LGBT+ Marvel Characters Discussion

[The Invincible Beawulf]

This! I get that it's so hard to do a bisexual character justice in a limited run, because you ALSO don't want to fall into the 'bisexuals are so sexually promiscuous' trope... BUT... esp. at a company like Disney, that is both behind the times AND intentionally dragging their feet... one-line on the same-sex attraction then focus on the 'comfortable' side of a bisexual's interests in a hetro-normative setting is a little... unfulfilling. Let's put it that way. And that's fine, they can do what they like it's their characters, but it won't get any praise for pushing boundaries or being bold or being an ally.

Let's be honest, it's not like Disney hasn't shown us men and women together since their first ever movie with Snow White and the Prince. A man and a woman being attracted to one another...

Disney/Marvel don't wanna push the boundaries... They can say whatever they want, but according to them, it's taking risks & having less profit. They mainly care about $$$, not being praised for diversity & proper representation. They play the safe game & don't care about that showing hetero-normative relationships isn't groundbreaking.
Which is sad.

[Kieran_Frost]

Also sexuality isn't all about sex and relationships. You can show a character is bi/pan even when they aren't in a relationship.

100% agreed, 100%. BUT... at this point in time, at this company, in these films... words and references feel a little shallow/cheap compared to the countless opposite sex kisses, and acts of intimacy we've seen across the entire franchise. It just feels like a major imbalance. Word would have been great ten years ago... it's 2021, we need a little more than references.

The scene with Loki at the beginning of Thor Ragnarok is a perfect example of a missed opportunity. Loki is posing as Odin and has a host of women around him basically the way old kings did. For that scene with a bi or pan character, I'd expect to have at least both men and women doing the pampering, feeding and massaging. The scene itself is not sexual & has nothing to do with relationships but subtly sends the message that Loki is straight since he only surrounds himself with beautiful women even when he's just relaxing.

Excellent example of how it could have been done with ease and grace.

Disney/Marvel don't wanna push the boundaries... They can say whatever they want, but according to them, it's taking risks & having less profit. They mainly care about $$$, not being praised for diversity & proper representation. They play the safe game & don't care about that showing hetero-normative relationships isn't groundbreaking.
Which is sad.

I would disagree, according to them, publicly, they WANT to be praised and seen as trailblazers. I don't agree that they are wanting to be seen as not supporting diversity... even though... when it comes to the LGBT+ community, they don't. YES, we all know green is king at Disney. And they can do what they want, I just... find it objectionable to wanting to be seen as allies, at-least in the wider sphere... when they are painfully not.

[Dermie]

The Week In Gay:

Gamma Flight #2 of 5 - Dr. Charlene McGowan is part of the team in this IMMORTAL HULK spin-off.

Guardians Of The Galaxy #16

New Mutants #20 - multiple LGBT characters in this. Besides regular and recurring cast members like Karma and Anole, there is also an appearance by Daken and Vita Ayala has introduced two new mutants that they have identified on Twitter as being trans (not sure if that has been confirmed on-panel yet).

Reptil #3 - Reptil's gay cousin Julian has a good role in this.

Thor Annual #1 - an alternate universe Loki appears for a few pages. Fernande from the League of the Realms makes a cameo appearance but has no dialogue.

X-Men Legends #5 - this issue starts a two-part story by Peter David set back during his original X-FACTOR run. Multiple Man is part of the team, but this was before PAD introduced any of Jamie's gay dupes so we probably won't see that touched on here.

[Krakoa]

Reptil #3 - Reptil's gay cousin Julian has a good role in this.

On that point, the press release for Marvel’s Voices: Communidades says Terry Blas is introducing a new hero spinning out of Reptil. Maybe a heroic identity for Julian? Blas has said he was proud of the Julian character in a few interviews I’ve seen. https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...1-announcement

[Dermie]

On that point, the press release for Marvel’s Voices: Communidades says Terry Blas is introducing a new hero spinning out of Reptil. Maybe a heroic identity for Julian? Blas has said he was proud of the Julian character in a few interviews I’ve seen. https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...1-announcement

Its possible although I'd have thought it more likely to be Julian's sister Eva, who has been developing magical powers. Either way, I expect Julian is likely to appear in that story.

[Dermie]

The Week In Gay:

Black Cat #8 - part one of the new "Infinity Score" arc

Cable #12 - series finale. Deadpool guest stars.

Eternals #6 -Sprite is in this issue

Mighty Valkyries #4 - Runa continues to co-star in this, and she meets Lisa Halloran (America Chavez's ex)

SWORD #7 - part of the "Last Annihilation" crossover. Hulkling guest stars -- and we finally see the events from the flash-forward at the end of EMPYRE play out in real time.

Symbiote Spider-Man: Crossroads #1 of 5 - Black Cat is a supporting character in this

United States Of Captain America #2 of 5 - Aaron Fisher has a behind-the-scenes cameo as the newest Cap gets a text message from him. There is also a cameo by a trans character who was protected by Nichelle Wright (new Cap)

Wolverine #14 - this issue picks up on Christian Frost's fate after the Hellfire Gala....it turns out he was just injured, not killed. This also kicks off a new arc featuring bisexual baddie Solem, but he only makes a one-panel cameo at the end of the issue.

[djoki96]

Mighty Valkyries #4 - Runa continues to co-star in this, and she meets Lisa Halloran (America Chavez's ex)

Also, there are some implications that Hela and Karnila's marriage isn't entirely platonic.

[The Invincible Beawulf]

I think some of you might be interested in this Marvel will publish a Pride-related anthology:
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/how-...or-bookstores/


Marvel's Voices: Pride Paperback – May 3, 2022
by Anthony Oliveira, Steve Orlando, Kieron Gillen, Allan Heinberg, Javier Garron, Jim Cheung , Kris Anka
Stories from the world outside your window, by diverse creators who are making theirs Marvel — and making their voices heard! Take pride in a rainbow-powered, queer-centered anthology by an amazing assembly of writers and artists from all walks of life. New talents and fan-favorites tell their Pride stories — stories of inspiration and empowerment, featuring Wiccan and Hulkling! Iceman! Mystique and Destiny! Karma! Akihiro! Nico Minoru and Karolina Dean! And more sensational characters, old and new! Plus, Billy and Teddy's honeymoon is interrupted by a full-scale galactic invasion of symbiotes! Aaron Fischer is the Captain America of the railways! And a stunning gallery of Phil Jimenez's Pride Month variant covers!

COLLECTING: Marvel's Voices: Pride (2021) 1, King in Black: Wiccan and Hulkling (2021) 1, material from Marvel's Voices (2020) 1, United States of Captain America (2021) 1

[Dermie]

I think some of you might be interested in this Marvel will publish a Pride-related anthology:
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/how-...or-bookstores/


Marvel's Voices: Pride Paperback – May 3, 2022
by Anthony Oliveira, Steve Orlando, Kieron Gillen, Allan Heinberg, Javier Garron, Jim Cheung , Kris Anka
Stories from the world outside your window, by diverse creators who are making theirs Marvel — and making their voices heard! Take pride in a rainbow-powered, queer-centered anthology by an amazing assembly of writers and artists from all walks of life. New talents and fan-favorites tell their Pride stories — stories of inspiration and empowerment, featuring Wiccan and Hulkling! Iceman! Mystique and Destiny! Karma! Akihiro! Nico Minoru and Karolina Dean! And more sensational characters, old and new! Plus, Billy and Teddy's honeymoon is interrupted by a full-scale galactic invasion of symbiotes! Aaron Fischer is the Captain America of the railways! And a stunning gallery of Phil Jimenez's Pride Month variant covers!

COLLECTING: Marvel's Voices: Pride (2021) 1, King in Black: Wiccan and Hulkling (2021) 1, material from Marvel's Voices (2020) 1, United States of Captain America (2021) 1

Cool. It will be nice to see Vecchio's Gay Superhero Pride parade story from the first MARVEL'S VOICES packaged together with the PRIDE one-shot; it pairs nicely with his introduction story for PRIDE recapping the history of LGBT characters in the MU.

[Dermie]

The Week In Gay:

Deadpool: Black White & Blood #1 - in addition to Wade, one of the stories in this anthology also had Scout/Honey Badger guest star.

Guardians Of The Galaxy Annual #1 - Hercules is one of the two featured characters in this, and the origin of Prince Of Power is revealed

Silk #5 - Saya Ishii, Silk's new enemy, is revealed to have a crush on her. Also Cindy's friend Lola has a supporting role.

X-Men #2 - Black Cat has a cameo appearance.

[Jabare]

given the recent DC news, which company do we feel has a better representation of LGBTQ characters?

neither? about the same? Do both need improvement?

[ZuLuLu]

given the recent DC news, which company do we feel has a better representation of LGBTQ characters?

neither? about the same? Do both need improvement?

While there is always room for improvement, I feel like Marvel is doing better just base on Ewing's Guardians Of The Galaxy alone.

[Dermie]

I'd say that in general Marvel has been doing better over the last few years, with multiple team books with at least one openly LGBT member, several solo titles with LGBT supporting cast, etc. However it does seem like this year DC has made an effort to try and catch up.

I feel like right now Marvel may be better for ongoing LGBT+ presence in ensemble and supporting roles, but DC may be better at the moment for LGBT characters headlining their own solo or co-starring projects, with the current CRUSH & LOBO mini, their upcoming AQUAMAN mini, etc.

[Will Evans]

given the recent DC news, which company do we feel has a better representation of LGBTQ characters?

neither? about the same? Do both need improvement?

X-men need improvement with females on that. It’s pretty telling that their queerest book X-Factor, has no outed females.

[Magnito]

They need to stop giving America Chavez solo comics, because every time they do, I hate them and they ruin the character just a little more for me.

I mean either that or just not make them terrible. But they can't seem to do that, so...