Earth 2's Sam: A Case of Heterosexism and Narrative Violence in Comic Books

For the past few weeks, the queer comic-verse has been spinning with news of Marvel and DC's competing LGBT announcements: '90s groundbreaking gay character Northstar's nuptials to boyfriend Kyle; and the introduction of a gay iteration of the iconic first Green Lantern Alan Scott. Here at Scarlet Betch, we were even more excited when previews for the introductory issue included the first appearance of Scott's boyfriend, Sam, a CEO from Hong Kong, and presumably a queer Asian character.

Earth 2 #2's cliffhanger proposal

Now, I'm not sure how many of you are aware of this, but queer Asian characters are hard to come by in comics. I think I can list them on my hand: Karma, Daken, Grace Choi, Satsu from BtVS... So, the possibility of a queer Asian character linked to a key iconic DC heavy-weight like Alan Scott was really exciting. Sam could be the Kyle to Alan Scott's Northstar. However, the outlook for Alan/Sam didn't look so great after last month's Earth 2 #2, where after an anemic screen time of a few pages as a couple, Alan and Sam are engulfed in an explosion on their train, just as Scott proposes marriage. The flash of green within the explosion at the end of the issue gave us a hint of hope that Sam might be spared the very "women in refrigerators"-like end he seemed to be set up for. Perhaps Scott would develop his powers in time to save his boyfriend and bring him back from the brink of death.

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Scarlet Betch Episode 67

Hey Betches!

We're back with another great episode. This week we discuss Earth 2's Green Lantern and his boyfriend (queer & Asian!) Sam and some misgivings and concerns regarding the disturbing trend in comics and queer characters of color. Also the SUPERB Superbia and its abundance of queer storylines.

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 July 4th, 2012

Independence Day! Buy some indie comics AND Earth 2 #3!

Earth 2 #3

GREEN LANTERN ORIGIN STORY! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!

Stormwatch #11

The Engineer takes on the shadows! Are Apollo and Midnighter broken up???

X-Factor #239

It's field trip time! The crew has split up for a series of quests, and first up is Banshee against... a banshee?!??!

Hack/Slash #17

Vlad fights his family.

SuperQueeros! for June 27th, 2012

Justice League Dark #10

So the cover of this issue shows five characters: Zatanna, Black Orchid, Deadman, Andrew Bennet, and Constantine. Together that's about 1.5 characters that I'm interested in (or CTIII. Also, is Constantine bi in the DCnU???). But the solicit says that Madame X(anadu) is still on the team, which would bump the CTIII up to around a 3.5. PLUS, their new HQ is House of Mystery. Not sure how that's going to play out, but HoM is one of my favs, so I'm 150% going to look at this book. #proveyourself

Teen Titans #10

Secrets 'n' stuff! Maybe we'll get to see what's happened to Skitter! Bunker stands up to Robin! Solstice gets some screen time! Speaking of Solstice, when is she getting her light powers back? But I am loving that they're staying with the costumes from The Culling! So cool!

SuperQueeros! for June 20th, 2012

Have you ever COMPLETELY forgotten about what day it was on the most IMPORTANT day of the year? YEah, me too. In my defense, the finales of Girls and The Legend of Korra and the release of Pokemon Conquest and the premiere of Warehouse 13 have had my head in a TIZZY,   but honestly there's no excuse for forgetting about...

ASTONISHING X-MEN #51!!!!!!

MAWWAGE. Yes, Northstar ties the know in what is the COMIC OF THE YEAR. What's that AvX? You think you stand a chance? Only if Scott dies, Jean comes back to life, Emma starts leading Utopia, and Xavin comes back from space and Northstar has to get REMARRIED because Xavin missed the first one. Oh, and Kyle has to get his own Kevin Keller-esque spin-off title. BUY THIS BOOK <3.

Batwoman #10

Penultimate chapter and lots of Killer Croc! This version of the Croc TERRIFIES me. Also, I hope Batwoman's new flirtation K.O.s her current relationship. Batman's most interesting relationship is with Catwoman, not Commissioner Gordon. QED, ditch the cop and pash the criminal, Kate!

Wonder Woman #10

Can Diana be saved from being Hell's wife????

Avengers Academy #32

The X-men come for Justin's Sentinel. Is this story logical? Yes. But is it going to be interesting?

Hellblazer #292

There's a werewolf on the cover!!! I might buy this...

X-Factor #238

Banshee gets framed!

True Blood #2

Think the Lafayette Rule applies to the comic too? (Lafayette Rule: A storyline RULES if and only if Lafayette features in it.)

SuperQueeros! for June 13th, 2012

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9: Freefall #10

I only buy these guys once every two months, and I'm due for a double issue this week, so I'm not really sure how we got to this point, but it's Buffy vs. Buffy! Yes, thanks to Andrew's meddling, Buffy's brain is in a one-armed Buffybot and, thanks to Simone's meddling, Buffy's body got pink highlights and wants to kick her brain's butt! This issue: Andrewe tries to help some more! (Also, Xander and Dawn are the only things in between San Fran and the steadily evolving Zompires!)

Kevin Keller #3

Beach day! Plus Jason and Cheryl Blossom show up to mix it up with the new kid! I can't wait to read this issue so that I'll have something to base my Jason/Kevin fanfic around! EDIT: Jason wasn't in this issue! I guess I'll just have to write the next best 'ship: Wendy/Sloan!

Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #1

It looks like both Silk Spectres will feature prominently in this tale. Hopefully they'll still have room for the 'queeros! EDIT: They didn't have room...

Ultimate Comics X-Men #13

It's back to NYC for Kitty Pryde's transformation from homeless youth to fugitive! (Colossus probably won't be in this issue. But you never know!) Edit: Now we know: there's no C-boy. But Kitty is bad-as this issue!

Superboy #10

Bunker guest stars, along with a lot of the other Teen Titans! And the solicit says  this: "Don't miss SUPERBOY and WONDER GIRL in an ancient world - with no adult supervision!" That is... the opening line to an underage pr0n scene. #ugh #gross