Fun - Inspired by my own Halloween outfit from a few weeks ago and the new superpowered TV series (E4), I've selected some of the best existing male (ish) gay superheroes. Here are the results in no particular order (just like all the best results shows!)




1. HULKLING AND WICCAN
The most constant couple in the Young Avengers just happen to be adolescent men. They have been together and openly gay since the group's formation in 2006. Highlights include the couple trying to 'come out' to their parents about being superpowered, only to have (mis)understanding mothers announce how happy they are about the relationship. Wiccan was formerly known as 'Asgardian' (mistakenly believing himself a young Thor-like character) but changed it to avoid homophobic jokes.



2. ANOLE
Another young version of a popular group, Anole belongs to the X-men family, but should probably have taken a leaf out of Wiccan's book and re-examined the potential for abuse of his name...He was introduced in 2003, and initially supposed to commit suicide over the intolerance he faced. Luckily the writers changed their minds and he was given a gay mentor in the form of Northstar, encouraging him to become the popular character he is now. By the way, his lizard like qualities mean he has a prehensile tongue...just saying.





3. NORTHSTAR
Was the first gay character in the Marvel Universe, conceived in 1979, but as the Comics Code Authority prevented an open approach to sexuality, he did not 'officially' come out until as late as 1992. He also adopted a baby with AIDS and worked to highlight the problem. He even published a memoir of his life as a gay mutant called 'Born Normal'.





4. BRIAN FALSWORTH (Union Jack II)
I wanted to stick a British one in here, and chronologically speaking he is one of the first, as this character comes from the 1930s. As Union Jack (a bit like a British Captain America) he fights the Nazis after his partner is captured by German scientists and turned into a one-foot tall strong man - gutted.






5. RICTOR AND SHATTERSTAR
One of the newest couples has been a long time coming. For many years these two X-Factor characters have had an ambiguous relationship. Rictor has previously been portrayed as bisexual, and Shatterstar as asexual, they finally shared a passionate kiss this year.





6. ULTIMATE COLOSSUS
The 'Ultimate Universe' is a parallel version of the one you may know containing the usual assortment of X-men. It was conceived to re-launch existing characters to a new audience who couldn't keep up with continuity. One of the many subtle changes was that Colossus, previously known for his relationship with Kitty Pryde, was enamoured of another of his teammates, Wolverine!







7. XAVIN
This one is really complicated, which is why I love it. Xavin is a shapeshifting warrior alien, arranged to be married to Karolina, another alien, for political peace. But oops, Karolina is a lesbian. No, worries, Xavin changes sex when he's 'with' her. After a shaky start the pair seem to fall in love, but all concepts of gender and sexuality are thrown out the window - it's the definition of 'queer'.






8. LORD FANNY
Diverging now from my Marvel biased list to more adult publishers Vertigo Comics's 'The Invisibles'. Hilde Morales comes from a line of magical women, who's power is passed down the female line. Except Hilde is a man. So they raise him as a woman - say hello to a Brazilian transvestite superhero with an excellent name!







9. THE WATCHMEN
Now a big film, Alan Moore's Watchmen contains a host of closeted gay characters whose sexuality was used against them in an intolerant era. Notable for the idea of 'normal' people playing at being superheroes, and hiding their true identity.







10. THOM CREED
And finally, a superhero not from a comic! 'Hero' by Perry Moore is a novel about a young gay superhero in training and the difficult relationship with his father, who is already a famous hero and non-too keen for his son to take the spotlight. It's quite moving, and had a nice balance between angst and action that isn't always given enough time in comics.




That was just a small sample of the gayness that exists out there in the illustrated world (don't get me started on manga) and often even the non-gay superheroes are very liberal and represent equality - the X-men are currently fighting a bill known as Proposition X - sound familiar? If you have any other suggestions post them below.