Batman’s on and off again best friend is queer.
For those who are caught up on the latest issues of Batman, a uniquely interesting character has found prominence in Gotham following the unruly Joker War named Ghost-Maker. Once a friend of Bruce Wayne’s as they travelled the world and trained together, their friendship was torn apart rather quickly and the two have only just recently connected again. As combative and arguably cute as their friendship may be, we are here to talk about something else.
Batman #106 by Tynion IV, Jimenez, Morey, Cowles
Ghost-Maker first appeared in Batman #100 at the climax of the Joker War and rather quickly becomes entangled in Batman’s own mission within Gotham. His presence at first is a mystery to readers but we soon learn of his ties to Bruce and why he is so passionate about fighting crime. The final pages of Batman #107 features a short story centered on Ghost-Maker himself by writer James Tynion IV, artist Ricardo Lopez, colorist Tomeu Morey and letterer Clayton Cowles and it proves once more his devotion to taking on villains anywhere. But it’s also one that wastes no time in showing the character is bringing even more queer representation to Gotham. Set against the backdrop of DC’s very first pride special upcoming this June and an undeniable emphasis on not just diverse characters but also creative teams, this move is a welcome one indeed.
So why exactly would a move like this be problematic?
Despite the steps that DC has taken, it’s clear there are still plenty yet to be had for the publisher. The panels that we see which are meant to establish Ghost-Makers’ queerness once more fall into the pitfalls of not showing anything actually on the panel. He’s shown getting out of bed leaving behind both a man and woman, even calling the man handsome. We’re meant to draw our own conclusions from his “carnal bliss” comment but with nothing shown on the panel we’re left to our own curiosity about what this flirtatious back and forth really means. Because of that indirectness, the sequence just falls flat. It comes across as a hesitancy to show queerness, instead opting to allude to it instead.
Batman #107 by Tynion IV, Jimenez, Morey, Cowles
On its own, maybe this wouldn’t be worth mentioning. It might not even be noticeable. But unfortunately there is a precedent for this type of representation that DC seemingly sees fit to continuing. It’s something that has been done quite often in the past and even as recently as the February Valentine’s Special where our own contributor Duna Haller wrote extensively on the hesitation to show queer couples such as Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy kissing on the panel. A Valentine’s Day special where the queer couples can’t or won’t actually kiss?
What we see from the Ghost-Maker is certainly no Valentine’s Day special as this brief moment is meant to reflect his promiscuous tendency, tapping into his global influences and willingness to go along with the variety of life. We’ve learned of his relationship with Bruce Wayne and the closeness of their journeys in the arc leading up to the Future State event and despite knowing of his origins, motivations and more, his queerness isn’t something that is touched on. In Batman #107 we get a nod to a threesome with just enough fun banter to suggest the fact that maybe Ghost-Maker may not be a straight man. So instead of budding representation serving as a loud precursor for the upcoming Pride Special in June and a commitment to breaking boundaries, we get a passing glance confined within transparent heteronormative standards.
Batman #107 by Tynion IV, Jimenez, Morey, Cowles
Even then, it is clear that DC is in fact taking steps to progress their voice in comics and bring in some much needed diversity and queerness. While Ghost-Makers’ introduction into this developing approach is on the weaker side, it isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s a process made complicated by varying choices such as what we see here in Batman #107 and the Valentine’s Day Special with a chance for redemption in June during Pride month. When we look at the greater picture there is hope to be had that DC is moving in the right direction and Ghost-Makers’ implied queerness is just one of many steps that is gradually carrying the publisher’s lineup to where it needs to be.
Is the representation that Ghost-Maker brings on his own enough? No. But alongside some of the other more exciting and even tangible steps that DC is taking to highlight the representation they have while bringing more into the fold, it can and probably should be seen as a good thing. There are commitment issues that need to be addressed, such as following up on Ghost-Makers’ queerness with something actually on the panel for example, but there is a way forward. DC has already shown the world they are on that path so it’s time to commit and do better than insinuating diversity within heteronormative expectations.
With a bit of determination and maybe some luck, the DC Pride Celebration Special this June will do just that and allow the publisher the chance to do what they came up short with for Ghost-Maker in Batman #107. A chance to bring real and lasting representation, a chance to show that queerness doesn’t always have to exist within the comfort of straight people and a chance to define their own path forward with proud inclusivity.