Kirath MEST4: Critical investigation draft

“I am not a lover, I am not a father. I am not a friend. I am what I was bred to be. And therein lies the problem[1]”

With the arrival of Midnighter, has the era of the LBGT superhero finally arrived? If so, why?

Comic books were first popularized in the United States during the 1930s, this was due to world war 2 as they were being used as propaganda[2]. Comic books have been used as a front for an ideology of society put there by elites. This essay will be investigating in the belief they have been trying to push a picture onto the world of how it should be. For example, X-men was inspired by Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, this was due to representing the mutants as "coloured people" as mutants in X-men are outcasts just as "coloured people" were at that time in history. This gave the idea that comic books are trying to push a message that being different is a good thing and differences should be embraced. This leads to the next point as to comic books have been trying to push LGBT messages to their audience and that it has finally been pushed with Midnighter the homosexual superhero created in 1998. Midnighter has his own comic book series which has become popular from start of 2015 which have created him as the icon of LGBT superheroes setting the scene for more LGBT superheroes to emerge in society such as (Scott Alan) Green Lantern and be accepted among fans. With this happening it has pushed comic book companies like DC and Marvel to embrace these heroes and push them onto society. This would also represent that in comic books it has been rare to see a LGBT superhero because of society not being open to them due to an ideology among them. However, because of gay marriage being legalized in 2015 and an increase in trans genders being applauded such as Caitlyn Jenner's[3] recent sex change, readers have acknowledged this and it has become a thing that is now accepted by society and comic fans alike.

In modern day Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender have gone a long way, however we have crimes still happening for example: ‘In Detroit, on the morning of 5 October, an African American gay man known simply as Melvin, 30, was found shot dead on a street in the Palmer Park area. At the time of his death, Melvin was wearing women’s clothing.’[4] This incident represents society are not all ready for the change of LGBT and gives the representation that the arrival of Midnighter is that we need heroes in our lives that fight for the rights that people can be different gender and love the same sex. This article quote I got from the Guardian was not the only one as for another example LGBT youth and transgender women of colour face all-too-common family rejection and vastly disproportionate rates of violence, homelessness and discrimination in employment, housing, and education,” this statement is continued in the article but it represents that the arrival of Midnighter has not done a massive change as Local officials told the Guardian no arrests had been made in either case and it was too early to confirm if hate was a factor. In Philadelphia, police confirmed they were investigating whether gender identity played a role in the murder. The negative impact of LGBT right now in society is not large in every country but there are still other positive views that it is good for example the Andrew Garfield who played Spiderman 2012-2014[5] would love the idea for there to be a pansexual Spiderman and no one having comments[6]. The view of Andrew Garfield is that any superhero to have a movie and not be questioned about their sexuality and what impact on a movie. Earlier that year, a set visit report on ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ was published in Entertainment Weekly, which quoted Garfield as saying, "Why can’t we discover that Peter is exploring his sexuality?" even pointing out the "charismatic and talented" Michael B. Jordan could join in for some "interracial bisexuality." To the applause of many at Comic-Con, Garfield addressed the question by saying, “Spider-Man stands for everybody: black, white, Asian, gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual.” This has been the appeal of superheroes since the early generation of geeks dropped dimes for the latest issue of Action comics, but when it comes to the movie iterations, many minorities are left out. Garfield, while valid in his statements, even backtracked a bit, saying, “It wouldn’t make sense if, in the next movie, I was suddenly with a black guy.”

While major strides are being made in the 'Arrow' universe -- the hit CW series featured a lesbian character through Katrina Law's Nyssa Al Ghul, while 'The Flash' spinoff series will feature two gay characters in the first season alone, on top of openly gay actor Wentworth Miller portraying DC villain Captain Cold -- there is still no identifiable LGBT character taking the reins for a major role, or even a major recurring or supporting role. When the opportunity for this came with NBC's 'Constantine[7],' producers of the series stated at a recent Television Critics Association panel that they had "no immediate plans" to address the Hellblazer's bisexuality, despite John Constantine's [8]depiction as such in the original comics. Executive producer Daniel Cerone even acknowledged the character's background, though seemingly suggested his sexual orientation did not matter in regards to Constantine as an individual[9]. This was from an interview in comic con in San Diego where they have interviews with the actors of the superhero movies and the fans ask questions to the actors and a man asked the question and he wanted to know if the actor felt any pressure in making his stance on LGBT equality known, referring to previous comments made by the actor.

From this comment made it highlighted that all the new LGBT characters are coming up onto the comic book tele vision series Arrow and Flash[10]. Mr. Terrific (Echo Kellum) is the new superhero being added who is the first black gay superhero to be shown on television. This is a big step because we are getting the first in society of an LGBT cast as in the past Arrow Television series they had a lesbian superhero. For example, there was a report the actor playing Mr. Terrific, “We’re often asked when we’re going to add another LGBT character to the show and our version of Mr Terrific happens to be gay for anyone that cares about that kind of stuff,” Guggenheim revealed in a statement. Mr. Terrific also won’t be the only character on the show in the LGBT community. The show already features openly bisexual Sara Lance/Canary (Caity Lotz) and the two are now reportedly TV’s only LGBT superheroes[11].

This links to the investigation of how Midnighter and the arrival of LGBT has changed the era for superheroes in comic books and portrayed them on television in modern day. This gives the power that audience are being being understanding about this and will want the narrative of a character. As the world becomes increasingly accepting of LGBT communities and individuals, so too have comic book universes expanded their representation of previously overlooked identities. With different writers taking control of even some of the most iconic superheroes[12]. This is creating showing all the characters over time have changed sexuality for example Ice man, Constantine and Batwoman with her Trans gender girlfriend. This is why the arrival of Midnighter has done this because his comic book series started in 1998 and it has become popular in 2014 over 15 years a message to all of the audience which took time as it represents that it took time for society to adapt.

Midnighter comics are the same feeling that audiences get when they read a normal comic book and they react as what any comic book would have in narrative. I caught comments which represented audience who are interested in Midnighter and gave their view on what they thought. 'The comic character you've been waiting for who was created almost 20 years ago, and has always been gay and murdery. In addition, warren Ellis probably most famous for the stormwatch runs the Authority, Planetary. Most people don't seem to know he had a hell blazer run. But I'm a nerd ' This is about how Midnighter started in the 90's and now is big as it took time with society wasn't okay with it. Its hard for people to make these comic books because of the money and also because of fans going against this but it does show that they're okay with and that they love this comic book series.
'WTF?! Nonononono, Midnighter what are you doing, how DARE you split up with Apollo! Goddammit DC, the fuck are you doing?!' It shows the drama and how a fan can be into this Comic books as it took around 20 years to become big. It shows that people are still interested by narrative and structure of comic books. Midnighter does this as he is a dark character and is very alternative stereotype of a Homosexual man making it still feel normal but it is not a problem as its just a superhero still[13]. These comments are supposing to represent what Midnighter mean to them as they show the emotion of a homosexual superhero and it gives the feeling that society is adapting. There lot of LGBT superhero heroes[14], each hero has gone through different stages and have been paused because of society not being ready or it has not interested the audience. This is an example of what superheroes that are LGBT but are not really well known.

From gathered evidence, there has been a compared investigation as from essay from Superheroes, Superpowers, and Sexuality[15]. “'Superheroes have a strong influence in our society, and as such we should look at the messages that they represent. To this end, I have examined the sexuality and gender roles that superheroes suggest through their appearance, the way it is about, the way that they talk, the distribution of superpowers, and their relationships. I surveyed 63 Willamette University and Sky view Junior High students about their favourite superheroes and their reasons for liking that particular hero to begin my analysis, and branched from there to texts written by the companies who own the superheroes and other anthropologists who have examined the role of heroes in our society.' This is about the investigation of society and how they think about superheroes in Willamette University by when the writer did the investigation, she wanted to get results and her results. Her results was because of the clothes that superhero wears or the character that has played the role of the superhero so for example: “Sometimes the reason stated wasn’t even of the character itself, but of the actor which played the hero, such as Christian Bale, Batman in “Batman Begins,” or Antonio Banderas, Zorro in “The Mask of Zorro.” This goes with my critical investigation that with the arrival of Midnighter the era of superheroes do not matter by sexuality that society have adapted to the change. We have example where actors would say it is fine for there to be a pan sexual Spiderman and for them, where society are excepting to have LGBT superheroes in television series. The only difference we are looking for now is for LGBT superheroes to be in big budget movies and society to have the same reaction to any superhero movie.

At the start, they did push LGBT by giving innuendos such as the biggest Batman comic book made called the Killing Joke[16] made in 1988. The hint was that Batman is only a hero because of the Joker and the Joker is a villain because of the Batman. This represents because Batman has never killed the Joker and has said that he wanted help him over many times but the Joker has killed to many people. This compares to Midnighter as the relationship[17] he has with Apollo as to the relationship now but in the killing joke. This presented in a different way for example this would be the way they talk at the end of the comic book saying that they have to do this and that it has to end . The killing joke is the connection which shows them together and gives the representation of man and man having so much respect and love between each other but shown in a different friendship kind of way. This was 1988 so they could not show the connection they have. From my research, I also learnt that Batman needs Joker and that Joker needs Batman. This makes Batman and The Joker are sworn enemies, the opposite nemeses have been at each other’s throats across various media since they first encountered each other in Batman #1 in April of 1940. Their rivalry is destined to continue for many years to come, if not indefinitely. “As I picked up a copy of the new Batman: The Killing Joke 20th anniversary hardcover, I flicked open the first page and sliced my finger on its edge. The paper cut seemed fitting, a physical manifestation of the violence contained within the book[18].”

In conclusion, Midnighter is the sexiest comic book male character even though for his sexuality. “He’s rugged, he’s macho, and his entire wardrobe consists of black leather. Remember when Midnighter was happily married and did not have a spike on his chin? Someone needs to slap the walls of the DC universe to bring this sexy back[19].” Midnighter has presented himself in many comics and has had many comics to prove it as for his new one with other new heroes from DC[20]. Overall Midnighter is the hero that has changed the era and so are other heroes in the industry that have gave society the chance to adapt over time and it will get better where we can have equal amount of superheroes presented on screen being LGBT. Overall from more evidence gathered of LGBT in society has been shown that there is a difference from the entertainment view as to television shows like True Blood “True Blood, vampires have had to fight for recognition and citizenship in much the same way as gay males and lesbians have.[21]” This television series shows how society is and it presents the fight that is still going on for full equality around the world.

Bibliography

Work cited:

Websites and blogs:

(Unknown) Midnighter, Available at: http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Midnighter_Vol_1_1

(Unknown) Constantine, Available at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3489184/?ref_=nv_sr_1

(Unknown) LGBT Characters, Available at: http://www.comicvine.com/profile/bumpyboo/lists/lgbt-characters/41243/

(Unknown) The Amazing Spider-Man, Available at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0948470/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 (Accessed: 3rd July 2012).

Tommy DePaoli (2015) These LGBT Character Charts Are the Perfect Guide to Out and Proud Superheroes, Available at: http://moviepilot.com/posts/3409017?lt_source=external,manua

ANDREA ROMANO AND BOB AL-GREENE (2015) '14 LGBT superheroes you need to know about', , (), pp. [Online]. Available at: http://mashable.com/2015/07/19/lgbt-comic-book-superheroes/#leJtmPG.iiqU

Andrew Wheeler (2013) ComicsAlliance Presents The 50 Sexiest Male Characters in Comics Read More: ComicsAlliance Presents The 50 Sexiest Male Characters in Comics | http://comicsalliance.com/comics-sexiest-male-characters/?trackback=tsmclip, Available at: http://comicsalliance.com/comics-sexiest-male-characters/ (Accessed: 2013).

GEORGE GENE GUSTINES () Graphic Books Best Seller List,Available at: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/graphic-books-best-seller-list-may-16/?_r=1

Graeme McMillan () When Superheroes Fail To Save The World,Available at: http://io9.gizmodo.com/5037854/when-superheroes-fail-to-save-the-world (Accessed: 2008).

Josh Wilding (2015) Andrew Garfield still campaigning for a "Pansexual" spiderman on the big screen, Available at: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=12488

Articles:

Greg Beato (2013) How the Government Turned Comic Books Into Propaganda, : https://reason.com/archives/2013/02/28/how-the-government-made-use-of-comic-book

Ira Madison III (2015) '“Midnighter” Is The Gay Comic Book You’ve Been Waiting For', , (), pp. [Online]. Available at: http://www.buzzfeed.com/iramadison/midnighter-is-the-gay-comic-book-youve-been-waiting-for#.njw6lAzlE

Linda Ge (2015) '‘Arrow’ Star Echo Kellum on How His Character Becomes DC Superhero Mr. Terrific - https://www.thewrap.com/arrow-echo-kellum-curtis-holt-dc-superhero-mr-terrific/#sthash.rSo8Jm6P.dpuf'

Nicholas Robinson (2015) '‘Arrow’ casts its 1st Black gay superhero', , (), pp. [Online]. Available at: http://rollingout.com/2015/08/04/arrow-casts-first-black-gay-superhero/

Nick Romano (2014) 'Flame Off: Will Gay Superheroes Ever Make the Leap to Movies and TV? Available at: http: //screencrush.com/gay-superheroes-movies-tv

SHINAN GOVANI (2015) Now it’s Bruce’s turn: Spotlight shifts to Jenner with TV interview, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/celebrity-news/now-its-bruces-turn-spotlight-shifts-to-jenner-with-tv-interview/article24063853/

Van Jensen (2008) Review: ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ Deluxe Edition, Available at: http://www.comicmix.com/2008/03/29/review-batman-the-killing-joke-deluxe-edition (Accessed: 2008).

Zach Stafford (2015) 'Two LGBT murders within 24 hours leaves community in 'state of emergency'', The Guardian, http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/11/lgbt-murders-within-24-hours-philadelphia-detroit

Books and magazines

Grahame, Jenny (2007) Media Magazine 31, Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0i5diL3vrEiOW5rZ2FvZlVtZ2M/view

Rebecca A. Demarest (2010) 'Superheroes, Superpowers, and Sexuality', , 2(10) Available at: http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/312/superheroes-superpowers-and-sexuality

Rob Lendrum (2005) Queering super-manhood. [Online]. Available at: http://www.robertlendrum.com/RobertLendrum-QueeringSuper-Manhood.pdf (Accessed: 2005).

Work consulted:

Books and Essays:

Austen Chuck. The Uncanny X-Men 414-432. New York: Marvel Comics, 2002-3.

David Morley and Kuan-Hsing Chen. New York: Comedia, 1996.

Lobdell, Scott. Alpha Flight 1.106. New York: Marvel Comics, 1992. McAllister, Matthew P."Comic Books and AIDS." Journal of Popular Culture 26.2 (1992).

Medhurst, Andy. "Batman, Deviance and Camp." The Many Lives of Batman: Critical Approaches to a Superhero and his Media.Eds. Roberta E. Pearson and William Uricchio. New York: Routledge, 1991.

Morrison, Robbie. The Authority 2,1-7. La Jolla: Wildstorm Productions, 2003.

Nyberg, Amy Kiste. Seal of Approval: The history of the Comics Code.

Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1998.

Ross, Andrew. "Uses of Camp." No Respect: Intellectuals and Popular Culture.

New York: Routledge, 1989.

Wertham, Frederic.Seduction of the Innocent. Port Washington: Kennikat Press, 1972 (originally 1953).

The Psychology of Superheroes: An Unauthorized Exploration “Where No X-Man Has Gone Before!” Mutant Superheroes and the Cultural Politics of Popular Fantasy in Postwar America, American Literature June 2011 83(2): 355-388;

Grahame, Jenny, Media magazine 32

Grahame, Jenny, Media magazine 53

Grahame, Jenny, Media magazine 38

Grahame, Jenny, Media magazine 44

Gordon, I. (2007). Film and comic books. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.

Rebecca A. Demarest (2010) Superheroes, Superpowers, and Sexuality

French, M. (2014). The surrounding storm: Constructing queerness through superhero fandom and socio-historical LGBT movements.

Mathew French, the Surrounding Storm: Constructing Queerness through Superhero Fandom and Socio-Historical LGBT Movements

LGBT Themes in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror

The new mutants: superheroes and the radical imagination of American comics - Ramzi Fawaz - New York: New York University Press, 2015.

Trans Representations and Superhero Comics: A Conversation with Mey Rude, J. Skyler, and Rachel Stevens Suzanne Scott, Ellen Kirkpatrick

Websites:

Alexander Stevenson () Ten Best Gay and Bisexual Science Fiction Characters, Available at: http://www.newnownext.com/ten-best-gay-and-bisexual-science-fiction-characters/ (Accessed: 2008).

Charles Pulliam-Moore () DC’s Midnighter is more than just a gay Batman, Available at: http://fusion.net/story/145302/dcs-new-midnighter/ (Accessed: 2015).