Ok, so the pro-rights part: Yay! I hope its not just publicity driven.
The comic book nerd part: Its frustrating.
Firstly, love the podcasts, but your comic book knowledge is over 10 years out of date.
Secondly, I have real worries that they cannot do this well. Case in point is the portrayal of Starfire in the DCNu. Is the company that engages in this type of character assasination going to be able to create a fully realized gay character without falling back on stereotypes.
Thirdly, the deconstruction of continutity and characters that I have read for years bothers me. Not even talking about the events that are now out of continuity (Crisis
), this will be a major change to a character that has a history. While I find it laudable that gay kids will have a role model to look up to, it will change the hero relationship for other readers. Not that you cannot idolize a character that is gay, but it essentially makes 2 characters. And since 99% of the iconic male characters have had major relationships over the course of continuity, this means that the older character no longer really exist (not b/c the character didn't go through a journey of choice to come to this realization, but b/c DC has eliminated the old character from continuity.)
Taking on this point, here are the major and minor iconics and what their chances of being this character are, IMHO:
Supes - Lois Lane, they aren't going to change this.
Batman - Considering that the first catwoman issue showed Bats and her in flagrante on the rooftops, not likely
Hal Jordan - unlikely, hes been portrayed as a horndog too long, plus Star Sapphire
John Stewart - possible, but he has a major romantic arc with Katma Tui
Guy Gardner - possible, again minor romantic arc with Ice
Kyle Rayner - more possible, last romantic arc was Alex DeWitt (See women in refrigerators), may not be in continuity anymore
Green Arrow - unlikely, hes been portrayed as a horndog too long, plus Black Canary
Aquaman - unlikely unless they ignore his history. He's king of Atlantis and Mera is his queen.
Martian Manhunter - possible, but really a cop-out as hes very alien
Cyborg - possible, they have been pushing him to be a major character, but he's still really a minor.
Dick Grayson (Robin) - unlikely, hes been portrayed as a horndog too long
Jason Todd (Robin) - dead
Tim Drake (Robin) - possible, some romantic arcs, but nothing iconic.
Damien (Robin) - possible, no major romantic arcs as hes relatively young. Youth plays against this.
Anyone else would be considered too minor to be listed as an "iconic" for marketing purposes.
The comic book nerd part: Its frustrating.
Firstly, love the podcasts, but your comic book knowledge is over 10 years out of date.
Secondly, I have real worries that they cannot do this well. Case in point is the portrayal of Starfire in the DCNu. Is the company that engages in this type of character assasination going to be able to create a fully realized gay character without falling back on stereotypes.
Thirdly, the deconstruction of continutity and characters that I have read for years bothers me. Not even talking about the events that are now out of continuity (Crisis
), this will be a major change to a character that has a history. While I find it laudable that gay kids will have a role model to look up to, it will change the hero relationship for other readers. Not that you cannot idolize a character that is gay, but it essentially makes 2 characters. And since 99% of the iconic male characters have had major relationships over the course of continuity, this means that the older character no longer really exist (not b/c the character didn't go through a journey of choice to come to this realization, but b/c DC has eliminated the old character from continuity.)Taking on this point, here are the major and minor iconics and what their chances of being this character are, IMHO:
Supes - Lois Lane, they aren't going to change this.
Batman - Considering that the first catwoman issue showed Bats and her in flagrante on the rooftops, not likely
Hal Jordan - unlikely, hes been portrayed as a horndog too long, plus Star Sapphire
John Stewart - possible, but he has a major romantic arc with Katma Tui
Guy Gardner - possible, again minor romantic arc with Ice
Kyle Rayner - more possible, last romantic arc was Alex DeWitt (See women in refrigerators), may not be in continuity anymore
Green Arrow - unlikely, hes been portrayed as a horndog too long, plus Black Canary
Aquaman - unlikely unless they ignore his history. He's king of Atlantis and Mera is his queen.
Martian Manhunter - possible, but really a cop-out as hes very alien
Cyborg - possible, they have been pushing him to be a major character, but he's still really a minor.
Dick Grayson (Robin) - unlikely, hes been portrayed as a horndog too long
Jason Todd (Robin) - dead
Tim Drake (Robin) - possible, some romantic arcs, but nothing iconic.
Damien (Robin) - possible, no major romantic arcs as hes relatively young. Youth plays against this.
Anyone else would be considered too minor to be listed as an "iconic" for marketing purposes.
