It’s always seemed odd to me that comic books, a medium that uses Mutant super-heroes and folks from outer space to tell morality tales about racial tolerance and how we humans should treat everyone equally, still treats homosexuality as a controversial subject. In the last few years there have been more gay and lesbian characters cropping up in mainstream comics, but it still seems to be a subject that makes editors and company executives twitch nervously. Even the comic book press wants to make a bigger issue out of Batwoman being openly lesbian instead of anything else about the character. For the past twenty-three years the San Diego Comic-Con has had a panel that spotlights those creators and publishers that are gay-friendly and this year’s panel looks to be pretty stellar! Make sure to adjust your Comic-Con schedule to include this important, informative and fun panel.
Saturday, July 24, 5:45-7:15 Gays in Comics: Year 23!
This all-star panel examines the rising diversity in the comics world today as the long-running “Gays in Comics” panel continues into its third decade at Comic-Con! As mainstream companies DC and Marvel are continue to frontline gay characters such as Batwoman and Northstar, and hire top-level gay or gay-friendly creators, independent publishers and creators are publishing unequivocal content spotlighting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered characters, to the cheers of the thousands of fans who are out of the comic book closet. Welcome a top-level panel of GLBT and straight creators, who will give amazing insights and glimpses of surprises to come! Joining founding moderator Andy Mangels, the USA Today best-selling author of Star Trek novels and Iron Man: Beneath The Armor, as well as numerous comic books, are: Howard Cruse, creator of Stuck Rubber Baby and Barefootz, founder of Gay Comix, and godfather of the gay comic movement; Geoff Johns, writer of Green Lantern, Flash, Brightest Day, and DC Entertainment’s Chief Creative Officer; Marjorie M. Liu, the New York Times best-selling author of Black Widow and X-23 and co-author of Dark Wolverine; Daniel Way, writer of Wolverine and Deadpool, and co-writer of Dark Wolverine; Jim McCann, writer of Hawkeye & Mockingbird, Dazzler, and Return of the Dapper Men; Charles “Zan” Christensen, co-creator of Mark of Aeacus, founding member of PRISM Comics, and new publisher of gay-themed Northwest Press; Dan Parent, writer and artist for Archie and Betty & Veronica, and creator of Archie’s new gay character, Kevin Keller; and Tim Fish, creator of Cavalcade of Boys, and writer-artist for X-Men: Nation X, and Iron Man: Designed Intelligence! Plus, there’s always a surprise or two… Afterward, stick around for the hour-long gay comics fan mixer/social, hosted by PRISM Comics, with prizes and surprise special guests! Room 6A
Saturday, July 24, 7:15-8:15 Gays in Comics Mixer and Silent Auction
Hosted by PRISM Comics, the nonprofit organization that supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered comics, creators, and readers. Mingle with comics fans and creators plus stay for the special drawing of a “Comics Gift Basket” and the silent auction of hot comics items! Room 6A
