If I haven’t yet, I must publicly thank the American Family Association, without whom I could still write this column, but it would be no where near as much fun

Homo Erectus

Java Mann

If I haven’t yet, I must publicly thank the American Family Association, without whom I could still write this column, but it would be nowhere near as much fun. The fact that they exist as a self-parody, and maintain radio stations and web sites is amazing. It’s almost like having a high paid research assistant working for me.

The cause for this unprecedented praise is this: The AFA informs me that DC Comics will reveal that two of the Super hero characters in their Authority series, Apollo and the Midnighter, are in fact a gay couple.

If you read my tirade on the Tick, it’s probably no surprise to you that I like comic books. I’m not a Fan-boy, but I’ve been known to buy them when the spirit so moves me. The fact that a friend of mine actually works in a store dedicated to them doesn’t hurt either.

So, the question is: “Why do the AFA have their boxers in a bunch over two comic book characters?” The obvious answer is that impressionable children will read them and emulate the behavior of their heroes. This might hold water considering how many kids have tied one of moms bath towels around their neck as a cape and jumped from the roof of the garage because they thought they could fly. But I find it hard to believe that any kids are gonna pair up and start swapping spit because they saw Batman and Robin doing it.

DC Comics describes their target audience as being between 16 and 25 years of age. This I can believe, because comic books are not cheap. Weeklies/Monthlies start at $1.50, and top off at $3.99. Graphic novels sell for $5.95, and a paperback collection can sell for as much as $25.99.

The real concern (for the AFA, not me. I couldn’t care less) must be that this is a couple. They are concerned that this is somehow mainstreaming the concept of two homosexuals living in a long-term monogamous relationship. Did I fail to mention they’re Super Heroes? That they live on a space station orbiting earth, and battle alien invaders?? That they have powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal man??? Mainstreaming indeed.

Well folks, like their mundane counter parts in the real world, there are gay Super heroes. Northstar is the first openly gay Super hero I was aware of, and he came out back in 1992. Granted he’s not all that popular in the US, he’s a Canadian after all, but he’s in the Marvel Comics registry. Maggie Sawyer, a re-occurring character in DC’s Superman saga is a lesbian. There are lots of gay comic book characters, both mundane and Super. Check them out at: http://www.rzero.com/books/gaySuperfull.html

Actually, what has me confused is, how could gay Super heroes come as a surprise to anyone? Super heroes are routinely muscled bound hard bodies seen in form fitting spandex costumes, with or without capes, (accessories, accessories, accessories) that leave nothing to the imagination. Come on folks. These guys with there secret identities are the ultimate closet cases. They have their conservative business suit for the 9-5 world and a pair of bright red Speedos (to show off those buns of steel) for party time!

Yes, comic books have changed, and, in my humble opinion, for the better. The Japanese Akira series (beautiful graphics and a riveting story) is certainly not for kids. The obvious solution is for parents to be aware of what their kids are doing, what they’re reading, watching, listening to, etc. In other words, be better parents.