Homosexuality in comic books has been little more than a slighting joke in the past. From cracks about tight underwear to the possibility of a male duo beating more than criminals, the idea of a gay super hero has been little more than a game of suspicion, feeding off the idea that a super hero being gay would be a laughable negative.
Luckily, things have changed. Gay X-man Northstar is getting married to his long-time boyfriend; Batwoman is a full-on lipstick lesbian; Xavin is a transgendered alien. All of these characters are gay, not as a character flaw but merely as a characteristic of themselves.
Unfortunately, none of these characters are very relevant in the grand scheme of the world of super heroes, which makes the label feel more like a public nod to homosexuality, without giving it a full platform.
Recently, DC Comics has released the rumor that this will change, as one of their more iconic heroes will be coming out of the closet soon. The question is, who? And, should we have seen it coming? Read on for our breakdown of plausible closet-dwellers from least likely to most likely.
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5) Batman
Why:
Three words: Neil Patrick Harris. This actor made history with one of the first teenage characters to lose his virginity on-screen on a prime-time show with Doogie Howser MD. When NPH came out as a homosexual, jaws literally dropped. For many an 80’s child, it would be akin to finding out that Charlie Sheen was actually gay. This is the supreme storyline for many a closeted man, real or on film, who creates such a heterosexual world to lie to himself and the world about who he really is. Of course, the whole idea of taking on young men to be his sidekick has also been mused about by many, including “TV Funhouse” with their segment of The Ambiguously Gay Duo.
Why Not:
It’s hard to think that Batman could really care to love anyone or anything except the cold hand of vengeance. If that’s a bit too vague, the idea that saying the previously mentioned duo was right would probably anger the gay community more than give it a sense of belonging in the super hero realm.
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4) Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
Why:
Besides the fact that the rumor leaked that this is the guy and every comic book geek seems to agree, Alan Scott exhibits enough stereotypical tells that could work in a gay super-hero angle. His sense of style to bring gladiator boots together with a red and green Victorian suit complete with cape is beyond parallel. The power rings could also be a nice segue into finding your true mate for marriage. Of course, that could make the whole Green Lantern Corps
suspect as well, leading to the knowledge that the supreme protectors of the free universe are all gay, and the Westboro Baptist Church is the embodiment of Nekron.
Why Not:
There’s no real reason to say, “Why not?” except that Alan Scott never really had the following of other Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan or Guy Gardner, who gained popularity close to the par of Batman and Superman. Giving the gay community Alan Scott would be like giving a gay man a seat in the House of Representatives instead of president. A step in the right direction, sure, but just feels like a consolation prize.
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3) Aquaman
Why:
Critics have been unofficially outing Aquaman for decades. It’s as if being a blonde, chiseled swimmer that shaves his chest is the full checklist for being gay. Unfortunately, it’s pretty close to the stereotype, Aquaman is iconic but not loved, and he doesn’t eat fish…so to speak. This could be the splash that could keep everyone happy.
Why Not:
Again, like Alan Scott, this is just too easy. A gay man that plays into many of the stereotypes is just too easy, and a bit false. Besides, NO ONE likes Aquaman. This includes the gay community.
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2) Superman
Why:
Superman is one of the elite of super heroes, the “Super Man” that all other heroes are gauged by. However, it is very suspect that the Man of Steel, with his perfect physique, hair, and composure, is drooled over not by straight women but straight men. Well, allegedly in the past anyway, considering the aim of this article. Besides that, Superman is due for yet another marketing overhaul. Making him gay would be right on level with killing him off in the cross-title Doomsday series. Just imagine the rainbow arm-bands in the plastic-wrapped issue.
Why Not:
Besides the heterosexual backlash of giving away their Man of Manliness, the real problem is: what gay man would wear the same color coordination and fashion for almost 75 years. Wait…75 years? Uh oh.
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1) The Question
Why:
With the new DC parallel universe being created, it would be perfect to make The Question, who was once reporter Vic Sage and then lesbian cop Renee Montoya, hold the gay mantle. The set up could make the character highly ambiguous, with no real name or gender, ushering into comic books the idea that being gay isn’t always a badge, but a characteristic that is melded into many other characteristics that define who we are.
Why Not:
For one, the idea above may be too heady and philosophical for DC Comics. It also doesn’t give that pure identity for the gay community to latch on to, much like SNL’s Pat.
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So, who will it be? Or is it someone else? Only DC knows for sure. Maybe. But that won’t stop us from polling the question.
No Plastic Man? Those sunglasses and outfit are definitely suspect.
Plastic Man has too much of a reference to cheesy porn to be a gay candidate, I think.