Heinberg in discussion on LGBT in comics

[The Night Phantom]

Among other things, Young Avengers is known for its ongoing portrayal (well, ongoing when the series actually has new issues!) of a same-sex romantic relationship between two of its feature characters…mostly because the social climate is such that such a relationship becomes, by its very existence, discussion fodder.

Comic Book Resources is putting together a four-part series called “Homosexuality in Comics”, which will include comment from YA creator/writer Allan Heinberg and other comics professionals. So far, only Part I and part II have been posted online. Here’s the series’ own description and overview of the four parts:

Parts I and II will introduce the nine participants. Part I features Marc Andreyko, Lillian Diaz-Przbyl, Devin Grayson, Terrance Griep and Mark Millar, and part II introduces Allan Heinberg, Scott Lobdell, Alan Moore and Greg Rucka. In addition to biographical materials, each introductory segment will also include the participant's musings on their own comics work that features GLBT characters and themes.

Parts III and IV will be the article proper, in which the participants address a wide range of topics. In part III, the participants discuss the Comics Code, the stigma of comics as a children's medium, whether homosexuality is a lifestyle choice or a genetic predisposition, and the tendency for fictional GLBT characters to be defined by their sexuality. The topics for part IV include the "gay retcon," the participants' picks for well-informed portrayals of GLBT characters in comics, and the state of the union of homosexuality in comics.

So, if you’re looking for Heinberg specifically, you can skip ahead to part II, which contains his biographical sketch. Presumably he’ll be quoted in both parts III and IV—and one imagines Young Avengers will be mentioned in either or both of those parts—but we shall see. Part III is due tomorrow, and I presume part IV should come the day after.

[Nutcase65]

I think one of the things that made this aspect of the story easy to receive was that it never seemed to be just a plot device. In many things Marvel does, decisions seem calculated to drive interest.

This has always seemed like just a relationship for a relationship's sake.

[The Night Phantom]

Not much time to post tonight—I’ll just point out that part III is available, and that is does include quotes from Allan Heinberg.

[Alchemist-X]

Its also more belivable (I think anyway) because these aren't established characters who suddenly (or not so suddenly in the case of Ultimate Colossus) come out of the closet, but characters who had these traits from day one.

[The Night Phantom]

I’m behind in posting. Part IV (the conclusion) has been available since Thursday.

My opinion of CBR’s four-parter was that it raised a lot of food-for-thought issues, but I personally didn’t feel any new insights arising from it. However, it did cover a lot of ground with what I thought were well-written summaries and observations, and so I’m not knocking the piece. Some people may indeed find it enlightening.

Although I didn’t find any new insights, I did run into some new information. In particular, the Heinberg biography in part II is where I first learned that Heinberg identifies as gay. While reading Young Avengers, it had occurred to me to wonder what Heinberg’s sexual orientation or germane social affiliations might be, but I had never pursued looking into it, because I decided that ultimately it didn’t matter in my reading the stories. Good or bad writing of nonheterosexual characters can come from persons of any background…just like good or bad writing of heterosexual characters.

[Tana Nile]

I just wish Heinberg had time to continue writing this series. For me it was one of the most enjoyable series on the market - and the best Avengers available!

I'm glad to see more gay and lesbian characters in comics, at least when presented well. I felt Young Avengers did a balanced job, presenting the problems of being a gay superhero but not getting sensationalistic, or making that the primary focus of the book.

[The Night Phantom]

Like Tana and Nutcase—and like at least one of the commentators in the aforementioned CBR articles—I’ve noticed that the Wiccan–Hulkling relationship is unusual among same-sex romances in (especially mainstream) comics in its almost complete lack of sensationalism and hype. There’s been a lot of praise for its handling, and I agree that it is well portrayed and represents a positive, progressive milestone.

However, I submit that it’s not the only kind of LGBT portrayal that’s worthwhile. Some might cast aspersions on previous portrayals—Percy Pinkerton, Northstar, DC’s Extraño, and so on—but the reality is that there are many different kinds of LGBT experience. I think the advent of Teddy and Billy is great—but theirs should not become the sole model in use.

[Nutcase65]

Phantom I think this will also be one of those issue that we'll see in use with future retcons. We'll see some flashback and go 'ooohhhhh, I get it'

As long as it's handled with the smoothness of this case, there is no problem.

However, they need to also keep their eyes on not overdoing it, and going too far with the numbers,... then it would get too used and sort of cancel any effectiveness it has as a plot device,... If that makes any sense.