Ethnicity and Homosexuality in Comics

[svzurich]

I too love the Legion.  I tracked down the two Legion sourcebooks for the DC Heroes 3rd Edition RPG just to have more background lore at my fingertips to better understand the chaos.  Being able to run around as a member of the team didn't hurt either.  I am most partial to the Legion from 1986-1989.  I also love the second Legion's early issues thanks to Jeff Moy's art. 

[Navarre]

Does anyone know who the first known homosexual Marvel and DC characters were? I'm curious as to who it was, the era in which it occurred, and how it was presented & received.

For that matter, I wonder the same thing about ethnic characters? Who were the first Marvel and DC characters who were not Caucasian who were major characters and not just sidekicks?

I'm not enough of a comics historian to answer those questions.

[svzurich]

I remember when Northstar of Alpha Flight came out, it was a huge deal.  Not sure if he was the first for Marvel, but I believe he was the first to come out.

Not sure on DC's side.  Element Lad came out in the early 1990s.  It might be him to be the first out hero, but doubt he was the first implied one.

[Navarre]

If I were to be asked the question on Final Jeopary or something, my answers would be the same as yours.

Northstar was the first gay hero I remember in Marvel and likewise with Element Lad and DC.

As far as ethnic characters, I guess it depends on the race.

The Falcon and Luke Cage have both been around a long time. They seemed either semi-sidekicks or semi-comic relief for a while though.

Luke was always running around yelling "Sweet Christmas" and such. Ya dig, bro?

Shang-Chi comes to mind for Asian characters who were taken seriously.

[svzurich]

Don't forget Blade.  He was minor for the 1970s, but his success in the 1990s gave Marvel breathing room.

Yeah, Power Man is the only one standing out as a lead man from Marvel.  For DC, I am not sure, would it be Mr. Terrific?  He was in Checkmate and JSA but I am not sure who came before him.  I don't see Black Lightning as a major character.

[Navarre]

I think Black Lightning may have come before most of those people listed but, as you say, I'm not sure he was a major player.

The new Mr. Terrific is black but not the original. And the new Mr. Terrific hasn't been around that long.

Honestly, I think Tyroc may have been one of the first black characters by DC who was taken seriously. As for characters in our own time period, I'm not sure.

The Falcon debuted about 3 years before Luke Cage. Wiki cites the Falcon as being the first mainstream African-American in comics (but who knows with wikipedia?).

Even if he debuted first, I only remember Falcon at the beginning as a guy who teamed up with Captain America. However, Luke Cage debuted in his own title at the very start.

So which one we choose to be the first black representative for Marvel depends on the criteria I guess. But, either way, we are looking at 1969-1972. Tyroc didn't debut until 1976. (Black Lightning in 1977)

So, as far as I know, I think we have to give the nod to either Falcon or Luke Cage. That's great with me because I love both characters.

Even though both were originally written as angry ex-cons with "black" lingo, it was at least a start. Since then the characters have progressed, reflecting both the change in the times as maybe even contributing to it, at least for comic readers.

I always found it unnatural to have any prejudiced thoughts as a young comic reader. There is to much diversity in comics. We are able to see all sides from our limited omniscient perspective.

If one can accept Skrulls and Kree and all of that, why would one have a problem with a fellow human just because of skin color?

I think (and hope) the same is true with homosexuality. Marvel's mutants have taught us nothing if not tolerance (should read: universal acceptance). So Northstar being gay doesn't phase me any more than Beast being blue and furry.

Homosexuality is more accepted than it ever has been, though many prejudices remain. The same is true with ethnicity.

I would like to see a bit more focus on some of the other ethnicity that still receive a lot of prejudice. At this point in our time, characters from the Middle East would be a good place to start.

[svzurich]

I used to love Power Man/Iron Fist and Ghost Rider when I was little.  Also needed my Superman and Amethyst fix.  It didn't dawn on me when I was little that Power Man was black, he was just a cool man who beat up bad guys.  The innocence of children is amazing.

[Navarre]

It would be good if everyone failed to notice skin color. Although it's natural to notice difference, it isn't natural to have hatred or prejudice because of it. That's learned.

I too loved the Power Man & Iron Fist title. Fighting Chemistro. Trying to get Heroes For Hire off of the ground. All that good stuff.

I have the first issue where PM & IF met Daredevil. Fun times.

[The Mighty King Cobra]

I think Black Lightning may have come before most of those people listed but, as you say, I'm not sure he was a major player.

Black Lightning headlined his own book as of 1977, DC's first Black character to do so.  He was a major player, but cycled in and out of public view for a very long time.

I believe T'Challa the Black Panther is Marvel's first major Black hero... 

[Navarre]

I think Black Lightning may have come before most of those people listed but, as you say, I'm not sure he was a major player.

Black Lightning headlined his own book as of 1977, DC's first Black character to do so.  He was a major player, but cycled in and out of public view for a very long time.

I believe T'Challa the Black Panther is Marvel's first major Black hero... 

I'm not too up on Black Lightning. I didn't even know he has his own book. I'm sure you're right.

... er... Black Panther. ... How did I forget about Black Panther?

Lord, I'm going senile. In this entire discussion I never once thought of him.   

Thanks for adding that.

[svzurich]

I too forgot about T'Challa.  I didn't realize he had been around that long.

[Navarre]

1966, according to wikipedia. That definitely gives him the nod.

If we weren't such racists we would have thought of the African prince. lol

I wonder how a gay male black character would be received?

[svzurich]

Only one way to find out.  Let's license Rupaul and make a comic based on him!

[uglyhooker]

Isn't there a lesbian relationship in the Runaways?? I’m behind a few months but last I remember there was.

[Navarre]

Karolina Dean of the Runaways is a lesbian.

Lesbian characters are generally well-accepted by readers. Probably because, by definition, it involves girl-girl action.

Gay males are less accepted. It does seem to becoming a bit more prominent though.

But it's like Claire's kissing scene on Heroes. It's featured in the preview. It's featured on the commercials. It's a featured video on the Heroes web site. You can even go to the web site and watch the extended play of the kiss from multiple angles.

.... Wait! Come back!! I'm not done posting yet!!   

But if this seemingly unrelated part of the plot had to do with a gay male kiss I bet it wouldn't be getting such a favorable spotlight. In fact, I bet it wouldn't happen at all.

So even in the realm of homosexuality there are layers of societal bias based on gender. That's interesting.

This is why I was wondering what would be said if you mixed the black male character with the homosexual aspect. I bet everyone would be offended all the way around.

All that being said, I watched Claire's kiss about 3 times this morning.