Queer Comic Book Character: Loki (Oct 9th)

Loki is Thor’s mischievous trickster god brother and often Thor’s enemy as well. He’s a super-villain who’s generally portrayed as being completely out for himself. He’s based on the Norse God both in personality and powers.

For most of his long-run in Marvel Comics, Loki is portrayed as a man. However, when the Norse Gods are all killed — Loki is beheaded by Thor — all the Gods are reborn in canon. And Loki is reborn as a woman. Loki seems to enjoy her female body and constantly refers to herself as “her.” However, it is revealed that Loki is more two-spirited than transgendered at rebirth given Loki’s male form is inside her body. (Comic book plotlines can be so impossible to describe.)

Loki

Loki in both female and male forms
Loki as both a woman and a man

In her new form, Loki claims she can’t lie anymore. But if that’s true, she can still go about tricking people with the truth and causing havoc against her brother Thor. She also joins Norman Osborn’s secret cabal with Doctor Doom, Emma Frost, Namor, and the Hood. Loki seems to be the wildcard which Norman’s placing his bets on will be helpful when she’s needed. Osborn promises her Asgard as the Cabal plots to take over the world. Continue reading “Queer Comic Book Character: Loki (Oct 9th)”

Reviews Siege: Young Avengers

Siege: Young AvengersErica Gives This Comic Four StarsSiege: Young Avengers by Sean McKeever

I liked this comic a lot. I miss the Young Avengers, and this tale felt like a breath of fresh air into their mythology. I haven’t been reading the Siege title or tie-ins in comics I don’t read. But these big action comics have more punching than story. Which is part of why I love McKeever’s character-based story. Continue reading “Reviews Siege: Young Avengers”

Six Minor Characters I’d Elevate into Iconic Character Roles in Marvel and DC

I’ve thought a lot about how to bring comics into newer times, and I really think there needs to be some casting changes. Now I’m not saying we have to ditch the ionic characters, but it’s time to see other characters stepping up and becoming icons themselves. Not to mention, this might start attracting a bigger audience.

Six Minor Characters I’d Elevate into Iconic Character Roles

Pepper Potts as Rescue (Iron Man)

Pepper Potts as Iron Man

Continue reading “Six Minor Characters I’d Elevate into Iconic Character Roles in Marvel and DC”

Queer Comic Book Characters: Hulkling (Oct 21st)

The struggle with identity can be a great one, especially for queer youth. However, Theodore “Teddy” Altman’s (Hulkling) struggle isn’t about his sexuality, but his heritage. Struggling with heritage seems to be a popular stand in for sexual orientation identity struggles in the Marvel universe.

Theodore “Teddy” Altman (Hulkling)

Teddy first appears in Young Avengers where everyone assumes he’s a Hulk, hence his name. In fact, Teddy himself assumes this is where his bulky green powered-up appearance comes from. But Teddy’s not gamma-radiated, instead he’s a Kree-Skrull hybrid with super strength, super healing, and shape-shifting abilities. He’s also romantically involved with teammate Billy Kaplan (Wiccan). Continue reading “Queer Comic Book Characters: Hulkling (Oct 21st)”