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So we're reading this Marvel comic series called The Runaways, because it's one of Lee's favorites. I quite like it, actually! It's about six kids who find out that their parents are super villains who are carrying out a plan to destroy the world, so they run away from home and become super heroes to try and stop them--and then continue to do so to atone for the sins of their parents.
It's got a real sense of humor and doesn't seem to take itself too seriously, which is nice. The runaways initially fail at being super heroes, and they act like kids, and it's pretty great, actually.
There are also queer characters. Karolina, who we find out is an alien, is an in-the-closet lesbian at the beginning of the series, and has a crush on Nico. Nico is...complicated. Enter Karolina's unknown betrothed alien Skrull fiance.
Xavin: I've come to marry you! We have been betrothed to bring about a union of our people.
Karolina: I can't. I don't know you.
Xavin: If we marry, we could save two warring planets and bring about peace!
Everyone else: No! You can't just marry someone because of duty. And you can't go off to another planet you've never been to!
Karolina: I do want to save my people from genocide, but. But. I like girls.
Xavin: Oh, why didn't you say so! *changes into a girl* Skrulls are shapeshifters! And you know, it doesn't really matter to me.
So Karolina goes off into space with her new girlfriend, and Nico, who rejected her when she first confessed her feelings, gets all sadface.
Through the series Xavin basically switches back and forth between genders, and mentions several times that she/he doesn't really know what gender she/he really is, just because for a Skrull changing gender is like changing your hair. It's kind of interesting to watch the characters interact with Xavin and to see gender through the eyes of an alien.
At one point Xavin turns into a male because he says his "male form is more intimidating," and one of the girls immediately points out that that's sexist. And then Karolina is really happy when they get into a fight and Xavin accidentally reverts into her girl form again.
Basically I wish there were more volumes of this.
It's got a real sense of humor and doesn't seem to take itself too seriously, which is nice. The runaways initially fail at being super heroes, and they act like kids, and it's pretty great, actually.
There are also queer characters. Karolina, who we find out is an alien, is an in-the-closet lesbian at the beginning of the series, and has a crush on Nico. Nico is...complicated. Enter Karolina's unknown betrothed alien Skrull fiance.
Xavin: I've come to marry you! We have been betrothed to bring about a union of our people.
Karolina: I can't. I don't know you.
Xavin: If we marry, we could save two warring planets and bring about peace!
Everyone else: No! You can't just marry someone because of duty. And you can't go off to another planet you've never been to!
Karolina: I do want to save my people from genocide, but. But. I like girls.
Xavin: Oh, why didn't you say so! *changes into a girl* Skrulls are shapeshifters! And you know, it doesn't really matter to me.
So Karolina goes off into space with her new girlfriend, and Nico, who rejected her when she first confessed her feelings, gets all sadface.
Through the series Xavin basically switches back and forth between genders, and mentions several times that she/he doesn't really know what gender she/he really is, just because for a Skrull changing gender is like changing your hair. It's kind of interesting to watch the characters interact with Xavin and to see gender through the eyes of an alien.
At one point Xavin turns into a male because he says his "male form is more intimidating," and one of the girls immediately points out that that's sexist. And then Karolina is really happy when they get into a fight and Xavin accidentally reverts into her girl form again.
Basically I wish there were more volumes of this.
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