Major DC Character To Be Outed As Gay

[Brazoo]

I really don't get the shock. Since when is DC above sensationalization to create publicity?

It's kinda surprising to me that with all the characters in the DC universe they don't already have a gay character.

[PNGwynne]

Re: Batman--I think, as some others have suggested here, that would be a terrible decision on DC's part:it is not only untrue to the character's conception, it would feed into decades of dirty "youthful ward" jokes & innuendo.

It would trash the cool Bats-Catwoman relationship as well. Honestly, Batman is already a pretty complex & conflicted character--making him gay seems like a Brat Pack rehash.

I can't imagine that DC will touch the Trinity (& Robin, by association), although WW could legitimately explore lesbian or bisexual themes. Maybe WW has & I'm unaware of it.

But, I also can't imagine much of what has motivated DC in the last several years.

[PNGwynne]

It's kinda surprising to me that with all the characters in the DC universe they don't already have a gay character.

Oh, they do--but it's something "new" thats going to generate Death in the Family-like PR.

Putting Batwoman, Obsidian, Cavalier, or Pied Piper in good stories is just to much work.

[Random Axe]

Well, here's the mystery nobody has mentioned. How are they actually going to introduce/reveal this character? Is it going to be casually mentioned in passing, is he/she going to be caught in a compromising position like Lance Bass or is the character going to make a long, drawn-out monologue? Maybe it'll be a combination of the three.

If anyone thinks DC is being tasteless for this obvious exploitation and cash-grab, just wait till we see how the message is delivered. I have a feeling we are about to see a new level of disappointment, even for DC. I have ZERO confidence it's handled in the respectful manner it requires.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^How times have changed:

DC handled Pied Piper's outing very delicately and quietly in the pages of Flash in a roof-top scene where he and Wally were discussing villains. Wally asked Piper if he thought the Joker was gay, and Piper revealed he should know, because he was himself.

Meanwhile, Northstar, after years of fan speculation, in the midst of battle in a Rob Liefeld-ripoff splash page shouted out in huge letters "I'M GAY!!!"

Of course most of those 90s Marvel guys are running DC now, so...

Chris

[huedell]

This is all just too weird. The way I see it... yes, its a cheap ploy to use
the idea that a DCU character is going to be revealed as gay in order to
stir up publicity.

But besides being cheap, I don't see why people should be offended.... at
least until they see how its handled.

This attitude is identical for a political, religious, racial etc etc version
of this same scenario... across the board.

Other than that, I feel no need to hold DC responsible for a moral failing
just because they are making an "event comic" out of all this because
its their job to sell comics... its OUR job to say to buy 'em if we like 'em...
or to not if we don't.

[ctc]

>First, they retcon everything in the 80's, which was bad enough. Then, they do it AGAIN this year!

They’ve been doing that for a lot longer than the 80's. I think the big dif is that you started getting more long-term fans in the 80's than the decades before, making it tougher for them to just change everything up every 3 - 5 years.

>If they really, REALLY want tin increase sales and the fan base, all they have to do is WRITE BETTER STORIES!!!!!

I think the problem here is “what counts as a better story?” Everyone says this is what they should do, but I suspect there wouldn’t be a strong consensus.... except maybe for “like they USED to!”

....which is a bit of a misnomer, since you’d need to specify WHICH “used to” you’re referring to, and why that’s the route to go as opposed to another “used to.”

>Since when is DC above sensationalization to create publicity?

Very true; but back in the day it involved gorillas, or not dreams/not imaginary stories, or the return of some big name artist....

Don C.

[torgospizza]

...Northstar, after years of fan speculation, in the midst of battle in a Rob Liefeld-ripoff splash page shouted out in huge letters "I'M GAY!!!"

You're joking, right? That's like if Ultron just blew away a team mate with an energy blast, and our hero's response is "I like kissing girls!!!" It sounds like comedy, rather than character development.

[The Toyroom]

Very true; but back in the day it involved gorillas, or not dreams/not imaginary stories, or the return of some big name artist....

I think I'd just like them to bring back the gorillas and forget all of these attempts at relevance and realism. They're freakin' comic books for pete's sake!

[JediJaida]

Finally, Someone Who Thinks On My Wavelength!!!

[Earth 2 Chris]

You're joking, right? That's like if Ultron just blew away a team mate with an energy blast, and our hero's response is "I like kissing girls!!!" It sounds like comedy, rather than character development.

Not kidding:



Okay, it wasn't a splash, but he still yelled it out in the midst of battle.

Jim (Dr. Sheldon Cooper) Parsons of The Big Bang Theory just came out of the closet. He is practically a comic character. Does he count as DC's big reveal?

Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons: I'm Gay - UsMagazine.com


Chris

[Random Axe]

^^^That is totally and completely offensive in every sense of the word. They had to do this in a freakin comic book? In Alpha Flight no less? I cannot believe Marvel allowed that to happen under any editorial direction. It's inexcuseable.




Of course I'm referring to Liefield's artwork.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Bad part is Scott, that's NOT Liefeld. It's one of his many clones who Marvel kept in paychecks after the Image boys jumped ship.

Chris

[torgospizza]

Okay, it wasn't a splash, but he still yelled it out in the midst of battle.

Now I want to get that issue just so I can read everything that led up to that speech. BTW, just reading up on Northstar on Wikipedia, I guess Byrne planned on him being gay from the start, but Shooter vetoed it and they skirted the issue with this and that. So, in my mind, anyone that might have been upset when Marvel "made him gay" really had no reason to gripe, because he already was from Alpha Flight's first appearance.

[Random Axe]

Why would anyone choose to be a clone of an artist that, without question, is among the worst five pencillers ever to put graphite to page? Mark Pacella may just be number six.

At least, according to my failing memory, this plot twist of sorts was never announced beforehand giving it shock value and realism. However goofy it is to make such an announcement while beating up a Canadian Mountie, it wasn't made into a media spectacle until after it's relsease.

Based on cryptic hints, I have a sneaky suspicion who the character is, but I'll keep that to myself.