This question has been on my mind a lot lately.

Representation is vital in today's climate. People want to see themselves in all forms of media, but especially film. Wonder Woman led the way for female superheroes on the big screen, and Black Panther did the same for black (male) superheroes. Shang-Chi will probably be huge when the movie comes out. But nobody really seems to be pushing for a Northstar movie, or even a solo comic series, when really he seems to be the only option in terms of gay male representation.

Northstar could easily be Marvel's gay male version of Wonder Woman. No other character even comes close when it goes to mainstream comic history. He's had the first coming out, he's had the first gay marriage. I believe he's the first gay character to ever have his own title (albeit a mini-series)? Yet, he still goes pretty unnoticed by both fans and creators.

So why do you think Northstar isn't more popular?

Some possible responses based on what I've seen so far:

  • Northstar hasn't been pushed because Marvel only recently got the rights to mutants back.
  • Northstar is too "stereotypically gay" (whatever that means).
  • Iceman has taken Northstar's place as "token gay."
  • Northstar's powers aren't that unique.
  • Aurora drags Northstar down.