The LGBT story that resonated with me the most was the 5YL Legion of Superheroes (1989 if you’re not familiar with it) They aged the Legion 5 years, and as adults, they made life choices that were unheard of back then in comics. Lightning Lass and Shrinking Violet became a couple. Shvaughn Erin was essentially transgender and reverted back to her male Sean, and Element Lad stayed despite because he loved the person. Even Mekt Ranzz (Lightning Lord) got a hunky boyfriend. This was so encouraging to me as a teenager, and on rereading them, makes me proud to be a Legion fan. It was groundbreaking 25 years ago, and still send a powerful message in 2016.
What I’d like to tell creators/companies is to take chances. Iceman is the perfect example of how it works, but don’t shoehorn or do things for shock value, because that just cheapens the message you are trying to get across.
Justin G. Allen is the co-host of The Comic Book Bears Podcast that you can listen and download here and like their Facebook page too!
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