Leigh Hill looks into the growing number of queer characters in comic books.
Over the last few decades, comic book and cartoon universes have seen a massive rise in LGBTIQ characters. Some of them are brand new characters who identify as LGBT from their inception. Some of them are classic characters, who have come out of the closet in recent years. Some of them are queer icons, who may not outwardly identify with any label.
For these writers and publishers, it is a powerful statement to be including these themes in their literature, yet it is still quite rare to see. It is incredibly easy to dismiss animated programming and comic books as niche culture, yet there are examples from both realms that have become so ubiquitous in popular culture today, it would be foolish to ignore their capacity as mainstream media. LGBT characters in animation also provide a beacon for youth who are confused, alone or afraid.
As a young boy, I always looked to the ‘X-Men’ as an allegory for growing up gay. The comic book team of super-powered mutants were outcast from society for being different, yet their creed was to help all others in need and do what is right – no matter what. Their founder, Xavier, taught them to find strength in what made them different. In this I found strength, and I still do, even at 26 years of age.
Now, it is not mere allegory, but explicit mentions of teenage mutants, or aliens or everyday humans dealing with the struggles of growing up queer, all the while fighting evil and saving the planet. Let’s take a look at some of these LGBT superheroes who have saved the world, and how audiences have reacted to their place in a fictional universe.
At the peak of their popularity, expanded comic book universes were proliferating new characters, worlds and teams exponentially. One iteration of the ‘Uncanny X-Men’, saw the formation of a Canadian team of mutants, who would later feature in their own series, “Alpha Flight”. Northstar, a French-Canadian elite skier, who discovered he could manipulate light and fly, was a major player in this squadron. At the time of the first issue’s release in 1979, creator John Byrne had intended for Northstar to be openly gay, a first in the Marvel universe.
At the time, Marvel had a policy against openly homosexual characters, which was in accordance with the Comics Code Authority. The CCA was formed in 1954, initially to censor blood and gore from comic books, though it wasn’t long before its definition expanded to prevent thematic exploration of sexual orientation. Byrne was dedicated to his creation, instead writing Northstar as having no interest in women due to his blind commitment to skiing. In 1992, Marvel railed against the CCA, having Northstar state in no uncertain terms, “I am gay”.
Marvel were the first comic book publishers to write in an openly gay character, to much controversy from the public. The controversy was reignited in 2009, when Northstar announced his engagement to his lover, Kyle. Despite opposition from conservative groups in the USA, Marvel made a major event of Northstar’s wedding, dedicating an entire issue to the marriage, and inviting an all-star cast of characters to attend the ceremony. Now, other major comic labels have ditched the CCA’s rulings and feature characters from across the LBGTIQ spectrum, and I only hope there are many more to come.
More recently, Nickelodeon’s ridiculously successful cartoon series ‘The Legend of Korra’ faced some controversy for merely alluding to a homosexual relationship between eponymous hero Korra, and one of her female companions. Korra, the chosen avatar, must journey across her world to master the elements and bring peace to the planet. During her journey Korra faces many obstacles, though none so thoroughly explored as her on-and-off relationship with her traveling companion Mako (a male). Along for the journey are Mako’s brother Bolin, and Mako’s ex-girlfriend Asami. Korra and Asami have a tense relationship at first, due to some jealousy issues – however their friendship blossoms a strong and honest bond, with the power of friendship being a major theme in the series.
At the finale, Korra (SPOILERS) saves the world and steps through the portal to the spirit realm. Korra, at this point single and assumed “straight”, clasps hands with her close companion Asami, and walks through the portal in the final scene of the series.
This sparked a massive outpour of angry social media posts from conservatives, decreeing the creators had no right to ruin the show with “fan service”. Parents were outraged that their children had to see two women holding hands. The creators decided to dispel the confusion, by posting online that “Korrasami is canon”. The two women are a couple, they were confused about their sexuality throughout the series and that is why there was tension between them.
This statement from the show’s creators helped to reinforce that LGBT identifying people exist everywhere, and that they have every right to be represented in all forms of literature and entertainment, for that better reflects the spectrum of sexuality that exists in our world.
Korra and Northstar are but two examples in these massive and rapidly expanding realms of popular culture. Hopefully producers will continue to honestly reflect our world within their fabricated universes and help audiences, young and old, to understand diversity should be celebrated, not censored.
L A Hill
