matter, right? But you're right, people use it to justify stuff it doesn't really justify, and that's not helpful.

[Psycwave]

Edit: actually nevermind. Won't get into it.

Here's Jackson from Nick Robles!

[Ascended]

Kaldur actually existed on the show before he was brought into the comics and he was depicted as heterosexual on the show (though I recall Weissman saying something in an online conversation suggesting he was bisexual). But yes, his comic counterpart didn't really have his sexuality explored. There's a scene where he and Lorena are watching Arthur and Mera make out and Lorena warns him against getting any ideas but there's no indication he's even attracted to her.

I wouldn't even put a ton of merit in the cartoon, honestly. He dated Tula briefly while he was still a teen but a lot of gay people date "straight" before figuring their stuff out. In the season 1 finale he didn't kiss Rocket, she grabbed him, and he seemed more shocked than excited. In season 2, Tula is described as Kaldur's "great love" or whatever.....but it was Wally saying that, and he's pretty oblivious. They did use Tula's death to help justify Kaldur's undercover mission....but that's a mission, not necessarily truth. And other than that? Kaldur has had no romantic subplots at all.

Haven't watched season 3 yet though so maybe they delve more into his sexuality there. I'm just saying, even in the cartoon (S1 and 2 anyway) there's been so little done with Kaldur's sexuality I could see him being damn near anything.

And yeah, Weisman said something about some of the OG cast not being straight, and Kaldur's about the only one who didn't have a romance subplot so he's the obvious choice. But until it's actually said on screen it's just talk. Still, I dont think the cartoon does enough to solidify Kaldur as being any sexuality at all.

[Shockingjustice]

Edit: actually nevermind. Won't get into it.

Here's Jackson from Nick Robles!

Wow he looks really good with that hairstyle and it definitely looks different from other black men from DC.

[HandofPrometheus]

October solicitations are here! We getting some Aqualad content y'all!

AQUAMAN #53
written by KELLY SUE DeCONNICK
art by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES
cover by ROBSON ROCHA and JASON PAZ
variant cover by RAFA SANDOVAL

It’s the reunion everyone will be talking about as Aquaman and Mera finally come face to face! Meanwhile, Aqualad and the Old Gods put the murder charges to rest when the true culprit is revealed…and Black Manta makes his move on Aquaman!

ON SALE 10.16.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES

[HandofPrometheus]

AQUAMAN #54
writtenby KELLY SUE DeCONNICK
art by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES
acetate cover by DAN PANOSIAN
card stock variant cover by SHANE DAVIS and MICHELLE DELECKI

Black Manta and Mech Manta invade Amnesty Bay with one target in mind—Aqualad! Can Aquaman save his protégé from his deadly lineage? Or will the combined might of the Mantas finally be Arthur Curry’s undoing?

ON SALE 11.20.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
card stock variant cover $4.99

[HandofPrometheus]

So someone framed Aqualad for murder and I'm guessing that's why he was arrested. Interested to see how this plays out. The solicit says Old Gods but do they mean the Gods that are with Aquaman or the Greek Old Gods?

And I oop- Manta coming after Jackson again.

Was hoping to see him on some covers.

[Tzigone]

So someone framed Aqualad for murder and I'm guessing that's why he was arrested. Interested to see how this plays out. The solicit says Old Gods but do they mean the Gods that are with Aquaman or the Greek Old Gods?

Definitely the gods with Aquaman - they were called Old Gods specifically, and there's no reason for Greek gods to be involved.

[HandofPrometheus]

Definitely the gods with Aquaman - they were called Old Gods specifically, and there's no reason for Greek gods to be involved.

Ah right. Poseidon just popped up in my head for some reason.

[nj06]

Edit: actually nevermind. Won't get into it.

Here's Jackson from Nick Robles!

Not bad. I like that he has long hair again.

[9th.]

Loving the new hairstyle

[lemonpeace]

Loving the new hairstyle

all we need now is for Duke and Wallace to get new do's and we'll have the trinity of black boy joy.

[J. D. Guy]

Wow he looks really good with that hairstyle and it definitely looks different from other black men from DC.

Agreed on both fronts. Definitely nice to have cool, non-typical hairstyle for a Black DC guy (haven't had one of those in a while from DC's Black males).

So someone framed Aqualad for murder and I'm guessing that's why he was arrested. Interested to see how this plays out. The solicit says Old Gods but do they mean the Gods that are with Aquaman or the Greek Old Gods?

And I oop- Manta coming after Jackson again.

Was hoping to see him on some covers.

Same. Wanted to see Jackson get some cover action.

[lemonpeace]

looks like they finally incoparated Kaldur's sexuality into Young Justice!