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Marvel Comics to unveil gay
gunslinger
Monday, December 9, 2002 Posted: 2:57 PM EST (1957
GMT)
NEW YORK
(CNN) -- Marvel
Comics plans to break new ground in the comic book industry by introducing the
first openly gay title character in a comic book.
The character will appear in a revival of the 1950s title, "The Rawhide
Kid." Marvel expects a February debut. The new series pairs the original
artist, John Severin, now 86, with Ron Zimmerman, a writer for the "Howard
Stern Show."The Rawhide Kid has been a Marvel character since the 1950s
both as a main and a secondary character. However, it was not until Zimmerman
approached Marvel with his idea of a homosexual Rawhide Kid that sexuality was
mentioned in the discussion of the character. Although shy with
girls, the original Rawhide Kid was not intended to be gay. The new version uses
double entendres and euphemisms to reveal his homosexuality without saying
anything explicitly. Based on a blurb on Marvel's Web site, the tone may be
campy. In a bubble in the first edition of the series, Rawhide Kid comments
about the Lone Ranger: "I think that mask and the powder blue outfit are
fantastic. I can certainly see why the Indian follows him around." Brian Reinert,
Marvel's public relations officer, said that Marvel has always been
"interested in tapping into stories that are relevant today." He
expects the reactions to this comic to vary. Although many readers will accept
the new sexuality of the Marvel hero, Reinert expects possible negative
responses from people who don't accept homosexuality and readers who do not want
to see a change in their beloved character. "When you tackle these issues
it will always push buttons," he said. Marvel is
planning six stories over the next six months. After looking at the response to
those issues they will decide whether to continue production and whether they
would be interested in more series with gay title characters. Although Rawhide
Kid is the first gay title character, Marvel does have several existing gay
characters, such as North Star of the "X-Men" comic book series. The Rawhide Kid
series, beginning with the first edition "Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather,"
will run about 22 pages and have a suggested retail price of $2.95. I applaud Marvel Comics for their bold presentation of a ‘gay’ character. My only objection would be if “Rawhide Kid” comes across as ‘nellie’, or very ‘tres-gay’! Or, saying something too campy like…”Yippee..I..O...KY!” Time will tell. My favorite Marvel character is “Spiderman” who in the late 70’s (in a special issue) revealed his sexual abuse by an older uncle when he was a child. I believe it started people opening up to having had similar abuses, bringing this shameful act out in the open after having been hidden for so long. And this is a good thing. Rex D.
3-6-03 | |||||||||
All written word is "The Opinion" of Thomas A. unless otherwise noted...
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