Kev Maxen, Jaguars strength ach, out as gay a first for U.S.-based pro leagu - Washgton Tim

Contents:

• MIDNIGHTER IS THE BT PORTRAYAL OF A GAY SUPERHERO MASTREAM COMICS
• DC'S MIDNIGHTER, A LOVE AFFAIR WH GAY HERO, AND THE INIC COUPLE
• MIDNIGHTER: DC'S GAY SUPERHERO COULD USE SOME {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY KARMAN KREGLOEJUNE 26, 2007/6:16 PMBY KARMAN KREGLOEJUNE 26, 2007 / 6:16 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"MIDNIGHTER: DC'S GAY SUPERHERO COULD USE SOME RCUG","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-06-26T22:16:19.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-06-26T22:16:19.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"KARMAN KREGLOE","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO, WRER WARREN ELLIS AND ARTIST BRYAN HCH CREATED MIDNIGHTER, WHO THIS PAST NOVEMBER BEME THE FIRST GAY DC SUPERHERO TO HEADLE HIS OWN STANDALONE SERI. BUT AS OF JUNE'S ISSUE, MIDNIGHTER'S SEXUALY HAS YET TO BE FULLY TEGRATED TO HIS CHARACTER OR HIS STORY. IN ANTICIPATN OF THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW REGULAR WRER FOR THE SERI, LOOKS AT MIDNIGHTER'S ORIGS AND THE HANDLG OF HIS SEXUALY BY VAR WRERS AND ARTISTS OVER THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STORMWATCH #4 (WILDSTORM/IMAGE COMICS, VER DATE FEB. 1998) TRODUCED TWO CHARACTERS THAT WOULD SOON BEE SYMBOLS FOR A GENERATN OF GAY ICS FANS: APOLLO AND MIDNIGHTER. AT FIRST GLANCE, THE PAIR WERE SEEMGLY ANALOGS OF SUPERMAN AND BATMAN: WHILE APOLLO WAS STRONG, FAST, VULNERABLE AND PENNT ON THE SUN FOR HIS POWERS, MIDNIGHTER WAS CLAD BLACK LEATHER, ULD PREDICT HIS OPPONENTS’ MOV AND LIKED TO FLICT HEAVY DAMAG ON BAD PEOPLE. SO FAR, SO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT OM THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE, SOMETHG WAS UNUAL: THEY WERE SOMETIM SEEN HALF-NAKED, DRSG TOGETHER BEFORE ANOTHER DAY OF FIGHTG, AS YET UNAFFILIATED WH ANY OTHER HERO. (THEY WERE SECRETLY REBUILT AS HUMAN WEAPONS BY YET ANOTHER POWER-MAD CHARACTER, WH NO MEMORY OF THEIR PREV LIFE.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A YEAR LATER, AS THE STORMWATCH SERI MORPHED TO THE AUTHORY (WH THE WILDSTORM IMPRT NOW PUBLISHED BY DC COMICS), THE TWO CHARACTERS WERE CLUD THE EPONYMO GROUP, AND OVER THE URSE OF THEIR 12-ISSUE N, ELLIS AND HCH GAVE MORE AND MORE HTS THAT, UNLIKE SUPERMAN AND BATMAN, THE TWO NEW CHARACTERS WERE, ED, MORE THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TERTG THG IS THAT THE WORD "GAY" WASN'T ED AT THE TIME. INSTEAD, REARS ME TO UNRSTAND WHAT WAS GOG ON THROUGH SCEN SHOWG APOLLO AND MIDNIGHTER RG FOR EACH OTHER, AS ISSUE NO. 7 WHEN APOLLO IS WOUND AND MIDNIGHTER HOLDS HIM HIS ARMS. IT WAS SUBTLE (WHICH WAS FELY THE GOAL OF THE WRER, WHO AT FIRST HADN'T EVEN TOLD THE ARTIST THE CHARACTERS WERE GAY), BUT VERY CLEAR. GAY SUPERHERO FANS FALLY HAD AN ENDURG GAY UPLE THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEN WRER MARK MILLAR TOOK OVER, AND WHILE THE GAY GENIE WAS CERTALY NOT PUT BACK THE BOTTLE, THE SUBTLETY QUICKLY EVAPORATED. MILLAR'S N, WHICH LASTED ABOUT 20 ISSU (CLUDG A FOUR-ISSUE MISERI), WAS FULL OF HOMOPHOBIC SULTS HURLED BY VILLAS, ANAL SEX JOK AND RAP (OF APOLLO, AND THEN OF HIS ATTACKER BY MIDNIGHTER) WH LARGE, TUBULAR OBJECTS, A FATE RARELY, IF EVER, ENDURED BY STRAIGHT MALE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE CHARACTERS WERE MORE OR LS RCED TO THEIR GAYNS, THOUGH THEY ALSO GOT MARRIED AND BEME FOSTER PARENTS OF A YOUNG, SUPERPOWERED GIRL — FELY A FIRST FOR MASTREAM SUPERHERO ICS. AND AT LEAST THEY WERE PORTRAYED AS THE MORE STABLE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORY TEAM TERMS OF RELATNSHIPS, WHICH WAS A NICE BLOW TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VAR MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORY ALSO HAD SEXUAL RELATNSHIPS, BUT THEY WERE STRICTLY TEMPORARY AND SHOWN AS BEG MORE ABOUT GOOD SEX BETWEEN IENDS THAN LOVE. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GAY UPLE IS NEVER ACTUALLY PICTED CMPLG THE BED SHEETS, UNLIKE THE STRAIGHT CHARACTERS WHOSE SEX LIV DON'T HAVE TO BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OTHER MIDNIGHTER CREATORS OF TERT CLU ED BBAKER (STORY) AND DT NGUYEN (ART) FOR THEIR 12-ISSUE THE AUTHORY: REVOLUTN (2005) STORY, WHICH ACTUALLY ED THE RELATNSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO GAY CHARACTERS AS A TALYST FOR THE TEAM'S DISMANTLG. ONLY APOLLO ULD HAVE NVCED MIDNIGHTER THAT DISBANDG WAS A SENSIBLE IA, AND ONLY MIDNIGHTER ULD DO BY JT WALKG OUT ON HIS TEAMMAT WHOUT ANY EXPLANATN. BBAKER CLEARLY UNRSTOOD HOW TO E THE EP LOVE BETWEEN THE TWO MEN, AS WELL AS MIDNIGHTER'S TENNCY TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOLO SERI, MULTIPLE PROBLEMS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS THE FIRST TIME A GAY SUPERHERO HEADLED HIS OWN SERI (NOT UNTG A 1994 NORTHSTAR MISERI OM MARVEL WHERE THE CHARACTER, THOUGH OFFICIALLY GAY, WAS PLETELY SEXLS), BUT GAY REARS WERE TROUBLED BY ENNIS' CLARATN A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE START OF THE SERI: "I'LL TRY TO MATA AS A SOLO BOOK, WHOUT ANY MAJOR APPEARANC BY THE AUTHORY GENERAL (SUPERTEAM, YAWN) OR APOLLO PARTICULAR (BORG BLOND TWAT)."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ENNIS APPEARED UNTERTED WRG A GAY CHARACTER WHO HAPPENS TO BE LIVG HAPPILY WH ANOTHER MAN AND RAISG A TEENAGE GIRL. OF URSE, SCE ENNIS IS A GOOD WRER, HE GAVE HIS CHARACTER A BELIEVABLE MOTIVATN BY SHOWG HIM THKG OF HIMSELF AS "NOT A LOVER," "NOT A FATHER" AND "NOT A IEND." MIDNIGHTER HAS ALWAYS BEEN PICTED AS A LONER AT HEART, AS WELL AS SOMETHG OF A PSYCHOPATH. AFTER ALL, HE WAS BUILT TO BE A "KILLG MACHE," WHICH WAS THE TLE OF THAT FIRST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT ALSO SEEMED LIKE AN EASY WAY OUT OF SHOWG HIM HAVG AFFECTN TOWARD ANOTHER MAN, WHICH HE NEVER DO DURG THE SIX ISSU WRTEN BY ENNIS. THAT DON'T MEAN ENNIS TRIED TO -GAY HIM EXACTLY. ONCE AGA, VILLAS SULT MIDNIGHTER WH HOMOPHOBIC MENTS ("LTLE U," "TROER-PILOT" — EVERYBODY KNOWS HE'S GAY, APPARENTLY), BUT WE DO GET A ONE SCENE WHERE THE CHARACTER, TRAVELG TIME, LEARNS THAT THE DISTANT FUTURE SEXUAL ORIENTATN WON'T EXIST ANYMORE AND "EVERYBODY JT … DO EVERYONE," WHICH VIGORAT HIM TO NO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WAS NOT SHOWG HIM WH APOLLO A WAY TO MAKE THE SERI MORE PALATABLE TO A LARGER DIENCE? WAS AN EDORIAL MANDATE OR SIMPLY ENNIS' PREFERENCE? IT'S A CUR ISSUE, PECIALLY SCE EVEN THE SIXTH STALLMENT — WHICH PRENTS A TRAGIC LOVE STORY BETWEEN TWO JAPANE SAMURAIS WHO LOOK VERY MUCH LIKE APOLLO AND MIDNIGHTER — DON'T NTA ANY STANCE OF SAME-SEX AFFECTN. THEY LIE BIS EACH OTHER AT NIGHT BUT DON'T TOUCH OR KISS. MOREOVER, THERE'S THE PROBLEM OF FDAL JAPANE SAMURAIS G WORDS SUCH AS "SODOM" AND GENERALLY BEHAVG LIKE HOMOPHOBIC MIDDLE AG KNIGHTS, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY OUT-OF-CHARACTER FOR PEOPLE OF THAT TIME AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AT LEAST, THGS WEREN'T AS BAD AS DURG MILLAR'S N BACK 2000, WHEN DC EDORIAL CENSORED A KISS BETWEEN MIDNIGHTER AND HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SEVENTH ISSUE OF THE NEW SERI, WRTEN BY BRIAN K. VGHAN (WHO'S ALREADY PROVEN HIS GAY-IENDLS HIS EX MACHA SERI, WHERE A MIXED-RACE GAY MARRIAGE TAK PLACE), BEGS WH A CUTE FULL-PAGE KISS BETWEEN THE TWO MARRIED MEN, TH BREAKG THE NO-KISSG TRACK RERD OF THE SERI SO FAR. BUT EVEN VGHAN FALLS BACK ON G A HOMOPHOBIC VILLA HIS ISSUE. HOMOPHOBIA SEEMS TO BE SHORTHAND FOR "BAD GUY," BUT REEKS OF LAZS OM THE WRERS. AFTER ALL, WE DON'T SEE THE OPPONENTS OF FEMALE CHARACTERS ALWAYS BEHAVG A MISOGYNISTIC WAY. IT WOULD QUICKLY GET BORG AND WOULD RIGHTFULLY RAISE A FEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE JUNE ISSUE OF MIDNIGHTER — THE MOST RECENT — WRTEN BY CHRISTOS GAGE, HAD ABSOLUTELY NO GAY NTENT. AT LEAST BOASTED A NONHOMOPHOBIC OPPONENT, WHICH WAS SOME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT MONTH BRGS ANOTHER SGLE-ISSUE STORY, AND FOLLOWG THAT THE SERI WILL WELE S NEW REGULAR WRER, KEH GIFFEN, A WELL-KNOWN AND RENOWNED WRER AND ARTIST CURRENTLY VOLVED DC'S PANY-WI CROSSOVERS. GIFFEN ISN'T PECIALLY KNOWN FOR WRG GAY-CLIVE ICS, THOUGH HE'S WRTEN A FEW GAY-IENDLY SCEN HIS RECENT HUMORO JTICE LEAGUE MISERI. HE'S CLARED HIS PLAN TO LVE EPER TO MIDNIGHTER'S UNKNOWN PAST, BUT HAS STATED NO TENTN OF VOLVG APOLLO. (DC HAS NOT ANSWERED OUR REQUT FOR AN TERVIEW ON THAT SUBJECT.) IT REMAS TO BE SEEN WHETHER HE'LL WRE A MORE WELL-ROUND CHARACTER THAN MOST OF HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE BLACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MIDNIGHTER WAS ST THE SAME MOULD AS VLENT SUPERHERO LIKE BATMAN (WHO AT LEAST IS SUPPOSED TO NOT KILL ANYONE), MARVEL'S WOLVERE AND THE PUNISHER. INED, MIDNIGHTER IS VERY MUCH LIKE THEM, APART OM THE FACT THAT HE'S UNASHAMEDLY AND OPENLY GAY — AT LEAST THEORY. TO RCE HIS BEG GAY TO A FEW JOK OR JIB, AS GAY-IENDLY AS THEY MIGHT BE TEND, SHOWS A RELUCTANCE (OR AN ABILY) TO WRE A BELIEVABLE GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INSTEAD, THE TELLIGENT TEGRATN OF HIS GAYNS IS A GOAL AT BT SPORADILLY REACHED. NOT SHOWG MIDNIGHTER WH HIS LOVER — OR SOME WAY ACKNOWLEDGG HIS SEXUALY — MAK HIM JT ANOTHER BLACK-CLOTHED VLENT HERO, SOMETHG THAT SUPERHERO ICS DON'T REALLY NEED. THE ORIGALY OF THE CHARACTER SEEMS TO LIE THE BALANCE BETWEEN HIS TOUGH BEHAVR AND HIS TENRNS WH HIS MALE LOVER AND HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WOULD BE NICE IF GIFFEN CID TO SHOW MIDNIGHTER BEG HAPPY WH HIS PARTNER, OR AT LEAST TERACTG AS A UPLE BEYOND A KISS HERE AND THERE (AND WOULD BE NSISTENT WH THE WAY THOSE CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN PORTRAYED). AND GIFFEN ALSO NEEDS TO FD OTHER WAYS TO EMPOWER THE VILLAS THAN BY SIMPLY HAVG THEM SULT MIDNIGHTER WH ANTI-GAY RHETORIC. EVEN IF 'S ALWAYS DONE AS AN EXCE FOR THE ANTIHERO TO KICK THEIR ASS (WHICH, AFTER ALL, IS WHAT MOST REARS WANT TO SEE A MIDNIGHTER IC), 'S A SELECTIVE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE HERO'S SEXUALY THAT RC WHAT ULD BE A PLEX, VIBRANT GAY CHARACTER TO A NFLICTED, NSISTENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OTHER MIDNIGHTER FACTS: {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF MIDNIGHTER AND APOLLO IS LLECTED STORMWATCH: A FER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· ALL THE AUTHORY ICS ARE AVAILABLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· THE FIRST MIDNIGHTER LLECTN, ENTLED KILLG MACHE, WILL BE PUBLISHED BY DC NOVEMBER AND WILL CLU THE SIX GARTH ENNIS-PENNED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ILLTRATNS:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· COVER OF ISSUE #5 OF THE MIDNIGHTER SERI, ART BY CHRIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF MIDNIGHTER AND APOLLO, ART BY BRYAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· APOLLO AND MIDNIGHTER KISS, OM MIDNIGHTER #7, ART BY DARICK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• DC COMICS PH GAY PRI ON CHILDREN WH SAME-SEX SUPERHERO COUPLE ‘MIDNIGHTER AND APOLLO’
• DC CANCELS "MIDNIGHTER," ONLY MASTREAM COMIC WH GAY LEAD CHARACTER"PEOPLE WERE GIVEN A QUEER IN THAT THEY SERVED, AND THEY NNECTED WH HIM."{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CULTUREBY DAN AVERYAPRIL 8, 2016/5:43 PMBY DAN AVERYAPRIL 8, 2016 / 5:43 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"DC CANCELS \"MIDNIGHTER,\" ONLY MASTREAM COMIC WH GAY LEAD CHARACTER","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-04-08T21:43:14.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-04-08T21:43:14.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"DAN AVERY","ARTICLESECTN":"CULTURE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS DC COMICS READI FOR S PANY-WI "REBIRTH" NEXT MONTH, APPEARS ONE OF OUR FAVORE ICS IS G TO AN END: MIDNIGHTER, WHICH REUNTS THE ADVENTUR OF A GAY VIGILANTE WHO MAK BATMAN LOOK LIKE A PACIFIST, WRAPS WH ISSUE NUMBER 12 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THOUGH MIDNIGHTER IS DC'S ONLY GAY-ONTED TLE, S UNLIKELY HOMOPHOBIA WAS BEHD THE IC'S MISE: IT'S NOTORLY HARD TO LNCH A NEW IC THE DAYS—PECIALLY ONE NOT TIED TO THE SUPERMAN OR BATMAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STEVE ORLANDO, THE BI WRER WHO'S HELMED MIDNIGHTER SCE 'S LNCH, ACTUALLY CLUD A CROSSOVER WH DICK GRAYSON (THE FORMER ROB) THAT WAS FULL OF HOMOEROTIC UNRTON. BUT WASN'T ENOUGH TO GET THE IC'S NUMBERS UP TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AT LEAST MIDNIGHTER GETS A PROPER SENDOFF—RNG WH HIS SUPERHERO EX, APOLLO, TO BATTLE HIS EVIL CREATOR, HENRY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE MIDNIGHTER NEVER FELT PREACHY, LUS TRENT'S SEXUALY WAS ALSO NEVER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"PEOPLE WERE GIVEN A QUEER IN THAT THEY SERVED, AND THEY NNECTED WH HIM," SAID ORLANDO AN TERVIEW WH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ALL THE 'BT OF 2015' LISTS, A GLAAD MEDIA AWARD NOMATN, AND THE PERSONAL MSAG PEOPLE SEND ME MOST OF ALL, ARE THE REAL ACPLISHMENT. THIS IS A BOOK I NEED WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, AND FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE NOW, THE NEXT GENERATN, IS MY GREATT ACPLISHMENT OF ALL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THANKFULLY THIS ISN'T THE LAST WE'LL SEE OF ORLANDO: HE RECENTLY SIGNED AN EXCLIVE NTRACT WH DC AND WILL BEG WRG A NEW SUPERGIRL SERI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS FOR MIDNIGHTER, HIS FUTURE ISN'T QUE SO CLEAR. BUT ORLANDO SISTS "HIS PLACE [ THE DC UNIVERSE] IS LIBLE, UNIQUE, AND UNQUTNABLE—PEOPLE WEREN’T SURE HOW MUCH THERE WAS TO HIM AS A CHARACTER, WHAT SEPARATED HIM OM BATMAN. NOW ANYONE WHO HAS READ THE BOOK WOULD NEVER NFE THE TWO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• "MIDNIGHTER" IS THE GAY COMIC BOOK YOU'VE BEEN WAG FOR
• DC'S MIDNIGHTER & APOLLO JT MA A BOLD STATEMENT ABOUT MASCULY AND GAY SEX
• GAY SUPERHERO APOLLO AND MIDNIGHTER RNE FOR A NEW DC COMICS SERI
• JAGUARS ACH OUT AS GAY A FIRST FOR U.S.-BASED PRO LEAGU

MIDNIGHTER IS THE BT PORTRAYAL OF A GAY SUPERHERO MASTREAM COMICS

He has joed proment superhero teams such as Stormwatch and The Authory and has earned a reputatn for beg a grtier, more lethal, more powerful, and somewhat psychotic allegory for Batman, and an openly gay one at that.

Throughout the urse of both teams, Midnighter and Apollo’s on-and-off romantic relatnship saw them bee one of the first openly gay upl mastream ics. Heck, he’s even seen foolg around on the gay datg app Grdr. For this reason, and many others, he’s seen as a rpectful – albe sometim msy – reprentatn of what means to be a gay superhero.

When Wildstorm beme a DC Comics imprt, Midnighter beme one of DC’s greatt gay characters.

DC'S MIDNIGHTER, A LOVE AFFAIR WH GAY HERO, AND THE INIC COUPLE

The new solo seri siarly se Midnighter sgle, but stead of teasg an evable romance wh Apollo once aga, or a relatnship for Midnighter to be thst to, we get somethg that’s actually surprisgly rare an ever-more-diverse world of ics: a gay character who is fortable beg sgle and sexually two issu already, we’ve seen Midnighter go on dat and sleep wh a number of different men.

Our troductn to the character Midnighter #1 is actually though a shot of his Grdr profile (a popular social app ed by Gay and bisexual men to meet, and sleep wh, other men—Ed: acrdg to menter Victr ’s apparently a profile om a siar app, Scff):Even as mastream ics get better wh their portrayal and prevalence of LGBTQ characters, they n still fall to the pfall of beg a ltle too “perfect”: they’re happily partnered or married already, their affectn show as nothg beyond a kiss or a hug (pared to the equent portrayal of straight sex among characters). It’s rare, and rehg, to have a gay character who isn’t that, who shown as fortable his sexualy and their sexlife as a sgle person. It helps humanize Midnighter, a character who fds himself equently ridiculo suatns as he his pregnive powers to predict and plan his superhero brawls, between the typil, over-the-top moments of ic book this week’s Midnighter #2, both of those sis of Midnighter e together as we see the hero teleport a date to a Mosw bar, leadg pretty much stantly to a punch wh the lol drkers—but further exploratn of the character’s sexualy the nfirmatn that, at some pot DC’s current ntuy, Apollo and Midnighter were a relatnship—emphasis on the were, as we get to see the hero walk out on Apollo after handg him a rd echog Midnighter’s tramark battle opener, where he clar that he already knows everythg about his opponent thanks to his own powers, and most importantly, that:Y, ’s sad that one of the most proment gay relatnships Wildstorm and DC’s ic history me to a close whout gettg to wns —but at the same time, ’s fascatg to see .

As I said before, ’s so rare to see gay characters mastream ics that have sex liv, cludg romantic liv that e wh the same sort of trials and tribulatns that straight characters get to go through. Relatnships, breakups, sex and sleepg around: Midnighter normaliz all that for a gay character, a way that is rarely shown the pag of ic books. And manag to do that while also balancg the personal drama wh the superhero sci-fi antics you know and love om the you’re lookg for a great new superhero ic seri to read, you should be pickg up Midnighter—not jt for the fact ’s actually a damn fun seri, but bee giv a fascatgly humanized gay lead.

MIDNIGHTER: DC'S GAY SUPERHERO COULD USE SOME {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY KARMAN KREGLOEJUNE 26, 2007/6:16 PMBY KARMAN KREGLOEJUNE 26, 2007 / 6:16 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"MIDNIGHTER: DC'S GAY SUPERHERO COULD USE SOME RCUG","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-06-26T22:16:19.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-06-26T22:16:19.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"KARMAN KREGLOE","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO, WRER WARREN ELLIS AND ARTIST BRYAN HCH CREATED MIDNIGHTER, WHO THIS PAST NOVEMBER BEME THE FIRST GAY DC SUPERHERO TO HEADLE HIS OWN STANDALONE SERI. BUT AS OF JUNE'S ISSUE, MIDNIGHTER'S SEXUALY HAS YET TO BE FULLY TEGRATED TO HIS CHARACTER OR HIS STORY. IN ANTICIPATN OF THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW REGULAR WRER FOR THE SERI, LOOKS AT MIDNIGHTER'S ORIGS AND THE HANDLG OF HIS SEXUALY BY VAR WRERS AND ARTISTS OVER THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STORMWATCH #4 (WILDSTORM/IMAGE COMICS, VER DATE FEB. 1998) TRODUCED TWO CHARACTERS THAT WOULD SOON BEE SYMBOLS FOR A GENERATN OF GAY ICS FANS: APOLLO AND MIDNIGHTER. AT FIRST GLANCE, THE PAIR WERE SEEMGLY ANALOGS OF SUPERMAN AND BATMAN: WHILE APOLLO WAS STRONG, FAST, VULNERABLE AND PENNT ON THE SUN FOR HIS POWERS, MIDNIGHTER WAS CLAD BLACK LEATHER, ULD PREDICT HIS OPPONENTS’ MOV AND LIKED TO FLICT HEAVY DAMAG ON BAD PEOPLE. SO FAR, SO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT OM THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE, SOMETHG WAS UNUAL: THEY WERE SOMETIM SEEN HALF-NAKED, DRSG TOGETHER BEFORE ANOTHER DAY OF FIGHTG, AS YET UNAFFILIATED WH ANY OTHER HERO. (THEY WERE SECRETLY REBUILT AS HUMAN WEAPONS BY YET ANOTHER POWER-MAD CHARACTER, WH NO MEMORY OF THEIR PREV LIFE.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A YEAR LATER, AS THE STORMWATCH SERI MORPHED TO THE AUTHORY (WH THE WILDSTORM IMPRT NOW PUBLISHED BY DC COMICS), THE TWO CHARACTERS WERE CLUD THE EPONYMO GROUP, AND OVER THE URSE OF THEIR 12-ISSUE N, ELLIS AND HCH GAVE MORE AND MORE HTS THAT, UNLIKE SUPERMAN AND BATMAN, THE TWO NEW CHARACTERS WERE, ED, MORE THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TERTG THG IS THAT THE WORD "GAY" WASN'T ED AT THE TIME. INSTEAD, REARS ME TO UNRSTAND WHAT WAS GOG ON THROUGH SCEN SHOWG APOLLO AND MIDNIGHTER RG FOR EACH OTHER, AS ISSUE NO. 7 WHEN APOLLO IS WOUND AND MIDNIGHTER HOLDS HIM HIS ARMS. IT WAS SUBTLE (WHICH WAS FELY THE GOAL OF THE WRER, WHO AT FIRST HADN'T EVEN TOLD THE ARTIST THE CHARACTERS WERE GAY), BUT VERY CLEAR. GAY SUPERHERO FANS FALLY HAD AN ENDURG GAY UPLE THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEN WRER MARK MILLAR TOOK OVER, AND WHILE THE GAY GENIE WAS CERTALY NOT PUT BACK THE BOTTLE, THE SUBTLETY QUICKLY EVAPORATED. MILLAR'S N, WHICH LASTED ABOUT 20 ISSU (CLUDG A FOUR-ISSUE MISERI), WAS FULL OF HOMOPHOBIC SULTS HURLED BY VILLAS, ANAL SEX JOK AND RAP (OF APOLLO, AND THEN OF HIS ATTACKER BY MIDNIGHTER) WH LARGE, TUBULAR OBJECTS, A FATE RARELY, IF EVER, ENDURED BY STRAIGHT MALE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE CHARACTERS WERE MORE OR LS RCED TO THEIR GAYNS, THOUGH THEY ALSO GOT MARRIED AND BEME FOSTER PARENTS OF A YOUNG, SUPERPOWERED GIRL — FELY A FIRST FOR MASTREAM SUPERHERO ICS. AND AT LEAST THEY WERE PORTRAYED AS THE MORE STABLE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORY TEAM TERMS OF RELATNSHIPS, WHICH WAS A NICE BLOW TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VAR MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORY ALSO HAD SEXUAL RELATNSHIPS, BUT THEY WERE STRICTLY TEMPORARY AND SHOWN AS BEG MORE ABOUT GOOD SEX BETWEEN IENDS THAN LOVE. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GAY UPLE IS NEVER ACTUALLY PICTED CMPLG THE BED SHEETS, UNLIKE THE STRAIGHT CHARACTERS WHOSE SEX LIV DON'T HAVE TO BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OTHER MIDNIGHTER CREATORS OF TERT CLU ED BBAKER (STORY) AND DT NGUYEN (ART) FOR THEIR 12-ISSUE THE AUTHORY: REVOLUTN (2005) STORY, WHICH ACTUALLY ED THE RELATNSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO GAY CHARACTERS AS A TALYST FOR THE TEAM'S DISMANTLG. ONLY APOLLO ULD HAVE NVCED MIDNIGHTER THAT DISBANDG WAS A SENSIBLE IA, AND ONLY MIDNIGHTER ULD DO BY JT WALKG OUT ON HIS TEAMMAT WHOUT ANY EXPLANATN. BBAKER CLEARLY UNRSTOOD HOW TO E THE EP LOVE BETWEEN THE TWO MEN, AS WELL AS MIDNIGHTER'S TENNCY TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOLO SERI, MULTIPLE PROBLEMS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS THE FIRST TIME A GAY SUPERHERO HEADLED HIS OWN SERI (NOT UNTG A 1994 NORTHSTAR MISERI OM MARVEL WHERE THE CHARACTER, THOUGH OFFICIALLY GAY, WAS PLETELY SEXLS), BUT GAY REARS WERE TROUBLED BY ENNIS' CLARATN A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE START OF THE SERI: "I'LL TRY TO MATA AS A SOLO BOOK, WHOUT ANY MAJOR APPEARANC BY THE AUTHORY GENERAL (SUPERTEAM, YAWN) OR APOLLO PARTICULAR (BORG BLOND TWAT)."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ENNIS APPEARED UNTERTED WRG A GAY CHARACTER WHO HAPPENS TO BE LIVG HAPPILY WH ANOTHER MAN AND RAISG A TEENAGE GIRL. OF URSE, SCE ENNIS IS A GOOD WRER, HE GAVE HIS CHARACTER A BELIEVABLE MOTIVATN BY SHOWG HIM THKG OF HIMSELF AS "NOT A LOVER," "NOT A FATHER" AND "NOT A IEND." MIDNIGHTER HAS ALWAYS BEEN PICTED AS A LONER AT HEART, AS WELL AS SOMETHG OF A PSYCHOPATH. AFTER ALL, HE WAS BUILT TO BE A "KILLG MACHE," WHICH WAS THE TLE OF THAT FIRST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT ALSO SEEMED LIKE AN EASY WAY OUT OF SHOWG HIM HAVG AFFECTN TOWARD ANOTHER MAN, WHICH HE NEVER DO DURG THE SIX ISSU WRTEN BY ENNIS. THAT DON'T MEAN ENNIS TRIED TO -GAY HIM EXACTLY. ONCE AGA, VILLAS SULT MIDNIGHTER WH HOMOPHOBIC MENTS ("LTLE U," "TROER-PILOT" — EVERYBODY KNOWS HE'S GAY, APPARENTLY), BUT WE DO GET A ONE SCENE WHERE THE CHARACTER, TRAVELG TIME, LEARNS THAT THE DISTANT FUTURE SEXUAL ORIENTATN WON'T EXIST ANYMORE AND "EVERYBODY JT … DO EVERYONE," WHICH VIGORAT HIM TO NO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WAS NOT SHOWG HIM WH APOLLO A WAY TO MAKE THE SERI MORE PALATABLE TO A LARGER DIENCE? WAS AN EDORIAL MANDATE OR SIMPLY ENNIS' PREFERENCE? IT'S A CUR ISSUE, PECIALLY SCE EVEN THE SIXTH STALLMENT — WHICH PRENTS A TRAGIC LOVE STORY BETWEEN TWO JAPANE SAMURAIS WHO LOOK VERY MUCH LIKE APOLLO AND MIDNIGHTER — DON'T NTA ANY STANCE OF SAME-SEX AFFECTN. THEY LIE BIS EACH OTHER AT NIGHT BUT DON'T TOUCH OR KISS. MOREOVER, THERE'S THE PROBLEM OF FDAL JAPANE SAMURAIS G WORDS SUCH AS "SODOM" AND GENERALLY BEHAVG LIKE HOMOPHOBIC MIDDLE AG KNIGHTS, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY OUT-OF-CHARACTER FOR PEOPLE OF THAT TIME AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AT LEAST, THGS WEREN'T AS BAD AS DURG MILLAR'S N BACK 2000, WHEN DC EDORIAL CENSORED A KISS BETWEEN MIDNIGHTER AND HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SEVENTH ISSUE OF THE NEW SERI, WRTEN BY BRIAN K. VGHAN (WHO'S ALREADY PROVEN HIS GAY-IENDLS HIS EX MACHA SERI, WHERE A MIXED-RACE GAY MARRIAGE TAK PLACE), BEGS WH A CUTE FULL-PAGE KISS BETWEEN THE TWO MARRIED MEN, TH BREAKG THE NO-KISSG TRACK RERD OF THE SERI SO FAR. BUT EVEN VGHAN FALLS BACK ON G A HOMOPHOBIC VILLA HIS ISSUE. HOMOPHOBIA SEEMS TO BE SHORTHAND FOR "BAD GUY," BUT REEKS OF LAZS OM THE WRERS. AFTER ALL, WE DON'T SEE THE OPPONENTS OF FEMALE CHARACTERS ALWAYS BEHAVG A MISOGYNISTIC WAY. IT WOULD QUICKLY GET BORG AND WOULD RIGHTFULLY RAISE A FEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE JUNE ISSUE OF MIDNIGHTER — THE MOST RECENT — WRTEN BY CHRISTOS GAGE, HAD ABSOLUTELY NO GAY NTENT. AT LEAST BOASTED A NONHOMOPHOBIC OPPONENT, WHICH WAS SOME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT MONTH BRGS ANOTHER SGLE-ISSUE STORY, AND FOLLOWG THAT THE SERI WILL WELE S NEW REGULAR WRER, KEH GIFFEN, A WELL-KNOWN AND RENOWNED WRER AND ARTIST CURRENTLY VOLVED DC'S PANY-WI CROSSOVERS. GIFFEN ISN'T PECIALLY KNOWN FOR WRG GAY-CLIVE ICS, THOUGH HE'S WRTEN A FEW GAY-IENDLY SCEN HIS RECENT HUMORO JTICE LEAGUE MISERI. HE'S CLARED HIS PLAN TO LVE EPER TO MIDNIGHTER'S UNKNOWN PAST, BUT HAS STATED NO TENTN OF VOLVG APOLLO. (DC HAS NOT ANSWERED OUR REQUT FOR AN TERVIEW ON THAT SUBJECT.) IT REMAS TO BE SEEN WHETHER HE'LL WRE A MORE WELL-ROUND CHARACTER THAN MOST OF HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE BLACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MIDNIGHTER WAS ST THE SAME MOULD AS VLENT SUPERHERO LIKE BATMAN (WHO AT LEAST IS SUPPOSED TO NOT KILL ANYONE), MARVEL'S WOLVERE AND THE PUNISHER. INED, MIDNIGHTER IS VERY MUCH LIKE THEM, APART OM THE FACT THAT HE'S UNASHAMEDLY AND OPENLY GAY — AT LEAST THEORY. TO RCE HIS BEG GAY TO A FEW JOK OR JIB, AS GAY-IENDLY AS THEY MIGHT BE TEND, SHOWS A RELUCTANCE (OR AN ABILY) TO WRE A BELIEVABLE GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INSTEAD, THE TELLIGENT TEGRATN OF HIS GAYNS IS A GOAL AT BT SPORADILLY REACHED. NOT SHOWG MIDNIGHTER WH HIS LOVER — OR SOME WAY ACKNOWLEDGG HIS SEXUALY — MAK HIM JT ANOTHER BLACK-CLOTHED VLENT HERO, SOMETHG THAT SUPERHERO ICS DON'T REALLY NEED. THE ORIGALY OF THE CHARACTER SEEMS TO LIE THE BALANCE BETWEEN HIS TOUGH BEHAVR AND HIS TENRNS WH HIS MALE LOVER AND HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WOULD BE NICE IF GIFFEN CID TO SHOW MIDNIGHTER BEG HAPPY WH HIS PARTNER, OR AT LEAST TERACTG AS A UPLE BEYOND A KISS HERE AND THERE (AND WOULD BE NSISTENT WH THE WAY THOSE CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN PORTRAYED). AND GIFFEN ALSO NEEDS TO FD OTHER WAYS TO EMPOWER THE VILLAS THAN BY SIMPLY HAVG THEM SULT MIDNIGHTER WH ANTI-GAY RHETORIC. EVEN IF 'S ALWAYS DONE AS AN EXCE FOR THE ANTIHERO TO KICK THEIR ASS (WHICH, AFTER ALL, IS WHAT MOST REARS WANT TO SEE A MIDNIGHTER IC), 'S A SELECTIVE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE HERO'S SEXUALY THAT RC WHAT ULD BE A PLEX, VIBRANT GAY CHARACTER TO A NFLICTED, NSISTENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OTHER MIDNIGHTER FACTS: {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF MIDNIGHTER AND APOLLO IS LLECTED STORMWATCH: A FER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· ALL THE AUTHORY ICS ARE AVAILABLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· THE FIRST MIDNIGHTER LLECTN, ENTLED KILLG MACHE, WILL BE PUBLISHED BY DC NOVEMBER AND WILL CLU THE SIX GARTH ENNIS-PENNED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ILLTRATNS:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· COVER OF ISSUE #5 OF THE MIDNIGHTER SERI, ART BY CHRIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF MIDNIGHTER AND APOLLO, ART BY BRYAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}· APOLLO AND MIDNIGHTER KISS, OM MIDNIGHTER #7, ART BY DARICK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Circumstanc have twice forced Midnighter, very much agast his will, to team up wh Kev Hawks, a homophobic former-SAS soldier and eponymo protagonist of the Authory.

DC COMICS PH GAY PRI ON CHILDREN WH SAME-SEX SUPERHERO COUPLE ‘MIDNIGHTER AND APOLLO’

The Midnighter is gay and married to Apollo. "The Authory" fluenced Amerin superhero ic books a number of ways, but s greatt impact may be the regular prence of a gay superhero uple. Unlike var characters created before Midnighter and Apollo, who were revealed to be gay years after their troductns, the Authory duo were clearly picted as such through characterizatn.

DC CANCELS "MIDNIGHTER," ONLY MASTREAM COMIC WH GAY LEAD CHARACTER"PEOPLE WERE GIVEN A QUEER IN THAT THEY SERVED, AND THEY NNECTED WH HIM."{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CULTUREBY DAN AVERYAPRIL 8, 2016/5:43 PMBY DAN AVERYAPRIL 8, 2016 / 5:43 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"DC CANCELS \"MIDNIGHTER,\" ONLY MASTREAM COMIC WH GAY LEAD CHARACTER","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-04-08T21:43:14.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-04-08T21:43:14.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"DAN AVERY","ARTICLESECTN":"CULTURE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS DC COMICS READI FOR S PANY-WI "REBIRTH" NEXT MONTH, APPEARS ONE OF OUR FAVORE ICS IS G TO AN END: MIDNIGHTER, WHICH REUNTS THE ADVENTUR OF A GAY VIGILANTE WHO MAK BATMAN LOOK LIKE A PACIFIST, WRAPS WH ISSUE NUMBER 12 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THOUGH MIDNIGHTER IS DC'S ONLY GAY-ONTED TLE, S UNLIKELY HOMOPHOBIA WAS BEHD THE IC'S MISE: IT'S NOTORLY HARD TO LNCH A NEW IC THE DAYS—PECIALLY ONE NOT TIED TO THE SUPERMAN OR BATMAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STEVE ORLANDO, THE BI WRER WHO'S HELMED MIDNIGHTER SCE 'S LNCH, ACTUALLY CLUD A CROSSOVER WH DICK GRAYSON (THE FORMER ROB) THAT WAS FULL OF HOMOEROTIC UNRTON. BUT WASN'T ENOUGH TO GET THE IC'S NUMBERS UP TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AT LEAST MIDNIGHTER GETS A PROPER SENDOFF—RNG WH HIS SUPERHERO EX, APOLLO, TO BATTLE HIS EVIL CREATOR, HENRY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE MIDNIGHTER NEVER FELT PREACHY, LUS TRENT'S SEXUALY WAS ALSO NEVER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"PEOPLE WERE GIVEN A QUEER IN THAT THEY SERVED, AND THEY NNECTED WH HIM," SAID ORLANDO AN TERVIEW WH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ALL THE 'BT OF 2015' LISTS, A GLAAD MEDIA AWARD NOMATN, AND THE PERSONAL MSAG PEOPLE SEND ME MOST OF ALL, ARE THE REAL ACPLISHMENT. THIS IS A BOOK I NEED WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, AND FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE NOW, THE NEXT GENERATN, IS MY GREATT ACPLISHMENT OF ALL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THANKFULLY THIS ISN'T THE LAST WE'LL SEE OF ORLANDO: HE RECENTLY SIGNED AN EXCLIVE NTRACT WH DC AND WILL BEG WRG A NEW SUPERGIRL SERI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS FOR MIDNIGHTER, HIS FUTURE ISN'T QUE SO CLEAR. BUT ORLANDO SISTS "HIS PLACE [ THE DC UNIVERSE] IS LIBLE, UNIQUE, AND UNQUTNABLE—PEOPLE WEREN’T SURE HOW MUCH THERE WAS TO HIM AS A CHARACTER, WHAT SEPARATED HIM OM BATMAN. NOW ANYONE WHO HAS READ THE BOOK WOULD NEVER NFE THE TWO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

In speakg wh a iend I rennected wh over the weekend, hearg his dissatisfactn wh that relatnship stat for the character, his feelg that a lone Midnighter unrcut the character and the book, I revised my own feelgs about gay hero mastream superhero univers and their stat. When "Alpha Flight" #106 was published by Marvel 1992, and Northstar was revealed to be gay, wasn't a big al to me, but I wonred if that was anic to the character, or not.

"MIDNIGHTER" IS THE GAY COMIC BOOK YOU'VE BEEN WAG FOR

No matter what, Northstar beme a symbol, as Marvel's first openly gay ic book character. Renee isn't gay.

DC'S MIDNIGHTER & APOLLO JT MA A BOLD STATEMENT ABOUT MASCULY AND GAY SEX

The scene where she revealed to her superr officer the ary that she was gay h me the cht. I uld never image what that moment is like for any gay person, wh a parent, thory figure, relative, or employer, but that scene munited an impact, to me. Why gay characters get different endgs at different publishers, I have no ia.

I've spoken wh gay creators and fans alike who did not support or like the separatn of Midnighter and Apollo. Alongsi the gay hero of DC Comics whom have e before him. Almost ten years ago, wrer Warren Ellis and artist Bryan Hch created Midnighter, who this past November beme the first gay DC superhero to headle his own standalone seri.

1998) troduced two characters that would soon bee symbols for a generatn of gay ics fans: Apollo and Midnighter. )A year later, as the StormWatch seri morphed to The Authory (wh the Wildstorm imprt now published by DC Comics), the two characters were clud the eponymo group, and over the urse of their 12-issue n, Ellis and Hch gave more and more hts that, unlike Superman and Batman, the two new characters were, ed, more than tertg thg is that the word "gay" wasn't ed at the time.

GAY SUPERHERO APOLLO AND MIDNIGHTER RNE FOR A NEW DC COMICS SERI

It was subtle (which was fely the goal of the wrer, who at first hadn't even told the artist the characters were gay), but very clear. Gay superhero fans fally had an endurg gay uple their wrer Mark Millar took over, and while the gay genie was certaly not put back the bottle, the subtlety quickly evaporated. Millar's n, which lasted about 20 issu (cludg a four-issue miseri), was full of homophobic sults hurled by villas, anal sex jok and rap (of Apollo, and then of his attacker by Midnighter) wh large, tubular objects, a fate rarely, if ever, endured by straight male characters were more or ls rced to their gayns, though they also got married and beme foster parents of a young, superpowered girl — fely a first for mastream superhero ics.

On the other hand, the gay uple is never actually picted cmplg the bed sheets, unlike the straight characters whose sex liv don't have to be Midnighter creators of tert clu Ed Bbaker (story) and Dt Nguyen (art) for their 12-issue The Authory: Revolutn (2005) story, which actually ed the relatnship between the two gay characters as a talyst for the team's dismantlg.

Bbaker clearly unrstood how to e the ep love between the two men, as well as Midnighter's tenncy to Seri, Multiple Problems It was the first time a gay superhero headled his own seri (not untg a 1994 Northstar miseri om Marvel where the character, though officially gay, was pletely sexls), but gay rears were troubled by Ennis' claratn a few months before the start of the seri: "I'll try to mata as a solo book, whout any major appearanc by The Authory general (superteam, yawn) or Apollo particular (borg blond twat). "Ennis appeared unterted wrg a gay character who happens to be livg happily wh another man and raisg a teenage girl. That don't mean Ennis tried to -gay him exactly.

JAGUARS ACH OUT AS GAY A FIRST FOR U.S.-BASED PRO LEAGU

Once aga, villas sult Midnighter wh homophobic ments ("ltle u, " "troer-pilot" — everybody knows he's gay, apparently), but we do get a one scene where the character, travelg time, learns that the distant future sexual orientatn won't exist anymore and "everybody jt … do everyone, " which vigorat him to no not showg him wh Apollo a way to make the seri more palatable to a larger dience?

Moreover, there's the problem of fdal Japane samurais g words such as "sodom" and generally behavg like homophobic Middle Ag knights, which is absolutely out-of-character for people of that time and least, thgs weren't as bad as durg Millar's n back 2000, when DC edorial censored a kiss between Midnighter and his seventh issue of the new seri, wrten by Brian K. Vghan (who's already proven his gay-iendls his Ex Macha seri, where a mixed-race gay marriage tak place), begs wh a cute full-page kiss between the two married men, th breakg the no-kissg track rerd of the seri so far. But even Vghan falls back on g a homophobic villa his issue.

Homophobia seems to be shorthand for "bad guy, " but reeks of lazs om the wrers. It would quickly get borg and would rightfully raise a few June issue of Midnighter — the most recent — wrten by Christos Gage, had absolutely no gay ntent. At least boasted a nonhomophobic opponent, which was some month brgs another sgle-issue story, and followg that the seri will wele s new regular wrer, Keh Giffen, a well-known and renowned wrer and artist currently volved DC's pany-wi crossovers.

Giffen isn't pecially known for wrg gay-clive ics, though he's wrten a few gay-iendly scen his recent humoro Jtice League miseri.

Ined, Midnighter is very much like them, apart om the fact that he's unashamedly and openly gay — at least theory. To rce his beg gay to a few jok or jib, as gay-iendly as they might be tend, shows a reluctance (or an abily) to wre a believable gay character.