BETCH Alert: Billy the Vampire Slayer

Now, I don't think it's a far cry to say that Buffy has a strong following in the queer community. The messages of empowerment, overcoming oppression, and accepting one's full self all resonate deeply with the experience of queer kids. On top of that Buffy was a pioneer in inclusion of openly queer characters with Willow, Tara, Andrew, and Kennedy (and eventually Buffy herself in the comics). Now, with the help of the ever amazing and frequent Whedon-collaborator Jane Esponson (credits include Buffy, Battlestar Galactica, Torchwood, and Husbands), the very first gay male slayer is being introduced to the buffyverse.

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SuperQueeros! for March 14th, 2012

Ultimate Colossus is back!!!! I'm hoping this is going to be an all new Children's Crusade, with a kiss between Colossus and Northstar at the end! CUUUUTE!!

Ultimate Comics X-Men #9

After catching us up with the Ultimate X team last issue, Ultimate Comics X-Men takes us to Camp Angel, the concentration camp that houses Storm and every gay's boyfriend, Colossus! From the cover I'm guessing "prison break" is the theme of the issue, and I am so there!

Batwoman #7

The gyre winds deeper as our heroine faces down a pack of monsters led by "Falchion". Plus, the rest of the awesome cast of this book get screwed more too! Plus, check out Amy Reeder's art on interiors: she's killin' it!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9: Freefall #7

Abortion. Crap. BtVS is defo bringing the realness in this season, which for me is a welcome change from last season's Michael-Bay-spolsion. Plus her roommates become a lil more relevant!

Daken: Dark Wolverine #22

The second to last issue! It's father vs son as Daken takes his fight to NYC and Wolverine. With a death sentence hanging above him will Daken leave a lasting mark on the Marvel U? Or will his sound and fury signify nuthin', bub?

Superqueeros! for February 8th, 2012

Sorry this is so late, guys! I'm getting ready to move so I've been preoccupied with those details! But this is a huge week!

Kevin Keller #1

AWESOME! Kevin Keller's continuing series officially starts here, meaning from here on out you can get amonthly dose of Keller! The only downside I can think of is that the style section with Veronica and Kevin may be gone... That was adorable! Thankfully, even if there is no style section, this issue promises to keep the adorbs rolling in: Kevin is class president, he's been published in the newspaper, AND he's never been on a date! Which means in issue number one we get date number one, with all its cute little awkward moments. And according to the solicit this going to be one date CHOCK FULL of awkward moments! #worstdateever

Batwoman #6

The new story arc "To Drown the World" gives us a new villain, Maro, and the same awesome cast of misfit peacekeepers careening through life. Amy Reeder's on art this issue (with help from Richard Friend), so definitely pick it up to see the second official take on the art of the Batwoman. I've heard a lot of good things about Reeder myself, but I'm very excited to see exactly how her Batwoman work feels!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9: Freefall #6

Robin Wood (the hot, season 7 principal of Sunnydale High AND son-of-a-Slayer) is back! Also, I forgot that Buffy lives in San Francisco now... With the X-men and the Scooby Gang in the Greater Bay Area it really must be the (metaphorically) gayest city on Earth!

Daken: Dark Wolverine #21

It's the beginning of the end for Daken as he sets out to once and for all settle his score with dear old daddy. With only two more issues left after this one are we about to see the death of one of Marvel's most innovative characters or his rebirth into a villain free of the burden of his father's legacy? Personally I'm hoping for option three: blood, guts, and angst!

SuperQueeros! for January 11th, 2012

A plethora of classic queer-inclusive titles this week, plus I just want to note that, though he's not in the main cast atm, Anole is over at the Westchester school making all sorts of cameos in Wolverine and the X-men, and issue #6 is out Wednesday. You know, in case you were jones-ing for some Victor. ;)

Batwoman #5

The last issue in the first arc! With her allies either ostracized or hospitalized and enemies hot on her tail, will Kate be able to foil the Weeping Woman or will the water witch wrench up Kate's dark past and seal the fate of our intrepid heroine???

Daken: Dark Wolverine #19

Karolina Dean + Daken Akihro. Awesome. Looks like there's one loose end that our favorite runaways and our favorite sociopath have in common. And they're going to have to team up to tie it up!

New Avengers #20

New Avengers vs Dark Avengers! Will Victoria's true colors finally be revealed? #thisteasersponsoredbyCyndiLauper

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9: Freefall #5

Severin: sorted! Willow: back on team Buffy! So what's next? INTROSPECTION!

X-Factor#230

So Madrox is bouncing between dimensions. So who's going to lead X-Factor while the bossman's on vacation? All signs point to Havok and Polaris!

SuperQueeros! for December 14th, 2011

Batwoman #4

Firebird has taken to the streets, Kate's alienated everyone in her life, and the child-napping water-witch is still on the loose! Things are really not looking good for this book's heroine, but the book is still as good looking as ever! #buyit

Avengers Academy #23

As noted in the post below this title is (semi-)newly queer-tastic! Plus X-23 is joining this issue! Wouldn't it be weird if she were joining as staff? She's almost there, if you disregard the raging angst. Anyway! Julie Power and Striker! #Doublequeeros!

(Veronica #210 Veronica Presents) Kevin Keller #4

It's the last Kevin Keller! Well, the last one before his continuing series in February. But it's a momentous occasion: like Kurt on Glee, Kevin Keller is running for class president! Will Veronica's scheming echo the disastrous effects of Rachel's awkward efforts to elect her gbf, or will Kevin rise above adversity and claim the presidency? #plainfun

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9: Freefall #4

The new cast members start snooping in this issue (finally!). With Buffy in peril and the Scoobies ignoring her, hopefully the newbies will put the stash of stakes and the night-roaming together and come to the aid of their rogue slayer-roommate!

The New Avengers #19

Avengers vs. Dark Avengers!!! But whose side is Victoria Hand really on????

SuperQueeros! for November 9th, 2011

Batwoman #3

Betrayed by her father, training her cousin in heroics, dodging the unmasking efforts of her new girlfriend, unwittingly being hunted by a mysterious agent, and working to solve the supernatural kidnapping case in front of her, Batwoman is facing enemies from every angle, all while being haunted by the idea that her sister might still be alive. This issue marks the halfway point for this story arc, the last arc planned for the original Rucka/Williams run back in Detective Comics. It's sure to be good and it's sure to start getting ugly, so be sure pick up the hottest book on the stands* today!

(*That statistic is based only on the fact that both Jason and I love this book. Also because J. H. Williams III is AMAZING.)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 9: Freefall #3

A boy slayer?!?!?!?! What is going on???? This book is getting crazy, what with the uncertain new status quo in a magic-less world, both in terms of mystical rules and the lives of our hapless Scoobies! How is Dawn and Xander's relationship progressing? What does Willow do all day? And how is the new guy slayer turning vamps back into the (dead) people they were before they turned?

New Avengers #18

V. Hand is sure to make an appearance as Normie Osborne gets the new Dark Avengers together. But will she be with him or against him? And with someone as embedded as thoroughly as she is, which side is she truly playing for? Does she even care???

Hack/Slash #10

This cover + the solicit has me thinking this issue is more Tarot, Witch of the Black Rose than Karolina Dean, Superqueero. But if you like ladies showin' some skin, this is probs a really good buy!

SuperQueeros! for October 12th, 2011

Deluge! Five awesome titles this week!! I literally cannot believe how awesome your reading is going to be tomorrow!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #2

Now that introductions are out of the way, Whedon starts in on the first arc. Buffy's gonna be a sorta private dick, a la Batman, and her buds are gonna be... chillin'? Schemin'? It's a little unclear from the solicit, but whatever it is I bet it won't last long!

Batwoman #2

Romance heating up (but not with Renee!!!!!), villains still at large (both Alice and this water witch) - this is the material mythologies are made of! Hop onto 2011's hottest comic before it leaves you behind! #whyisntDCpayingme?

Alpha Flight #5

Alpha Flight is facing of against the brain-washed dark dopplegangers! This is my favourite type of story, and with Canadian Thanksgiving yesterday I think we can all thank the Canada for giving us such bad-as superheroes duking it out north of the border!

Daken: Dark Wolverine #15

We find out who the Claws Killer is! Wouldn't it be weird if it were Moon Knight all along? Or that blonde detective girl!!! She is super obsessed with Daken, and he sorta needs an arch-nemesis who's NOT related to him or involved in his rearing... #onewaytofindout

Veronica #209 (Veronica Presents Kevin Keller #3)

...And finally the next chapter in the Kevin Keller epic sees Kevin dealing with his stage fright. A queer who doesn't like to be on stage?! What the hoo-hey Dan Parent?!!!?! #smashingstereotypes

Scarlet Betch Episode 32

Hey betches!

We're back! In this week's issue Jason and Anthony review the latest in queer comic book news, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "The Last Gleaming Part III" and Batwoman #0

We also have a ton of shout outs in this episode to from the many colored X-men ranch (New Mutants, Uncanny, Legacy) to Alpha Flight's long awaited return to Canada's great white north.

Let us know what you think! Plus, any comics you think we missed in our coverage let us know! Send us a tweet @ScarletBetch or by email at scarletbetch@gmail.com

Scarlet Betch Episode 29

Hey betches!

Scarlet Betch is back at it again, keeping you updated on the latest in comic book news and reviews. Thankfully we dodged any technical difficulties and we're slowly getting a handle on this whole vlogging bit. Jason and Anthony give shout outs to Bruce Wayne - The Road Home: Batgirl, Archie Comics' Veronica 202, among others and talk in depth about this month's Wonder Woman and her confrontation with the Colonel, all things Anole in X-men Legacy and X-men: To Serve & Protect, and this month's Buffy, The Last Gleaming Part III.

Let us know what you think! Plus, any comics you think we missed in our coverage let us know! Send us a tweet @ScarletBetch or by email at scarletbetch@gmail.com

SuperQueeros! for November 3rd, 2010

If Halloween is "Gay Christmas" than this Wednesday is is GayGeek Boxing Day. Check out all the superqueeros this week!

X-Men: To Serve and Protect #1

In the heroic age the X-men are... cops? Vigilantes? It's a little unclear and while the title of this limited series implies the former, the preview of THE ANOLE STORY implies the latter. That's right: Anole + Rockslide, perhaps the only openly gay/straight bromance, are hitting the streets of San Fran to, well, serve and protect. But their style is less good cop, bad cop and more Leonardo and Casey Jones. Which actually makes this story MORE AWESOME. #pickoftheweek

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #39

It's the middle of the end and, if the cover is a spoiler, it looks like Joss may be going for the end-of-season main-cast-death. It appears that Dawn will be in mortal danger so... is he going for a positive or negative emotional effect? J/k, I love Dawn! But what are your thoughts? Think the Key is finally going to be put to good use? Would you miss Dawn if she were gone? Or is the cover to the right the answer to your every prayer?

The Authority #28

"Sarah Rainmaker will astonish". Okay, that was part of the solicit for this comic, so I think we all know what we need to do this week: #BuyThisComic. Also, space aliens, other characters, blah, blah, vampire emergency, blah, RAINMAKER. #SoExcited!!!!!!!!!

Secret Six #27

The girls are getting the best stories this week! Scandal gets to go head to head with Bane, her (unwanted?) surrogate father figure!!! Talk about character- AND action-driven plotting! Gail is certainly bringing her A game to this story arc: just look at the COVER! Don't miss out!

House of Mystery #31

The solicit for this issue says that the aftermath of the witches' war will be revealed, so Tursig might make an appearance. It's meant to be a stand-alone issue, though, so I'm not holding my breath.

Buffy Teaser Cover PWNS Twilight

Dark Horse recently released a cover of the final issue of Buffy Season 8 and it once again pokes fun at our favorite vampire fandom: Twilight. I really shouldn't pick on the twi-tards, cuz they're really just far too easy targets. It's like making a furry joke.. it's no fun to shoot at something that won't move. Behold:

Angel Moving to Dark Horse

This news came out a few days ago, so apologies for the late pick up. Turns out our favorite brooding LA vampire, Angel, will be moving over from IDW to Dark Horse to join with sister title Buffy. The announcement came a bit unexpectedly as Dark Horse evidently pre-empted itself by including a mention of it in its "Horsepower" column. Newsarama writes:

IDW's Angel ongoing series starts its final arc with November's #39, which sees both new co-writers in David Tischman and Mariah Huehner, and the return of a familiar Angel enemy, interdimensional law firm Wolfram & Hart. The six-issue arc is meant to transition directly to where Dark Horse Comics will pick things up in late 2011.

According to Allie in Dark Horse's statement, the return of Angeland his supporting cast is "necessary" to Buffy< and Angel creator Joss Whedon's plans for the upcoming Buffy the Vampire SlayerSeason 9 series, not entirely surprising given the key role Angel has played in the currently unfolding Season 8 comics. No specific plans for a new Angel-starring series from Dark Horse were detailed at this time.

This is exciting news for Buffy and Angel fans who've been keeping up with the books. I've been a little disenchanted by Angel's season 6 comic run, but knowing that the title is now coming under supervision of Dark Horse, and will finally be united in ownership and continuity with Buffy... I envision a much more harmonious and frakly, better written, book. Now, the only question is when the frak is Season 8 going to finish?

SuperQueeros! for May 5th, 2010

Where are queer superheroes appearing in comics to celebrate Cinco de Mayo? See the list below!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #35

It's the final issue of the penultimate arc of Buffy Season 8! We know who Twilight is, and that his whole goal this season has been boning his way into a place also called "Twilight". So what does it all mean? And who's about to receive a mighty does of Whedon/Summers smack down? Find out this month as Meltzer sets up to hand the reigns of the season back to master scribe Joss Whedon!

Secret Six #21

Catman vs. the World! Black Alice vs. Scandal Savage! Whether you want to ogle guys or gals or are simply in the mood for some witty, tough-guy beat downs this is the book for you! And really, isn't that why all of us are here, for the idealized body types and the stories whose conflicts are all either physical or astral? #yesitis #okayIwillbuyit #thatiswhatyousaid

The Authority #22

GUYS IT IS TIME TO START READING THIS BOOK. Sometime in the past four months it came to my attention that Sarah Rainmaker, one of the boss-est bi's in the biz, had joined the Authority without my noticing! Which means that this is the FIRST JUMPING-ON POINT that I've let you know about! So let's #1b1t this thing and all buy it and find out what's going on with the inestimable Rainmaker!! Oh, and there are stowaways on the carrier? And some male character is going to break a vow of nonviolence or non-interference and save everyone or something? #RAINMAKER

House of Mystery #25

It's the exquisite corpse issue! I know, I am pumped too! Sturges has said that the authors kept writing each other into corners and raising the stakes all throughout this issue, so pick it up just to see if this literary experiment crashed and burned or if it is the first step toward a future where all titles are team-written! Also, to see if Sturges pulled something interesting out of the dismembered carcass of a story he was handed! #sweet

SuperQueeros! for October 7th, 2009

Each week we bring you a summary of which new comics are featuring LGBT(etc.) characters! Now, I'm no Kiden Nixon, so I may miss one or two due to time constraints. If you spot an omission, please let me know in the comments section and I'll correct it tout de suite!

This Week in Comics:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #29

We get to see Willow knock-down, brag-out brawlin'! With Oz! In a universe where vampires don't impregnate melodramatic, proto-Mormon girls! Plus, this is the only comic that has acknowledged that Tina Fey is America's secret lesbian fantasy.

So read it! Oz is hott! 'Nuff said!

The Authority: World's End #15

I haven't read the Authority since “Authority Prime,” but evidently things have been happening. Wildstorm-verse is now post-apocalyptic, Jenny Quarx is dead, Apollo is in suspended animation, and Midnighter is mysteriously absent. Wait, why are we following this title again?