Friday, June 1, 2012

DC Comics Outs Green Lantern

Again...and I can't stress this enough...I really don't think a good 80% of comics readers care about this at all, but it is good that the top two publishers of comic books today are waving their "Support LGBT" flags at this moment in time! DC Comics had been teasing a long established character would be bursting forth from the proverbial closet, and not just to reveal his all too snug fitting outfit. DC's The Source scooped themselves today...

Today, we are pleased to announce that the mystery about the identity of the character in question is over. Appearing in next week’s EARTH 2 #2, Alan Scott is the only Green Lantern of Earth 2. A team leader with a Type-A personality and an appetite for justice, Alan also happens to be homosexual. And while his origins won’t be shown in full detail until issue #3, we can tease that a traumatic event will serve as the catalyst for him assuming his superhero identity as The Green Lantern.

Alan’s storyline is a direct result of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 and DC’s commitment to taking a fresh look at its characters. Originally a Golden Age character whose previous continuity spanned from the 1940s through modern times, Alan was a charter member of the Justice Society. As a character, Alan is one of the oldest within DC Comics’ pantheon (being created in 1940). In EARTH 2, he is getting an update for contemporary times to reflect the world we live in. He is younger, has an updated costume and is being introduced to DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 for the very first time. It is also important to note that while Alan is a gay man, his sexuality is merely only one part of his multi-layered character.

“I’m very proud to be introducing Alan Scott into DC COMICS-THE NEW 52,” said series writer James Robinson. “He was my favorite Golden Age character and one I’m very familiar with so I’m really excited to be updating him for a contemporary readership. However, I think old-time readers will be pleasantly surprised by how, in some ways, I'm trying to show the ‘classic’ Alan Scott at the same time. He's still the same dynamic, heroic guy he was. He's still the head of a media empire like he was in his prior version, but of course with the form of media changing and evolving with the times. And in many ways, his origin mirrors the original one also. Oh, and on Earth 2 there is only one Green Lantern, so Alan's title is The Green Lantern. Alan's sexuality is just one facet of him, along with his innate goodness, valor, charisma and skill at leadership that makes him the perfect man to wield the power of the green light in the world of Earth 2.”


Long time fans are a little upset at the move, and it doesn't have anything to do with the Gayness. Ever watch a forum light up over the announcement a character will be changed for a feature film? Geeks tend to HATE change, and much like the uproar what was heard when the New52 was initially announced, fans who have an emotional stake in the life of Alan Scott are sounding off. I mean..the man had kids, so it is understandable. That relationship is a tangible thing for long time readers. Those same readers should be reminded that we are talking about the NEW52 universe though. This isn't your mom's comic universe, nor is it even yours. This is a new place with a new history. All bets are off, folks!

2 comments :

  1. The New52 universe...
    I just find the cynicism that drove this promotional campaign overwhelming. After all this time, I find it impossible to accept the thoughtless 'rebootings' of characters older than those making such changes. But then, as will be this case, the changes end up temporary; remember when Superman 'died'? Can you name all the incarnations of Robin? What number Green Lantern is this, and from which 'earth'? No doubt this he'll be replaced by yet another when DC finds the curiosity-driven sales dry up.

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  2. Well they have left themselves an out of the New52 universe, haven't they. If it all goes to hell, they can just send everyone back home, call it a wash and move along like nothing every happened...quite literally.

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