October was a big month if you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a Marvel comic book character or fan. Twenty LGBTQ+ characters have appeared in thirteen titles in both lead and supporting roles last month. While some of these were characters continuing the action from previous issues, there were plenty of new developments.
Psylocke and Iceman both enjoyed new titles in Excalibur and Marauders respectively, with the cover of Excalibur including Rictor. Also, the cover of Marauders #5 was released, revealing that Emma Frost’s brother Christian plays a role. Another late addition to the “Dawn of X” titles was revealed to be Bling! joining Fallen Angels. Meanwhile House of X showed Mystique gaining a seat of the quiet counsel, under the demand that her love, Destiny be brought back to life.
If that ticking time bomb wasn’t enough to warrant notice: Death’s Head wrapped up, providing us with more Wiccan/Hulkling relationship growth. In Strike Force, Angela gets seduced by a shapeshifter impersonating Satana. While over in Agents of Atlas, the head of Pan is planning to manipulate the budding relationship between Giant-Man and new character Protector of Pan.
In subtle news we also get to learn the pansexual, occasional gender shifting Loki’s preferred pronoun (he/him or they/them) and supporting character Lisa in Valkyrie finally mentions that the ex that is always referenced is female (America Chavez). In grander news we are given two new character to the LGBTQ+ family; Isaac Ikeda the aforementioned Protector of Pan and Vee, the 5th version of Death’s Head who comments on how cute Hulkling looks as a Death Head.
In comparison to October 2018 there is over a 40% increase of titles with LGBTQ characters and over a 50% increase in distinct, original LGBTQ+ characters (in 2018 we had multiple Icemen and Valkyries). Marvel definitely has more room to grow in terms of representation, but the progress gives this reader hope.
