projectqueer:

BY ANDREW BELONSKY

Gay journalist and Superman aficionado Glen Weldon won’t be reading Orson Scott Card’s Superman story. It’s not only that Card’s an anti-gay activist who works with the National Organization for Marriage, it’s because of the character at hand, Superman. It would be a different story if Card were commissioned to helm a story starring a minor character — oft-mocked Matter-Eater Lad, the avowed geek suggests — but Superman’s different; ” he’s the superhero.”

“Superman is an ideal,” Weldon writes at NPR. “He represents our best self. That’s what he’s for. He’s not the hero we identify with — that’s what Spider-Man is for… In Superman, we see ourselves as we hope to be. It’s right there in the name — he’s not ‘Pretty Good Man’ or ‘Doesn’t Suck Man’; he’s Superman. He personifies our noblest ideals, ideals we believe in, and strive for…”

Weldom reminds readers that Superman was originally a “champion of the oppressed,” but has picked up some other fitting nicknames along the way, including “man of tomorrow.”

One of the other nicknames that accrued to Superman right away – that predates “Man of Steel” by a good amount – is “The Man of Tomorrow.” And much of his early iconography bears a distinctive Socio-Realist, Diego Rivera vibe: a lot of burnished golden sunrises, eyes raised to the horizon, gazing into the future.

Because that’s where he lives, Superman. And that’s what he says to us: We can do better. We can be better, to ourselves, and to each other.

Hey, DC Comics? Be better.

So far it seems DC is standing by their decision to hire Card for the two-part digital story. The company said in a statement, “As content creators we steadfastly support freedom of expression, however the personal views of individuals associated with DC Comics are just that — personal views — and not those of the company itself.”

sugaronastick:

DC Comics just announced a digital-first series called the Adventures of Superman this week, which is launching in April, Comics Alliance reports:

Among those contributing are ComicsAlliance favorites Jeff Parker (Bucko, Red She-Hulk) and Chris Samnee (Daredevil, The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom), who will collaborate on a story about Superman’s first encounter with Lex Luthor. But before that, Adventures of Superman begins with a two-part story written by popular novelist Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game) and drawn by the great Chris Sprouse and Karl Story

Unfortunately, for DC Comics, Card is a well-known homophobe and anti-gay activist who in 2008 called for the overthrow of government if Prop 8 fails.

If you want a good sample of his writings on gays, check out this column entitled Homosexual “Marriage” and Civilization.

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/#ixzz2KJS3b5Vy

Reblogged for your information. What you decide to do with it is up to you. Myself, I will not buy this book on principle. As I respect the other creators I may pick up after Card’s involvement is over. But we’ll see. I’m rather unhappy he’s involved at all

jsarevisited:

If indeed Alan Scott is to be gay, I hope it is handled tactfully, respectfully, and with a very thorough storyline, I have grown so tired of the stereotypical percieved gay male in the media. Not all gay males are of the effeminate as is frequently portrayed, I would hope we have moved past…

Can you name me these effeminate gay characters? I can name two: Extrano and Bunker.

I actually think it’s great they introduced Bunker, because when gay characters are introduced, they steer clear of more flamboyant character types to avoid being accused of being stereotypical. So having Bunker there for the ‘Kurt Hummel’ gay teens was a welcome change.

If we’re talking comic gay stereotypes, then the stereotype is a guy who you can’t even tell is gay. Which helps when you want to hide them, and their sexuality, in the background.

sugaronastick:

Last year, during an interview with The Advocate about lesbian superhero Batwoman’s solo series, DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio said any additional gay characters in the company’s roster would most likely be new.

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/#ixzz1vVmoqEsW

Yeah, so I ask a question at a DC Panel at Kapow 2012, and this happens

I have included first issues of Batgirl New 52 1st Printings, signed by Gail Simone.

I hate to have to sell them, but I really need the money and room to well, live in.

Anyway, she signed more stuff for me to keep :)