Marvel character Northstar was revealed as gay 17 years ago, in Alpha Flight # 106. Of course, in comic book time, it could have happened just a few years ago. The issue was decently scripted by writer Scott Lobdell; the storytelling was just hampered by the artist, who aped the styles of Rob Liefeld and Jim Lee (well, it was 1992). It spoke sensitively of AIDS and homosexuality issues, and it confirmed what some fans knew all along: Jean-Paul Beaubier, a.k.a. Northstar, is gay.
I particularly like what he said in the page where he admitted it:
“Do not presume to lecture me on the hardships homosexuals must bear. No one knows them better than I. For while I am not inclined to discuss my sexuality with people for whom it is none of their business--I am gay!”
I also like what editor Bobbie Chase wrote in reaction to a letter writer who wasn’t keen on having Northstar outed in the comic book:
“You look up to lesbian and gay heroes everyday--you just don’t realize that they’re gay. But does it really matter? If someone risks their life to save another, is the act any less heroic because of whom that someone loves? As a fan of the mutant titles, you should realize that it’s better to judge a person by what they do than who they are--whether that’s Homo sapiens superior or homosexual.”
Years later, Northstar became a member of the X-Men and a teacher at Charles Xavier’s school. Eventually, a number of Marvel characters were revealed as gay or bisexual as well, including Karma, Anole, Mystique, Destiny, Wiccan, Hulkling and others. There were single issue-stories and arcs that focused on Northstar, who was later killed and resurrected.
Nothing’s been happening with the “regular universe” version of the character lately, which is sad, because there are good, possibly controversial stories about him that can be told.
2 comments:
What I don't like are stories that reveal a character to be gay just for shock value, or retconning stuff and revealing so-and-so to be gay just to generate some buzz. Like in the recent Moon Knight title, where his sidekick Frenchie was reveled to be gay, but in previous characterizations of the character he was quite the ladies' man.
Granted, John Byrne showed girls going ga-ga over Northstar back in the day, and he seemed to like the attention, but that was it. Nothing in the past (that I know of) contradicted the fact that he was gay all this time.
I read the Frenchie story. Yes, usually, when established characters are retconned and revealed as gay or whatever, it can be disappointing. In Frenchie's case, I'm not sure if he was given enough characterization prior to the outing. Maybe he didn't have enough history, I don't know. It might be the writer's way of exploiting the lack of information on the character. Still, gay people are known to have belated sexual "awakenings" too.
I understand what you're saying, though. I felt that "Rawhide Kid" being "outed" was gimmicky.
Northstar, I think Byrne hinted at it way back in the early AF issues. Guardian mentioned that Northstar had female fans and wasn't too interested in them.
Post a Comment