Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Spectral Spectacle

Back when gay topics and characters weren’t as discussed or visible in mainstream comic books, there was the thought-provoking Spectre # 45.

“Acts of God,” a tale devoted to the often-controversial subject, had many of the hard arguments covered. The Spectre, God’s agent of justice, was shown as someone who isn’t exactly informed on the subject. His human host, Jim Corrigan, was revealed to be homophobic, someone who misinterpreted God as a being who “doesn’t like queers.”

The Spectre asked Archangel Michael, “Are there homosexuals in heaven?” Michael responded: “The question is irrelevant. Sexuality is a matter for the body and thus is confined to the mortal sphere. It has no place here.” The angel added, “It is not what Humanity considers good or evil. Humanity should not presume to judge for God. They invariably get it wrong.”

The issue also had Spectre fighting a magically powered, hate-mongering priest, a bigot who believed that crimes against gay people were justified. Jim Corrigan and the Spectre, by the story’s end, realize that they need to be more open-minded about gay people and their rights.

Spectre # 45, it’s always a good, riveting read.

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