What do DC fans like about DC?

[Rebel_Raven]

~snip~

No, they are all out and they are as "gay" as any other character is "straight". Iceman's only been "out" for about half a year, so I don't think they've actually hooked him up with someone just for the sake of it, just yet. Northstar was one of the first openly gay superheros, the leader of Alpha Flight (Canadian Avengers/X-Men basically) and got married in 2012, and it was not something Marvel simply paid lip service to:

Wiccan and Hulkling are members of the Young Avengers and engaged to be married.

Mystique and Destiny first became lovers in the 1920s, were first shown as lovers in a 1982 comic and were publicly outed in 1990 and were actually living together while raising Rogue.

Daken, who is Wolverine's son is very open about his bisexuality and it is extremely common to see him hitting on both male and female supers.

And on and on.

Like I was trying to say, yes, they're out as not straight, but what good is it. really, if the majority of the list basically doesn't exist anymore? Forgotten, underutilized, and basically may never be touched again save for brief appearances, or have their relationship preferences never touched upon again?
Like Mystique and Destiny for instance. Destiny is dead from old age isn't she? Basically gone from the current pages?
Daken's dead and essentially gone, too, isn't he?
I know comicbook characters rarely stay dead, but they can easily be forgotten about, and that's essentially the same thing as staying dead.

While I can agree Iceman needs time to meet someone (even though you've listed a massive amount of prospects for a relationship that could be revitalized and made relevant again), I don't trust Marvel to keep him gay, rather make him "bi" and keep him in a straight relationship for who knows how long. Maybe long enough to let most people forget that he ever came out to begin with.

I'll give you Wiccan, Hulkling, and Northstar though 2012 is a bit too long ago for me, and I'm wondering how relevant of a character Northstar is these days. 3-4 years is more than enough time to fall back into obscurity. I mean yeah, he's the leader of Alpha Flight, a group I liked a long time ago, but what's he done recently? Titles, teams, etc. don't mean much if they aren't used.

I'm not trying to split hairs, or such, I'm essentially looking at the level of relevance the examples you provided have in modern reading, and how well they weave it into the character without necessarily beating us over the head with it. Near as I can remember, Marvel's been kinda poor about that sort of thing. Yeah, they have them, but what have they done recently (A few months, a year max) with it?

 

[mduncan50]

~snip~

No, they are all out and they are as "gay" as any other character is "straight". Iceman's only been "out" for about half a year, so I don't think they've actually hooked him up with someone just for the sake of it, just yet. Northstar was one of the first openly gay superheros, the leader of Alpha Flight (Canadian Avengers/X-Men basically) and got married in 2012, and it was not something Marvel simply paid lip service to:

Wiccan and Hulkling are members of the Young Avengers and engaged to be married.

Mystique and Destiny first became lovers in the 1920s, were first shown as lovers in a 1982 comic and were publicly outed in 1990 and were actually living together while raising Rogue.

Daken, who is Wolverine's son is very open about his bisexuality and it is extremely common to see him hitting on both male and female supers.

And on and on.

Like I was trying to say, yes, they're out as not straight, but what good is it. really, if the majority of the list basically doesn't exist anymore? Forgotten, underutilized, and basically may never be touched again save for brief appearances, or have their relationship preferences never touched upon again?
Like Mystique and Destiny for instance. Destiny is dead from old age isn't she? Basically gone from the current pages?
Daken's dead and essentially gone, too, isn't he?
I know comicbook characters rarely stay dead, but they can easily be forgotten about, and that's essentially the same thing as staying dead.

While I can agree Iceman needs time to meet someone (even though you've listed a massive amount of prospects for a relationship that could be revitalized and made relevant again), I don't trust Marvel to keep him gay, rather make him "bi" and keep him in a straight relationship for who knows how long. Maybe long enough to let most people forget that he ever came out to begin with.

I'll give you Wiccan, Hulkling, and Northstar though 2012 is a bit too long ago for me, and I'm wondering how relevant of a character Northstar is these days. 3-4 years is more than enough time to fall back into obscurity. I mean yeah, he's the leader of Alpha Flight, a group I liked a long time ago, but what's he done recently? Titles, teams, etc. don't mean much if they aren't used.

I'm not trying to split hairs, or such, I'm essentially looking at the level of relevance the examples you provided have in modern reading, and how well they weave it into the character without necessarily beating us over the head with it. Near as I can remember, Marvel's been kinda poor about that sort of thing. Yeah, they have them, but what have they done recently (A few months, a year max) with it?

I'm sorry, but yes you are splitting hairs. I'm not going to give you an up to the moment biography for each and every character I've listed. If you are actually interested, then you can look it up, I'm simply trying to enlighten you that Marvel actually does have a very diverse cast, whereas you thought they didn't.

 

[Rebel_Raven]

~snip~

No, they are all out and they are as "gay" as any other character is "straight". Iceman's only been "out" for about half a year, so I don't think they've actually hooked him up with someone just for the sake of it, just yet. Northstar was one of the first openly gay superheros, the leader of Alpha Flight (Canadian Avengers/X-Men basically) and got married in 2012, and it was not something Marvel simply paid lip service to:

Wiccan and Hulkling are members of the Young Avengers and engaged to be married.

Mystique and Destiny first became lovers in the 1920s, were first shown as lovers in a 1982 comic and were publicly outed in 1990 and were actually living together while raising Rogue.

Daken, who is Wolverine's son is very open about his bisexuality and it is extremely common to see him hitting on both male and female supers.

And on and on.

Like I was trying to say, yes, they're out as not straight, but what good is it. really, if the majority of the list basically doesn't exist anymore? Forgotten, underutilized, and basically may never be touched again save for brief appearances, or have their relationship preferences never touched upon again?
Like Mystique and Destiny for instance. Destiny is dead from old age isn't she? Basically gone from the current pages?
Daken's dead and essentially gone, too, isn't he?
I know comicbook characters rarely stay dead, but they can easily be forgotten about, and that's essentially the same thing as staying dead.

While I can agree Iceman needs time to meet someone (even though you've listed a massive amount of prospects for a relationship that could be revitalized and made relevant again), I don't trust Marvel to keep him gay, rather make him "bi" and keep him in a straight relationship for who knows how long. Maybe long enough to let most people forget that he ever came out to begin with.

I'll give you Wiccan, Hulkling, and Northstar though 2012 is a bit too long ago for me, and I'm wondering how relevant of a character Northstar is these days. 3-4 years is more than enough time to fall back into obscurity. I mean yeah, he's the leader of Alpha Flight, a group I liked a long time ago, but what's he done recently? Titles, teams, etc. don't mean much if they aren't used.

I'm not trying to split hairs, or such, I'm essentially looking at the level of relevance the examples you provided have in modern reading, and how well they weave it into the character without necessarily beating us over the head with it. Near as I can remember, Marvel's been kinda poor about that sort of thing. Yeah, they have them, but what have they done recently (A few months, a year max) with it?

I'm sorry, but yes you are splitting hairs. I'm not going to give you an up to the moment biography for each and every character I've listed. If you are actually interested, then you can look it up, I'm simply trying to enlighten you that Marvel actually does have a very diverse cast, whereas you thought they didn't.

I certainly don't expect up to date bios on every character you've listed, or even most of them, but you did have some in mind whch is about all I'd ever want considering the vast comic universe.

Truthfully, I knew about most everyone you listed, and did some research a while ago, and I try to keep on top of comic news. Your list is way better formatted than any other I've seen, too!
Problem is, mind you this is my opinion, representation kinda requires being relevant more or less today. Within a few months, or a year at most. If you're not there to be counted, if you're not there to be seen/heard, if you're not in the public eye, then it doesn't mater much when looking at current representation. Thrown away characters, thrown away relationships, and so forth don't mean much in current media.
A "what have yo done for me lately" mentality is kinda required unless we're looking at a history of LGBT characters which I'm certainly not. I wish I made it clearer that I was looking for something pretty recent out of Marvel instead of a list of their history.

 

[JimB]

I just want to get a positive point of view to maybe appreciate a comic empire that ultimately allowed for main rival Marvel to exist in the first place.

To me, Marvel is playing to their strengths as a company when they write stories about deeply characterized human beings in fantastical situations, struggling with the complexities of a life that doesn't stop when you take off the cape because the cape never really comes off; it may not be a millstone around your neck, but it affects every part of your life. In that sense, Marvel tells very realistic stories about realistic people; disclaimer about individual quality of individual stories goes here.

DC, on the other hand, specializes in mythology.

DC characters are characters, absolutely, but to me they're much more interesting when viewed as primal personifications of some abstract principle of human existence. Superman getting his feelings hurt because Lois Lane never notices Clark Kent is a good story with a lot of potential, but what thrills me about the character is when he is the embodiment of hope, all in bright primary colors to catch a flaming jet as it falls from the sky or gently putting his arms around a suicidal girl whose foot just stepped off the ledge. What thrills me is when he's a validation of the desperate belief that things might somehow turn out okay not because of the caprice of a god who isn't paying attention and who might be orchestrating your suffering as part of some Grand Design, but because of a man who cares enough to do the right thing.

Green Lantern isn't just a struggling artist everyman with a magic ring (Kyle Rayner is the best Green Lantern and I will fight you with knives if you argue), he's an embodiment of the willpower and imagination that lifted humankind off the ground, put us in the stars, and may one day have us taking justice to the lawless frontiers out there in the dark. The Flash isn't just some prankster balancing crimefighting with his job and his marriage; he's the man who has literally all the time in the world, time to accomplish anything he chooses, and who chooses to be kind and decent. Wonder Woman isn't just some fish out of water; she's an embodiment of truth whose understanding of that truth is to be gentle rather than harsh, because pessimism and cynicism and self-doubt are lies too no matter how plausible they sound.

Sometimes--less often these days, but sometimes--I'll pick up a DC book, and I'll think: Holy shit, I feel like an ancient Greek hearing a priest tell a new legend of Zeus in the temple. Pick up Nu52 Aquaman #1 and look at that art of a king who stands in the street garbed in golden armor that shines like the sun, who takes a bullet to the face and whose only response is well-bred disdain for the little scratch inflicted, who pays for a meal at a diner with a doubloon and a spoken command that the waiter put her children through college; look at that and if you don't feel something stirring in your heart, then I just don't know what to tell you.

 

[PapaGreg096]

I doubt I'm the typical fan here, but I've seen a lot of LGBT characters fairy prominent in DC vs who now in Marvel?

Secret Six might not be well known but they're assuredly one of my favorite teams in Comics. A group of anti-villains trying to do right by each other. Several Lesbians, and a gender fluid to say the least.

Can't forget Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy who so far have probably been in the longest running not straight relationship in comic book history. >.> Probably because they're not trying to get married, or something like that.
It doesn't hurt that they teamed with Catwoman for the Gotham City Sirens run. The fact that they're typically villains yet try to get out of being villains, and show depth of character beyond most villains who're only there to cause trouble is extremely refreshing.

I've enjoyed many appearances of Power girl. Yeah, she has the figure, but she's kinda more relate-able than superman, or supergirl.

Justice League International was a fun series. It helped along in my fandom of Fire and Ice.

It just seems like DC has more off the wall characters that don't always play serious, or straight.

GAY
Iceman
Northstar
Wiccan
Hulkling
Angela
Karma
Anole
Lucy in the Sky
Rictor
Stryker
Morph
Pod
Graymalkin
Martyr
Victoria Hand
Superia
Union Jack
Bling!
Bloodstone
Destroyer
The current Giant Man
Many more

BISEXUAL
Psylocke
Mystique
Daken
Hercules
Loki
Destiny
Electro
Moondragon
Prodigy
Ripcord
Cluster
Doop
Harpy
Yukio
Skein
Swamp Queen
Telekinian
Spymaster
Sugar Kane

PANSEXUAL
Deadpool
Loop
Lightspeed

TRANSGENDERED
Sera
Jessie Drake
Tong
Karolina Dean

For the sake of briefness I only listed about a third of the gay characters, and limited the lists to the main 616 universe.

Karolina Dean and Lucy in the sky are the same person also Karolina isn't trans thats her girlfriend Xavin

 

[mduncan50]

I doubt I'm the typical fan here, but I've seen a lot of LGBT characters fairy prominent in DC vs who now in Marvel?

Secret Six might not be well known but they're assuredly one of my favorite teams in Comics. A group of anti-villains trying to do right by each other. Several Lesbians, and a gender fluid to say the least.

Can't forget Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy who so far have probably been in the longest running not straight relationship in comic book history. >.> Probably because they're not trying to get married, or something like that.
It doesn't hurt that they teamed with Catwoman for the Gotham City Sirens run. The fact that they're typically villains yet try to get out of being villains, and show depth of character beyond most villains who're only there to cause trouble is extremely refreshing.

I've enjoyed many appearances of Power girl. Yeah, she has the figure, but she's kinda more relate-able than superman, or supergirl.

Justice League International was a fun series. It helped along in my fandom of Fire and Ice.

It just seems like DC has more off the wall characters that don't always play serious, or straight.

GAY
Iceman
Northstar
Wiccan
Hulkling
Angela
Karma
Anole
Lucy in the Sky
Rictor
Stryker
Morph
Pod
Graymalkin
Martyr
Victoria Hand
Superia
Union Jack
Bling!
Bloodstone
Destroyer
The current Giant Man
Many more

BISEXUAL
Psylocke
Mystique
Daken
Hercules
Loki
Destiny
Electro
Moondragon
Prodigy
Ripcord
Cluster
Doop
Harpy
Yukio
Skein
Swamp Queen
Telekinian
Spymaster
Sugar Kane

PANSEXUAL
Deadpool
Loop
Lightspeed

TRANSGENDERED
Sera
Jessie Drake
Tong
Karolina Dean

For the sake of briefness I only listed about a third of the gay characters, and limited the lists to the main 616 universe.

Karolina Dean and Lucy in the sky are the same person also Karolina isn't trans thats her girlfriend Xavin

You're right, my bad. Was late at night and I was tired. Thank you for correcting it.

 

[Souplex]

I doubt I'm the typical fan here, but I've seen a lot of LGBT characters fairy prominent in DC vs who now in Marvel?

Secret Six might not be well known but they're assuredly one of my favorite teams in Comics. A group of anti-villains trying to do right by each other. Several Lesbians, and a gender fluid to say the least.

Can't forget Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy who so far have probably been in the longest running not straight relationship in comic book history. >.> Probably because they're not trying to get married, or something like that.
It doesn't hurt that they teamed with Catwoman for the Gotham City Sirens run. The fact that they're typically villains yet try to get out of being villains, and show depth of character beyond most villains who're only there to cause trouble is extremely refreshing.

I've enjoyed many appearances of Power girl. Yeah, she has the figure, but she's kinda more relate-able than superman, or supergirl.

Justice League International was a fun series. It helped along in my fandom of Fire and Ice.

It just seems like DC has more off the wall characters that don't always play serious, or straight.

GAY
Iceman
Northstar
Wiccan
Hulkling
Angela
Karma
Anole
Lucy in the Sky
Rictor
Stryker
Morph
Pod
Graymalkin
Martyr
Victoria Hand
Superia
Union Jack
Bling!
Bloodstone
Destroyer
The current Giant Man
Many more

BISEXUAL
Psylocke
Mystique
Daken
Hercules
Loki
Destiny
Electro
Moondragon
Prodigy
Ripcord
Cluster
Doop
Harpy
Yukio
Skein
Swamp Queen
Telekinian
Spymaster
Sugar Kane

PANSEXUAL
Deadpool
Loop
Lightspeed

TRANSGENDERED
Sera
Jessie Drake
Tong
Karolina Dean

For the sake of briefness I only listed about a third of the gay characters, and limited the lists to the main 616 universe.

You'll have to pardon me for moving the goalposts (as I'm no doubt going to be accused of)/clarifying my "who now?" question.
How much of that list has been used much, or recently? When was the last time they had a major appearance where their relationship mattered at all as opposed to dropped, and forgotten about?

I practically forgot Deadpool was pansexual as he married a female demon (I guess that counts?), and had many relationships with women, as well as death who represented herself as a woman (does that count, too?).

Psylocke was in the recent xmen movie, sure, but I doubt she had any relationships, and I'm wondering when the last time she did in a comic.

Iceman writers have probably swept him coming out under the rug by now? I think he was a spurt of marvel being interested in being inclusive for all of a few issues while DC seems to stick with it a bit more.

I'll be the first to admit I'm not rich enough, or have enough free time to read up on every comic. I don't know it all.

It's nice that characters come out, and all, but if people can quickly forget about the character and/or their relationship interests what's the point? If they don't live the life, so to speak, then it doesn't do much for representation, IMO. Sure Deadpool is pansexual, but if that never comes up again, the argument kinda weakens. Sure Mystique had one lesbian relationship that I know of, but has he had any more relationships that weren't straight?
How many of those characters have been deemed unusable for some reason and thus haven't made any major appearances for years, or decades?
I know I'm splitting hairs, or something like that, but a long list of characters doesn't mean as much if they never get utilized, and/or if they never exhibit relationships other than straight ever again, then it... what's the way I'm looking to put this?
It loses momentum, and impact. It's not much of any representation if examples are so easily forgotten.

I probably worded it pretty clumsily.

If we include what I know of the pre-Jeph Loeb Ultimate universe, then we can add Colossus to the gay column, and and Jessica Drew to the Trans column. (Jesica drew is an interesting case, where they're a clone of Peter Parker with a brain-scan of his mind. I'm not sure how Jess actually identifies or if there's any dysphoria issues, but they go by Jessica, and literally have a man's mind in a female body.

 

[mduncan50]

~snip~

No, they are all out and they are as "gay" as any other character is "straight". Iceman's only been "out" for about half a year, so I don't think they've actually hooked him up with someone just for the sake of it, just yet. Northstar was one of the first openly gay superheros, the leader of Alpha Flight (Canadian Avengers/X-Men basically) and got married in 2012, and it was not something Marvel simply paid lip service to:

Wiccan and Hulkling are members of the Young Avengers and engaged to be married.

Mystique and Destiny first became lovers in the 1920s, were first shown as lovers in a 1982 comic and were publicly outed in 1990 and were actually living together while raising Rogue.

Daken, who is Wolverine's son is very open about his bisexuality and it is extremely common to see him hitting on both male and female supers.

And on and on.

Like I was trying to say, yes, they're out as not straight, but what good is it. really, if the majority of the list basically doesn't exist anymore? Forgotten, underutilized, and basically may never be touched again save for brief appearances, or have their relationship preferences never touched upon again?
Like Mystique and Destiny for instance. Destiny is dead from old age isn't she? Basically gone from the current pages?
Daken's dead and essentially gone, too, isn't he?
I know comicbook characters rarely stay dead, but they can easily be forgotten about, and that's essentially the same thing as staying dead.

While I can agree Iceman needs time to meet someone (even though you've listed a massive amount of prospects for a relationship that could be revitalized and made relevant again), I don't trust Marvel to keep him gay, rather make him "bi" and keep him in a straight relationship for who knows how long. Maybe long enough to let most people forget that he ever came out to begin with.

I'll give you Wiccan, Hulkling, and Northstar though 2012 is a bit too long ago for me, and I'm wondering how relevant of a character Northstar is these days. 3-4 years is more than enough time to fall back into obscurity. I mean yeah, he's the leader of Alpha Flight, a group I liked a long time ago, but what's he done recently? Titles, teams, etc. don't mean much if they aren't used.

I'm not trying to split hairs, or such, I'm essentially looking at the level of relevance the examples you provided have in modern reading, and how well they weave it into the character without necessarily beating us over the head with it. Near as I can remember, Marvel's been kinda poor about that sort of thing. Yeah, they have them, but what have they done recently (A few months, a year max) with it?

I'm sorry, but yes you are splitting hairs. I'm not going to give you an up to the moment biography for each and every character I've listed. If you are actually interested, then you can look it up, I'm simply trying to enlighten you that Marvel actually does have a very diverse cast, whereas you thought they didn't.

I certainly don't expect up to date bios on every character you've listed, or even most of them, but you did have some in mind whch is about all I'd ever want considering the vast comic universe.

Truthfully, I knew about most everyone you listed, and did some research a while ago, and I try to keep on top of comic news. Your list is way better formatted than any other I've seen, too!
Problem is, mind you this is my opinion, representation kinda requires being relevant more or less today. Within a few months, or a year at most. If you're not there to be counted, if you're not there to be seen/heard, if you're not in the public eye, then it doesn't mater much when looking at current representation. Thrown away characters, thrown away relationships, and so forth don't mean much in current media.
A "what have yo done for me lately" mentality is kinda required unless we're looking at a history of LGBT characters which I'm certainly not. I wish I made it clearer that I was looking for something pretty recent out of Marvel instead of a list of their history.

K, well without having to look into it too much: Deadpool is everywhere, and as pansexual as ever. Wiccan and Hulkling are an engaged couple and members of the New Avengers ongoing series. Not sure what Sera and Angela are up to currently, but they had an arc late last year where Angela gave up her throne to live with Sera. Frenchie (who I forgot to add to the list) in Moon Knight's best friend in his book. Giant-Man is currently partnered (non-sexually) with Ant Man in his ongoing series. On the X-Men Iceman, Bling!, and Anole are currently active in the comics.

As for everyone's current love life (other than the ones stated), don't know, don't care. I really don't see how current dating situation has anything to do with how good a character is, regardless of preference. Just because someone is single doen't make them any less gay.

If we include what I know of the pre-Jeph Loeb Ultimate universe, then we can add Colossus to the gay column, and and Jessica Drew to the Trans column. (Jesica drew is an interesting case, where they're a clone of Peter Parker with a brain-scan of his mind. I'm not sure how Jess actually identifies or if there's any dysphoria issues, but they go by Jessica, and literally have a man's mind in a female body.

Well hell if we're doing alternate universes you can add Wolverine, Beast, Black Cat, Justin Hammer, Mr Fantastic, Hank Pym, Jarvis, Jerry Hogarth, Daredevil, and on and on and on.

 

[Rebel_Raven]

~snip~

No, they are all out and they are as "gay" as any other character is "straight". Iceman's only been "out" for about half a year, so I don't think they've actually hooked him up with someone just for the sake of it, just yet. Northstar was one of the first openly gay superheros, the leader of Alpha Flight (Canadian Avengers/X-Men basically) and got married in 2012, and it was not something Marvel simply paid lip service to:

Wiccan and Hulkling are members of the Young Avengers and engaged to be married.

Mystique and Destiny first became lovers in the 1920s, were first shown as lovers in a 1982 comic and were publicly outed in 1990 and were actually living together while raising Rogue.

Daken, who is Wolverine's son is very open about his bisexuality and it is extremely common to see him hitting on both male and female supers.

And on and on.

Like I was trying to say, yes, they're out as not straight, but what good is it. really, if the majority of the list basically doesn't exist anymore? Forgotten, underutilized, and basically may never be touched again save for brief appearances, or have their relationship preferences never touched upon again?
Like Mystique and Destiny for instance. Destiny is dead from old age isn't she? Basically gone from the current pages?
Daken's dead and essentially gone, too, isn't he?
I know comicbook characters rarely stay dead, but they can easily be forgotten about, and that's essentially the same thing as staying dead.

While I can agree Iceman needs time to meet someone (even though you've listed a massive amount of prospects for a relationship that could be revitalized and made relevant again), I don't trust Marvel to keep him gay, rather make him "bi" and keep him in a straight relationship for who knows how long. Maybe long enough to let most people forget that he ever came out to begin with.

I'll give you Wiccan, Hulkling, and Northstar though 2012 is a bit too long ago for me, and I'm wondering how relevant of a character Northstar is these days. 3-4 years is more than enough time to fall back into obscurity. I mean yeah, he's the leader of Alpha Flight, a group I liked a long time ago, but what's he done recently? Titles, teams, etc. don't mean much if they aren't used.

I'm not trying to split hairs, or such, I'm essentially looking at the level of relevance the examples you provided have in modern reading, and how well they weave it into the character without necessarily beating us over the head with it. Near as I can remember, Marvel's been kinda poor about that sort of thing. Yeah, they have them, but what have they done recently (A few months, a year max) with it?

I'm sorry, but yes you are splitting hairs. I'm not going to give you an up to the moment biography for each and every character I've listed. If you are actually interested, then you can look it up, I'm simply trying to enlighten you that Marvel actually does have a very diverse cast, whereas you thought they didn't.

I certainly don't expect up to date bios on every character you've listed, or even most of them, but you did have some in mind whch is about all I'd ever want considering the vast comic universe.

Truthfully, I knew about most everyone you listed, and did some research a while ago, and I try to keep on top of comic news. Your list is way better formatted than any other I've seen, too!
Problem is, mind you this is my opinion, representation kinda requires being relevant more or less today. Within a few months, or a year at most. If you're not there to be counted, if you're not there to be seen/heard, if you're not in the public eye, then it doesn't mater much when looking at current representation. Thrown away characters, thrown away relationships, and so forth don't mean much in current media.
A "what have yo done for me lately" mentality is kinda required unless we're looking at a history of LGBT characters which I'm certainly not. I wish I made it clearer that I was looking for something pretty recent out of Marvel instead of a list of their history.

K, well without having to look into it too much: Deadpool is everywhere, and as pansexual as ever. Wiccan and Hulkling are an engaged couple and members of the New Avengers ongoing series. Not sure what Sera and Angela are up to currently, but they had an arc late last year where Angela gave up her throne to live with Sera. Frenchie (who I forgot to add to the list) in Moon Knight's best friend in his book. Giant-Man is currently partnered (non-sexually) with Ant Man in his ongoing series. On the X-Men Iceman, Bling!, and Anole are currently active in the comics.

As for everyone's current love life (other than the ones stated), don't know, don't care. I really don't see how current dating situation has anything to do with how good a character is, regardless of preference. Just because someone is single doen't make them any less gay.

If we include what I know of the pre-Jeph Loeb Ultimate universe, then we can add Colossus to the gay column, and and Jessica Drew to the Trans column. (Jesica drew is an interesting case, where they're a clone of Peter Parker with a brain-scan of his mind. I'm not sure how Jess actually identifies or if there's any dysphoria issues, but they go by Jessica, and literally have a man's mind in a female body.

Well hell if we're doing alternate universes you can add Wolverine, Beast, Black Cat, Justin Hammer, Mr Fantastic, Hank Pym, Jarvis, Jerry Hogarth, Daredevil, and on and on and on.

~snip~

No, they are all out and they are as "gay" as any other character is "straight". Iceman's only been "out" for about half a year, so I don't think they've actually hooked him up with someone just for the sake of it, just yet. Northstar was one of the first openly gay superheros, the leader of Alpha Flight (Canadian Avengers/X-Men basically) and got married in 2012, and it was not something Marvel simply paid lip service to:

Wiccan and Hulkling are members of the Young Avengers and engaged to be married.

Mystique and Destiny first became lovers in the 1920s, were first shown as lovers in a 1982 comic and were publicly outed in 1990 and were actually living together while raising Rogue.

Daken, who is Wolverine's son is very open about his bisexuality and it is extremely common to see him hitting on both male and female supers.

And on and on.

Like I was trying to say, yes, they're out as not straight, but what good is it. really, if the majority of the list basically doesn't exist anymore? Forgotten, underutilized, and basically may never be touched again save for brief appearances, or have their relationship preferences never touched upon again?
Like Mystique and Destiny for instance. Destiny is dead from old age isn't she? Basically gone from the current pages?
Daken's dead and essentially gone, too, isn't he?
I know comicbook characters rarely stay dead, but they can easily be forgotten about, and that's essentially the same thing as staying dead.

While I can agree Iceman needs time to meet someone (even though you've listed a massive amount of prospects for a relationship that could be revitalized and made relevant again), I don't trust Marvel to keep him gay, rather make him "bi" and keep him in a straight relationship for who knows how long. Maybe long enough to let most people forget that he ever came out to begin with.

I'll give you Wiccan, Hulkling, and Northstar though 2012 is a bit too long ago for me, and I'm wondering how relevant of a character Northstar is these days. 3-4 years is more than enough time to fall back into obscurity. I mean yeah, he's the leader of Alpha Flight, a group I liked a long time ago, but what's he done recently? Titles, teams, etc. don't mean much if they aren't used.

I'm not trying to split hairs, or such, I'm essentially looking at the level of relevance the examples you provided have in modern reading, and how well they weave it into the character without necessarily beating us over the head with it. Near as I can remember, Marvel's been kinda poor about that sort of thing. Yeah, they have them, but what have they done recently (A few months, a year max) with it?

I'm sorry, but yes you are splitting hairs. I'm not going to give you an up to the moment biography for each and every character I've listed. If you are actually interested, then you can look it up, I'm simply trying to enlighten you that Marvel actually does have a very diverse cast, whereas you thought they didn't.

I certainly don't expect up to date bios on every character you've listed, or even most of them, but you did have some in mind whch is about all I'd ever want considering the vast comic universe.

Truthfully, I knew about most everyone you listed, and did some research a while ago, and I try to keep on top of comic news. Your list is way better formatted than any other I've seen, too!
Problem is, mind you this is my opinion, representation kinda requires being relevant more or less today. Within a few months, or a year at most. If you're not there to be counted, if you're not there to be seen/heard, if you're not in the public eye, then it doesn't mater much when looking at current representation. Thrown away characters, thrown away relationships, and so forth don't mean much in current media.
A "what have yo done for me lately" mentality is kinda required unless we're looking at a history of LGBT characters which I'm certainly not. I wish I made it clearer that I was looking for something pretty recent out of Marvel instead of a list of their history.

K, well without having to look into it too much: Deadpool is everywhere, and as pansexual as ever. Wiccan and Hulkling are an engaged couple and members of the New Avengers ongoing series. Not sure what Sera and Angela are up to currently, but they had an arc late last year where Angela gave up her throne to live with Sera. Frenchie (who I forgot to add to the list) in Moon Knight's best friend in his book. Giant-Man is currently partnered (non-sexually) with Ant Man in his ongoing series. On the X-Men Iceman, Bling!, and Anole are currently active in the comics.

As for everyone's current love life (other than the ones stated), don't know, don't care. I really don't see how current dating situation has anything to do with how good a character is, regardless of preference. Just because someone is single doen't make them any less gay.

If we include what I know of the pre-Jeph Loeb Ultimate universe, then we can add Colossus to the gay column, and and Jessica Drew to the Trans column. (Jesica drew is an interesting case, where they're a clone of Peter Parker with a brain-scan of his mind. I'm not sure how Jess actually identifies or if there's any dysphoria issues, but they go by Jessica, and literally have a man's mind in a female body.

Well hell if we're doing alternate universes you can add Wolverine, Beast, Black Cat, Justin Hammer, Mr Fantastic, Hank Pym, Jarvis, Jerry Hogarth, Daredevil, and on and on and on.

Okay, so Marvel has more active LGBT characters than I figured. I knew they existed, but not really if they were active. Kudos to them.

Remember when Iceman came out, and people were ticked that he'd come out as gay when he wasn't before? Lets just say I don't trust the industry to not do that in reverse with other characters.
Like I said, if a "gay" character is never written as gay, it kinda loses impact. I won't say they stop being LGBT if they never have another LGBT relationshp ever again, but they may as well be straight if all they have are straight relationships.
I mean if deadpool were to do straight relationships long enough that people forget he's really pansexual, then he doesn't have that normalizing presence that might help get over real pansexuals when all is said and done.

I find romantic moments now and then to be kinda refreshing from pure-t-action. And it's extra nice when they aren't all straight. Has nothing to do with the characters, has more to do with the plot.
In fact none of this really has anything to do with how good a character is, in fact I don't like every LGBT character by default. I like lots of characters across the spectrum.

It's about representation when all is said and done. Keeping them normal in the fictional world. Keeping them common. Well done, and somewhat common it can depict LGBT as good people, and set a first impression, or make people wonder if the comic books are right.
It's comforting to know that not all LGBT characters are reflected as villans, fops, and generally joke characters anymore.
I'm not saying shoehorn them in, or make some checklist, but it'd be nice if the comics industry were willing, and able to be inclusive like that. I'm not saying it isn't, entirely, but some writers are pitching LGBT ideas prepared to fight for them.
Sometimes they get pleasantly surprised. Gail Simone was interested in making Alysia trans, and was ready to make an argument for it. Dan DiDio okayed it without a fight, and wanted it to be honest, and not exploitative. Which helps me like DC.
http://www.autostraddle.com/the-complete-history-of-transgender-characters-in-american-comic-books-316126/2/

Anyhow, I'm taking your word for it, and have my "who now?" question answered.

 

[JimB]

I really don't see how current dating situation has anything to do with how good a character is, regardless of preference. Just because someone is single doesn't make them any less gay.

I could have missed it, but I don't think anyone argued goodness (whatever it even means to be "good" in this context) is defined by active relationships. I believe the point is that unless a character's sexual orientation is actually portrayed, just calling him gay while having him be chaste and single comes off as disingenuous and patronizing.

 

[mduncan50]

I really don't see how current dating situation has anything to do with how good a character is, regardless of preference. Just because someone is single doesn't make them any less gay.

I could have missed it, but I don't think anyone argued goodness (whatever it even means to be "good" in this context) is defined by active relationships. I believe the point is that unless a character's sexual orientation is actually portrayed, just calling him gay while having him be chaste and single comes off as disingenuous and patronizing.

I understand what you're saying, but I guess for me personally, I simply don't care what someone's sexuality is so long as they are good characters, and that throwing any "representative" character into a relationship at all times just to prove their sexuality is silly. I've been reading Marvel and DC since the Silver Age books, and if there is one thing that is prevalent through the history of both companies is the constant shoehorning in of love interests, whether they work or not, in an attempt to try to bring another dimension to a hero, usually at the expense of that same hero's growth or characterization.

 

[JimB]

I think throwing any "representative" character into a relationship at all times just to prove their sexuality is silly.

I think establishing that there's a loaded rifle on the mantle during the first chapter of a story and never using that rifle to shoot someone is silly. If you're not going to use the character's orientation (and I am not limiting this to the vague realm of "serving the plot," as others do; establishing a character's quirks or viewpoints or simply that the world he lives in does indeed contain gay people are all also perfectly fine uses of homosexuality as a character trait), then don't try to score brownie points with the LGBT community by telling us Heroman is gay but never actually representing him that way.

 

[mduncan50]

I think throwing any "representative" character into a relationship at all times just to prove their sexuality is silly.

I think establishing that there's a loaded rifle on the mantle during the first chapter of a story and never using that rifle to shoot someone is silly. If you're not going to use the character's orientation (and I am not limiting this to the vague realm of "serving the plot," as others do; establishing a character's quirks or viewpoints or simply that the world he lives in does indeed contain gay people are all also perfectly fine uses of homosexuality as a character trait), then don't try to score brownie points with the LGBT community by telling us Heroman is gay but never actually representing him that way.

Sure the gun needs to be used eventually, but have the gun constantly the the character's hand aiming it at everyone that walks by doesn't serve the story any better.

 

[JimB]

The gun needs to be used eventually, but having the gun constantly in the character's hand aiming it at everyone that walks by doesn't serve the story any better.

Uh, okay, but just to be clear, I never argued that. I mean, that's ridiculous. In twenty-two pages a month, they don't even manage to use every single one of a character's powers in every issue put out.

 

[mduncan50]

The gun needs to be used eventually, but having the gun constantly in the character's hand aiming it at everyone that walks by doesn't serve the story any better.

Uh, okay, but just to be clear, I never argued that. I mean, that's ridiculous. In twenty-two pages a month, they don't even manage to use every single one of a character's powers in every issue put out.

All I say is I want them to be treated the same as any other character. Sure do a romance every once in a while if you have a good idea and it fits the character, but if romance becomes the main focus it takes away from other aspects of the story, and if it is being done simply because a character is LGBT then THAT is pandering. These aren't romance books, they're super-heroic action books. If it's a romance arc or miniseries, then cool, but I don't see a good reason that sexuality should become THE defining trait for any character. If that's the most interesting thing you can say about a character, then you've made a bad character.

 

[JimB]

All I say is I want them to be treated the same as any other character.

As long as you apply this principle with equal vigor to the creators of a given comic and the reading audience who treat gay characters as taboo while heterosexual ones are fine, then sure, have at it. If you're holding only comic creators to that standard while making no effort to make sure the attitude you want them to take is supportable in the current environment, then I think that's very unreasonable.

These aren't romance books, they're super-heroic action books.

I can't think of anything to say to this.

 

[mduncan50]

All I say is I want them to be treated the same as any other character.

As long as you apply this principle with equal vigor to the creators of a given comic and the reading audience who treat gay characters as taboo while heterosexual ones are fine, then sure, have at it. If you're holding only comic creators to that standard while making no effort to make sure the attitude you want them to take is supportable in the current environment, then I think that's very unreasonable.

Wait I'm supposed to be controlling the readers now? I may have misunderstood what you're saying, but by treating LGBT characters the same as everyone else it by default begins to normalize them in the eyes of readers, especially in the eyes of young readers that have no interest in shoehorned romance of either stripe.

 

[JimB]

All I say is I want them to be treated the same as any other character.

As long as you apply this principle with equal vigor to the creators of a given comic and the reading audience who treat gay characters as taboo while heterosexual ones are fine, then sure, have at it. If you're holding only comic creators to that standard while making no effort to make sure the attitude you want them to take is supportable in the current environment, then I think that's very unreasonable.

Wait, I'm supposed to be controlling the readers now?

Uh...I guess? I mean, I'm going off your words here. If wanting characters to be treated the same translates to controlling how comic creators do their stuff, then yes, I think you have chosen for yourself the burden of controlling the minds of the audience too, because otherwise you're dooming the creators to fail.

I may have misunderstood what you're saying, but by treating LGBT characters the same as everyone else it by default begins to normalize them in the eyes of readers.

I disagree. People are so full of hate they can't even read what's written without twisting and warping it to say something it doesn't say in order to justify the hatred the reader already decided to feel before he ever read the damn thing. For example, I can't tell you how many times I've had to go page by page through the new run of Thor and the Mighty Thor to rebut the plainly false claims about what characters say or do in that book.

 

[Jux]

I always figured people liked DC because they were masochists. And I mean DC as a whole here, I can't think of anyone that doesn't like Batman.

 

[mduncan50]

I always figured people liked DC because they were masochists. And I mean DC as a whole here, I can't think of anyone that doesn't like Batman.

You sure you're not thinking of Image?