Marvel Comics to unveil gay gunslinger

BruinEd03

Platinum Member
Feb 5, 2001
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Cnn

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Marvel Comics plans to break new ground in the comic book industry by introducing the first openly gay title character in a comic book.

The character will appear in a revival of the 1950s title, "The Rawhide Kid." Marvel expects a February debut.

The new series pairs the original artist, John Severin, now 86, with Ron Zimmerman, a writer for the "Howard Stern Show."

The Rawhide Kid has been a Marvel character since the 1950s both as a main and a secondary character. However, it was not until Zimmerman approached Marvel with his idea of a homosexual Rawhide Kid that sexuality was mentioned in the discussion of the character.

Although shy with girls, the original Rawhide Kid was not intended to be gay. The new version uses double entendres and euphemisms to reveal his homosexuality without saying anything explicitly. Based on a blurb on Marvel's Web site, the tone may be campy.

In a bubble in the first edition of the series, Rawhide Kid comments about the Lone Ranger: "I think that mask and the powder blue outfit are fantastic. I can certainly see why the Indian follows him around."

Brian Reinert, Marvel's public relations officer, said that Marvel has always been "interested in tapping into stories that are relevant today." He expects the reactions to this comic to vary.

Although many readers will accept the new sexuality of the Marvel hero, Reinert expects possible negative responses from people who don't accept homosexuality and readers who do not want to see a change in their beloved character.

"When you tackle these issues it will always push buttons," he said.

Marvel is planning six stories over the next six months. After looking at the response to those issues they will decide whether to continue production and whether they would be interested in more series with gay title characters.

Although Rawhide Kid is the first gay title character, Marvel does have several existing gay characters, such as North Star of the "X-Men" comic book series.

The Rawhide Kid series, beginning with the first edition "Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather," will run about 22 pages and have a suggested retail price of $2.95.

:confused:

-Ed
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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In a bubble in the first edition of the series, Rawhide Kid comments about the Lone Ranger: "I think that mask and the powder blue outfit are fantastic. I can certainly see why the Indian follows him around."
thats pretty damn corny
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
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"Rawhide" Kid. "Slap Leather." Gee...that's thinly-veiled.
rolleye.gif
Heh, why am I thinking about the cowboy and the motorcycle guy from the Village People? :Q
 

FeathersMcGraw

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 2001
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Originally posted by: BruinEd03
Cnn

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Marvel Comics plans to break new ground in the comic book industry by introducing the first openly gay title character in a comic book.

It's pretty obvious that Spider-Man made him gay.
 
Feb 10, 2000
30,029
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I bet it will be hilarious - Ron Zimmerman, the creator, is a longtime Hollywood screenwriter and all-around very funny guy. I must say I am a bit surprised that Marvel bought off on this, but God bless 'em.
 
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
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Originally posted by: FeathersMcGraw
Originally posted by: BruinEd03
Cnn

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Marvel Comics plans to break new ground in the comic book industry by introducing the first openly gay title character in a comic book.

It's pretty obvious that Spider-Man made him gay.

/collapses in fit of helpless laughter from remembering that link

:confused: :D :confused: :eek: :D

- M4H
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Originally posted by: Don_Vito
I bet it will be hilarious - Ron Zimmerman, the creator, is a longtime Hollywood screenwriter and all-around very funny guy. I must say I am a bit surprised that Marvel bought off on this, but God bless 'em.

Yes, God Bless them. I hope your son reads this someday and brings home his "friend/roomate" to your Christmas dinners.
 

klod

Senior member
Nov 10, 2000
287
0
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How can he be "openly gay", yet use "double entendres and euphemisms to reveal his homosexuality without saying anything explicitly?"
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Originally posted by: edro13
Originally posted by: Don_Vito
I bet it will be hilarious - Ron Zimmerman, the creator, is a longtime Hollywood screenwriter and all-around very funny guy. I must say I am a bit surprised that Marvel bought off on this, but God bless 'em.

Yes, God Bless them. I hope your son reads this someday and brings home his "friend/roomate" to your Christmas dinners.
hmm...so what do you think about all the violence in comic books? You think that's making kids violent? Yeah, that's what I though...hypocrite.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Originally posted by: werk
Originally posted by: edro13
Originally posted by: Don_Vito
I bet it will be hilarious - Ron Zimmerman, the creator, is a longtime Hollywood screenwriter and all-around very funny guy. I must say I am a bit surprised that Marvel bought off on this, but God bless 'em.

Yes, God Bless them. I hope your son reads this someday and brings home his "friend/roomate" to your Christmas dinners.
hmm...so what do you think about all the violence in comic books? You think that's making kids violent? Yeah, that's what I though...hypocrite.

Haha. I was just joking.....
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: werk
Originally posted by: edro13
Originally posted by: Don_Vito
I bet it will be hilarious - Ron Zimmerman, the creator, is a longtime Hollywood screenwriter and all-around very funny guy. I must say I am a bit surprised that Marvel bought off on this, but God bless 'em.

Yes, God Bless them. I hope your son reads this someday and brings home his "friend/roomate" to your Christmas dinners.
hmm...so what do you think about all the violence in comic books? You think that's making kids violent? Yeah, that's what I though...hypocrite.
Hey, you are a wanker you know that?