6. Apollo

Listen, I know Warren Ellis has been cancelled for being a creep. It’s kinda not surprising that he’s a creep. Sadly. But, he’s still a guy I think we should respect the work he did at the top of his game. Among those, The Authority essentially redefined superhero comics for nearly a full decade, and we’re still seeing the ripples from its influence. I’d like to the think that the creation of Apollo and Midnighter, and the nonchalant “no big deal” way they were outed inspired the creation of many of today’s LGBTQ characters, and that for some maybe less-than-open minded comic fans of the time (possible myself included), it was kind of a revelation, like “oh, this is fine. Totally fine.”

It didn’t hurt that Apollo & Midnighter kicked a ton of fucking ass. The (at the time) WildStorm Universe version of Superman & Batman, a loving couple who didn’t mind murdering the absolute fuck out of everyone who needed a good murdering. Their intro in StormWatch was one of the best storylines of that series after Ellis took over, and when he transformed the book into The Authority, they became the highlight of that series too.

And then Mark Millar happened and carried the book and team forward with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer with racist and homophobic tendencies, ruining all those characters forever.

Every Apollo (and Midnighter) costume has sucked since the start of The Nu52. But I do kinda like the sun rays coming off the symbol, so I combined it with his old costume. Gave him a haircut too. Long hair is so 1998.

5. Northstar

Oh, Northstar. Where to start? Not the first gay superhero to come out, but perhaps the first to be created AS gay? At least according to legend. John Byrne, in a seriously rare moment of progressiveness – who had created Northstar and the rest of Alpha Flight as basically punching bags for the X-Men – decided to make Northstar a homosexual as he had to eventually give Alpha Flight lives and personalities to carry their own book. While Marvel EIC Jim Shooter wouldn’t allow an out gay character, Byrne and subsequent creators hinted and danced around it without ever full-on revealing it.

Then there’s Alpha Flight #106.

In an absolute over-the-top, early 90s, cheesy, ham-fisted way, written by a legendary scumfuck of the comics industry, drawn by the worst of the Liefeldian clones in worst Liefeldian way, Northstar finally comes out.

It’s kinda glorious.

So Northstar is arguably the most famous superhero coming out story, and the first that got major media attention. It was a huge deal in 1992. Definitely not the best, though.

I actually really like Northstar. Oddly, I was reading Alpha Flight when this comic was released, but because it became so hard to find and sold-out all over, I never got a copy, and I basically stopped reading Alpha Flight (this was at a time where my LCS was actually just the convenient store around the corner from my parent’s house, and my subscriptions/pull-list were whatever they had available. About once every 2-3 months, I maybe could convince my dad to drive me to a comic shop for an hour or so, as long as there was a bar nearby).

But I loved his arrogance and shittiness. He’s definitely a mutant who was one solid agreement away from joining the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. But he was still heroic and compassionate. Just a real asshole about it though. I never understood the pointy ears, though, until I realized something that FUCKING NO ONE TALKS ABOUT!

He’s Zan from the Wonder Twins! Aurora is Jayna! They’re the fucking Wonder Twins! John Byrne spoofed the Wonder Twins! Why does no one talk about this?! Ugh!

4. America

Don’t know much about her, but I read the recent America Chavez: Made in the USA and it’s a “your whole life is a lie!” plot. Which is not great for even the most well-established of characters, and kinda worse for characters barely a decade old. Anyhoo. I like the simplicity of her look, she’s Puerto Rican, and she was enjoyable in the Dr. Strange 2: The Strangening.

3. Superman

Confession, I really don’t care for grown-up/college-age Jon Kent. He should have remained a kid. He’s a good foil for Damien Wayne. I’ve read a handful of issues of Superman: Son of Kal-El, and I just don’t enjoy it. I loved the Nightwing cross-over, but Jesus, Tom Taylor is SLAYING on that book. I think I’m just more disappointed that his Superman isn’t on the level of his Nightwing work. Don’t get me wrong, there are hints to the potential of it, but Nightwing has been such an emotional rollercoaster, and Superman is just so… mediocre. But, the moment when Jon comes out as bi to Lois… that got me. And Lois’ reaction. Christ. (Also the recent issue when Batman has a heart-to-heart with Jonathan Kent [Clark’s dad]… for fucksake. THAT is what I want from the rest of Son of Kal-El!)

Also, Jon’s Superman costume kinda sucks.

2. Pied Piper

Not the best sketch.

Anyhoo, back in 1991, I had a friend… it was either James or Preston. I’m leaning toward Preston. We were talking about the brand new TV sensation called The Flash. You’ve heard of it. Lasted 14 seasons. John Wesley Shipp became the biggest star in America.

Anyway, James/Preston was schooling me and fueling me in a future hatred of Barry fucking Allen. He was telling me how even though Barry was The Flash on the TV show, the REAL Flash was Wally West, and all the best parts of Barry’s personality and powers on the show were actually cribbed from Wally. And you know what I’d say to 13 year old Eric? Hashtag Always Wally, motherfucker! And you know what 13 year old Eric would say to me? “What’s a hashtag? Why did we go bald? Why are you so mean?”

Life, kid. Life.

But I digress. Preston/James decided I needed to be initiated into the cult of Wally, and handed me a relatively recent issue of The Flash. It featured a Superman/Flash team-up and possible race, I think. But that’s not the part that stood out to me. No, the part that I still remember to this day was the opening scene of Wally hanging out with his friend, The Pied Piper – a former BarryFlash villain. Because, everyone should be Barry’s villain. He’s a terrible character. Fuck Barry.

So Wally & Pied Piper are just chillin’ on a rooftop, shootin’ the shit, as superheroes do. The conversation turns to potentially homosexual supervillains, and Piper outs himself to Wally. It’s quiet, it’s subtle, it’s also totally 1990s hamfisted & awkward. Wally behaves like an idiot, as most straight white dudes would at the time and also in the now, probably. But also through his adventure with Superman, learns (maybe) that the power of friendship is the most important power there is and accepts and loves Piper for who he is… a reformed villain.

So that was the first comic I ever read featuring Wally West, and also the first time I was aware of a gay character in a comic book (at least a non-cartoonish stereotype). And here I am 30 years later, still fondly remembering that comic except for the bulk of which featured that Superguy no one’s ever heard of or seen since.

(Flash #53)

1. D-Man

It’s Pride Month, and I’ve decided to help celebrate in my own way, by drawing a month full of LGBTQIA+ superheroes/characters. As an 80% cis het dude, I do feel I probably should not be doing this, but I just wanted to draw some fun & kick-ass characters, and show my support to people who might enjoy and appreciate it, also realizing that I am fairly ignorant of the queer experience, and hoping for some forgiveness and blessings for my clumsy alliance.

I’ve said before, I don’t really know any members of the community, certainly not enough to call anyone a friend. But also, I am incredibly insular, introverted, and socially anxious. I have basically 5 friends in real life, and sometimes I think that’s like 3 or 4 too many. So it’s not that I don’t wish to have a more diverse circle of friends, it’s mostly that I don’t want to have a circle of friends.

I did grow up fairly conservative, despite being a non-white fatso who was bullied throughout my entire childhood through adult life for both the tone of my skin color and size and shape of my body. It’s honestly only in the last decade + that I have embraced a liberal perspective and become moreso as I get older. I am… just trying to learn.

So whether this is a stunt for attention or me just genuinely trying to celebrate a part of society I have no experience in, that’s up to you. I’m gonna hope I’m just here for a fun time. But I should also mention that my new ladylove is part of the queer community. She also did not like comics before meeting me. She’s opened up a bit, and so this is me trying to share with her my love of comics and show her it’s not all straight white male power fantasies.

So. D-Man.

While there are definitely some characters I know and love and wanted to draw straight away, I was going through a list of Marvel & DC LGBTQ superheroes to see of whom I was unaware, when I see D-Man’s name.

D-Man has always been kind of a joke loser character. He’s got Wolverine & Daredevil’s hand-me-downs, often portrayed as kind of slow or dumb, dirty, smelly, sometimes homeless and mentally ill. But I’ve always got a soft spot for the losers and D-Listers (pun?). He’s appealing to me more than your Spider-Manses or your Captain Americans. So when I saw him on the list, I had to look up the story from when was he outed. Apparently a few years ago in Sam Wilson’s Cap title, it was revealed he had a longtime boyfriend. Y’know what? Awesome. It makes him more well-rounded and gives him a backstory and a life beyond “that dude what looks like Dareverine”. (Sam Wilson: Captain America #15)

Day 1 (D-1?) down!

I just remembered I’m very tired and hate Sketch-A-Days!

Patreon Reward: Hyperion

Patron asked for the Paradise X version of Hyperion. The Squadron Supreme and all its various incarnations and alternate versions confound me a bit, but they are a sort of evil but not quite Marvel version of the Justice League. I have drawn the classic version before.

Patreon Reward: Rito Revolto

Patron asked for this Power Rangers baddie. Like most villains/monsters in this series, he looks completely badass, but is probably a whiny-voiced goofy fuck in the show. But, he’s pretty metal.

Miracle Monday

Patreon Reward: Super-Eeyore

My patron asked for Super-Eeyore (a mash-up of Superman and Eeyore, natch), and almost instantly as the words filtered into my brainmeats, I knew that I had to homage Frank Quitely’s iconic All-Star Superman cover.

May as well take this opportunity to say that I’ll be drawing sketches at Maverick’s Cards and Comics in Kettering, OH for Free Comic Book Day this Saturday May 7th. Since no one reads my blog or looks at my art, this will go well!

I will be coming off an 8 hour shift, and I will be tired and cranky and will absolutely murder anyone who spoils Doctor Strange. Got it? Thanks.