Scarlet Betch interviews Chris Giarrusso of Mini Marvels

So this is a little belated, but I got the chance to hit up MoCCA-fest sponsored by the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art in NYC. There were hosts of illustrators and artists there, and I ran into Mini Marvel artist, Chris Giarrusso. His artwork is super adorable and is as he describes, "Charles Schultz doing superheroes." Chris was really gracious and super adorable. When I mentioned that I was with a gay comic book blog, he asked "Is it alright that I'm not gay?"

Oh Chris, you're so silly! Some of our favorite people are straight!

SuperQueeros! for April 28th, 2010

I'm like Cerebro for queer comic book characters; these are my findings:

Wildcats #22

Wow. I am continually impressed by the balls it takes to commit to and coordinate the line-wide re-haul/mega-event that Wildstorm is going through ATM. The two page spread in this month's issue of Wildcats that shows the current full cast of the book is staggering. And it's got Apollo and Midnighter front and center! Definitely the book I'm most looking forward to this week!

The Authority: The Lost Year #8

...and it's a double dose this week of our favourite married superqueeros because, according to comixology, this issue didn't ship last week. ;-P

Detective Comics #864

Well, Batwoman is absent from the main story this issue (and the next two), but the Question back-up is still queer-positive and queer-inclusive, so don't take the title off your pull list just yet! First, make a big scene about how Batwoman isn't in this issue and that you'll pick it back up when it has 100% more lesbian per serving! #myplan

Wonder Woman #43

Simone continues to break new ground for the mythology of Wonder Woman even as her term as writer comes to an end! This issue we get some insight into the costume as well as some further development for the character of Wonder Woman's "aunt". Who is she? Why does she want to strip mine Earth? Where did she get her snake earrings (they are funky)? #allthisandmore

Gotham City Sirens #11

The Sirens work to "stem the madness and mayhem" of Gotham as something more evil than our anti-heroines runs amok in the Big City. Does anyone else see this whole scenario as antithetical to who these characters are? Shouldn't at least Harley revel in the madness? I mean, isn't that her thing???? #stillLezYay

Madame Xanadu #22

GLAAD-endorsed Madame Xanadu is coming to a head as the title sets up a final conflict between sisters Morgana and the Madame. I don't know much else, but the solicitation makes it sound like a fun read!

Tennant and Stewart star in Hamlet production; Global nerdgasm imminent, experts warn

David Tennant, best known for his portrayal as the tenth Doctor of the long-running British sci-fi series Doctor Who, is teaming up with long-time geek icon and newly knighted Sir Patrick Stewart of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame in a BBC production of the Bard's beloved masterpiece Hamlet. The production is airing in America on PBS as a part of their Great Performances series. You can find more information on local listing on their website. Additionally, the entire broadcast will be available on pbs.org after it airs next Wednesday, April 28th.

I for one will be glued to the TV (or rather my computer screen as I have given Time Warner Cable the boot). Am I the only one hoping for a soliloquy starting with "To be or not to EXTERMINATE!" Hamlet in Space for the win.

So. much. nerd. right. now. #excited

I can only dream of all the Tennant/Stewart and Doctor/Picard slash to be made. Release the fangirls!

Archie Comics Enters the 90's, Gets First Gay Character

I've never been an avid Archie reader, but for a comic to have one of the longest publishing runs in the industry (since 1939) you've got to give some props to that kind of longevity. We all know that comic book characters are essentially static archetypes. Any kind of aging in comics always seems to be accelerated from 12 to 18 and profoundly slowed after that. I'm pretty sure that Lois Lane has been 29 for a good 20 years now.

So it's no surprise that Archie characters are slow to change. Archie will always be the bumbling adorkable he always is, Jughead will always be the side-kick comic relief, and Veronica will always be chasing the boys. So the thought of any kind of dramatic cultural shift happening in Archie is pretty far-fetched (they even tried to get Archie to FINALLY get married, but that ended up being a big publicity stunt dream sequence). So when I heard about Archie getting a gay character added to the cast, I was highly skeptical.

But low and behold, Kevin Keller, the only gay in the village (of Mamaroneck, where the series is set), is a reality. Kevin's entrance to the cast is pleasantly non-sensational. No surprise coming out scene, no tearful confession, no secret homo crushes. Kevin is simply new in town, and while not closeted doesn't wear his sexuality on his meticulously pressed sleeves. His good looks and dashing smile attract the attention of perpetually man-hungry Veronica. Kevin doesn't know how to mention his queerness, and is advised by the scheming Jughead to "let her down slowly," who secretly wants to humiliate Veronica in return for all the times she has refused his advances.

While perfectly harmless and a shade adorable, the storyline is just so Melrose Place circa 1992. I'll be waiting for the Archie pride issue where we'll hopefully get to meet Kevin and his boyfriend making out on the top of the Pride Parade Marshall's float. That'll be the day!

Catch previews of the issue after the jump:

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SuperQueeros! for April 21st, 2010

Comic books featuring queer characters for the week of April 21st, 2010!!!! And, stunningly, it's an all-boy week!! Progress never looked so... male!

X-Factor #204

So, Mordo, occult super-villain, has captured M and Strong Guy for nefarious purposes, and somehow Rictor and Shatterstar are in the same scene at the beginning of this comic book? even though they were in different countries last issue? So... stuff's gonna happen? And 'Star is gonna get all protective of Rictor and beat some people up!!! #cute! But this issue is also a Second Coming tie-in? So there will be a new story starting up? While M and Strong Guy are still kidnapped? Well, this is MAX TOTES confusing, so if you haven't had a chance to read this AWESOME, QUEER-POSITIVE, (sometimes convoluted) title, jump on NOW! You won't be at a disadvantage! #silverlining

Dark Wolverine #85

The climax of Daken's Dark Reign storyline starts NOW! And it involves him teaming up with his Dad! And if you've looked at the preview you know that Stephen Segovia read "Dad" and decided to pencil a "hot daddy" instead. It's a seminal event and some excellent art: check it out!

The Authority: The Lost Year #8

It's a comical comic this month for the Authority as they face off against Midnighter, masked used car salesman! I wonder what kind of huckster Apollo is? #gayhusbandsinaction

Scarlet Betch Episode 21: "Sex Broke the World"

Scarlet Betch is back at it again. Jason and Anthony dish about the latest in queer comic book news. Buffy and her world shattering sex drive, the new Runaways film, and much much more!

Featured music for this week is Freezepop's "Do You Like Boys"


Direct Download

Whedon to Direct 'Avengers' movie, Fanboys Across the World Squeel in Unison

It's all over the interwebs, geeklebrity director and writer Joss Whedon is close to being tapped to direct Marvel's big blockbuster gamble, "The Avengers". The film is intended to bring together Marvel's upcoming superhero franchises together including the wildly successful Iron Man franchise (Robert Downey Jr.), and several big-budget films in development including Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and the recently announced Captain America (Chris Evans). The film is also likely to feature a black Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) as he appears as SHIELD head honcho in Iron Man 2.

While I'm thrilled that Joss Whedon is getting his chompers into a comic book film project after the unfortunate fate of his Wonder Woman project, I'm less thrilled about the starting line-up of Avengers. So far the successful superhero movies that have been produced in this resurgence in interest in the genre has largely been male heroes. Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Captain America, Iron Man, Daredevil, The Spirit, the list goes on and on of male characters making it to the silver screen. Attempts at breaking this glass ceiling for leading ladies has been a mix bag. X-men was fairly diverse with women often taking central roles in the films, but directorial falters led to an unfortunate wasteland of mutant drivel. And I won't even dignify Jennifer Garner's Elektra with more than a passing mention.

Joss Whedon's shtick since his entree with Buffy the Vampire Slayer is kick-ass girl power. So here's hoping that we get some lead females into this line-up of Avengers. Scarlet Johanson's turn as the Black Widow in Iron Man 2 looks intriguing, but I'm hoping for some of the other Avengerettes to come out of the woodwork. Here's my wishlist:

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Batwoman Is GO!!!!!!

Greg Rucka is leaving DC to do his own comic books. TEARS!! But don't abandon all hope: J.H. Williams III is staying put and he's not going to let Batwoman flounder in the creative limbo of fan-base-protected, writer-less characters that I like to call "The Young Avengers HQ". No, instead the superstar artist is stepping up to the plate and becoming a co-writer and sometimes-pencil-er for the new Batwoman ongoing series! So, while the creative team may be changing, all portents still point to AMAZING.

Source: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/Williams-Batwoman-Ongoing-100414.html

SuperQueeros! for April 14th, 2010

All the LGBT comics coming out on April 14th!!

SIEGE: Young Avengers #1

YOUNG AVENGEEEEEERRRRRSSSS!!!!! I am a famished man at a feast! Okay, more like a microwave meal, but anything seems like a feast to the wanting! Billy! Teddy! Boyfriends!!! I love these guys, you love these guys, for some reason someone is writing about them, it doesn't matter. Go, buy, LOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE!

Secret Six #20

Okay, Catman is going off on people in Africa, so expect HOT. SHIRTLESS. MAN. VIOLENCE. That is to say, the best thing comic books have to offer. Additionally, Scandal is about, so it's a 100% on the lesbi-awesome meter too!

New Mutants #12

Well Second Coming has started, so things will be all action for the next few months. Hopefully New Mutants will have both a self-contained story thread and a butt-load of Karma kicking @$$. The preview appears set up both of these elements, so things look quite promising!

Matt Smith on Triple J Brekkie!

Matt Smith, the man who is playing the 11th incarnation of the Doctor, is going to be appearing on Triple J's Breakfast program this (Australian) morning! (That's 4 pm to 7 pm EST) If you can't tune in, be sure to check out the April 13th podcast of the show at http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/tomandalex/podcast/!

PS - One of the hosts, Tom Ballard, is a big 'mo in a high-profile relationship with fellow comedian Josh Thomas! So it's, to paraphrase Tom, "queer inclusive as".

"Nick & Norah" Director Gets Tapped for "Runaways" Film

Brian K. Vaughan's award winning comic book series The Runaways has been rumored for quite some time to be in development for a live-action adaptation. There was some confusion on the state of the film with the release of the 2010 biopic about the 70's band with the same name, starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. But now, the internets are abuzz with news that the post-post-modern superhero squad of misfits is getting a top notch director, Peter Sollett.

Many people know of Sollett's work through the 2008 film Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist which featured perennial adorkable nerd Peter Cera and Kat Dennings in a series of misadventurous events which leads to a surprisingly touching teen romance. What's doubly intriguing for queer fans of Runaways is that Sollett seems very open to non-sensationalist, matter-of-fact presentation of queerness on film. In Nick and Norah..., Nick is the guitarist for a gay punk band, and his bandmates are featured prominently in the film in an understated but undoubtedly queer manner.

This bodes well for resident glowing alien lesbian Karolina Dean of the Runaways, who struggled with her attraction to fellow Runaway, Nico Minoru. If the film's successful enough, we might even get some Karolina/Xavin action in a sequel! For a while, Runaways was one of the queerest books on the shelves with an out lesbian and her gender fluid/trans girlfriend.

Many in the press have dubbed Runaways "The Breakfast Club with superpowers." I hope that it will be so much more than another teen angst movie with a superhero flair. The charm of Runaways is how it deconstructed the superhero paradigm. No costumes, no codenames, no all-knowing father figure leader (take that Zordon!), not even plucky catch phrases! They're just kids trying to find their own way in a super powered world.

That aside, here's my casting wishlist for Runaways after the jump:

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SuperQueeros! for April 7th, 2010

Which Superheroes are also SuperQueeros this week? Let's find out!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #34

OMG NO THEY DIDN'T! Yes they did! So last issue (or two months ago, thnx spoilers) we found out who Twilight is and this week we get some answers. Or at least the other characters start asking the big questions. And speaking of "Big" if Twilight isn't the Big Bad, who is? And will he/she/it sparkle? And why are Buffy and Angel going at it if nookie de-souls him? He is still a vamp again, right? Wait, wasn't he in sunlight last issue? #WTF

The Authority #21

I have never done such an about face on a title as I have had to for the Authority and the rest of the Wildstorm-verse. A few weeks ago I was trash-talking their "vanishing queers" policy to no end, but now I see that I was duped. Rainmaker, Apollo, and Midnighter are all still active and being written to grand effect, just in completely different titles! Apollo is kind of just floating through whatever title needs a deus ex machina (literally), Midnighter is kicking butt on Earth in Wildcats, and Rainmaker is along for the crazy ride of the newly minted Authority. And both titles are rocking OUT. Wildstorm, and the Authority in particular, has thrived when they've chucked the rule of verisimilitude out the window and apocalypse-d their Wildstorm-verse into a planet-wide hellhole, and right now they're in the middle of the biggest and baddest version of such an apocalypse that I've ever read! So grab some back issues and jump in. I know I'm eating my words and LOVING every bite!

House of Mystery #24

There's a murder and the goblins are angry, which means bazaar politics which means Tursig the gay troll!!! (I hope at least... Not sure what his roll in the book is, but he seems to be connected more to the bazaar than the actual House of Mystery) Plus, the feature story-within-a-story is called "Romantic Comedy, with Corpses", so this whole book seems to be fixing to ROCK. #getit