Marvel Reveals Iceman Is Gay New ‘X-Men’ Comic - WSJ

Contents:

• MARVEL’S ICEMAN JT ME OUT AS GAY
• KNOWLEDGE WAS: THE POSSIBLE HTS OVER THE YEARS THAT ICEMAN IS GAY
• STAN LEE LEARNS MARVEL CREATN ICEMAN IS GAY: 'WOW, I NEVER KNEW THAT'
• FOR LGBT FANS OF X-MEN, ICEMAN COMG OUT AS GAY HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMG
• SHOULD ICEMAN BE STRAIGHT OR GAY ?
• MARVEL'S EDOR-IN-CHIEF EXPLAS WHY 'X-MEN' CHARACTER ICEMAN CAME OUTAXEL ALONSO EXPLAS THE GENIS OF THE "VERY SENSIVE, VERY MOVG" {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}COMICSBY ALEX ZALBENAPRIL 21, 2015/4:58 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}MARVEL COMICSBY ALEX ZALBENAPRIL 21, 2015 / 4:58 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"MARVEL'S EDOR-IN-CHIEF EXPLAS WHY 'X-MEN' CHARACTER ICEMAN CAME OUT","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2015-04-21T20:58:44.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2015-04-21T20:58:44.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"ALEX ZALBEN","ARTICLESECTN":"COMICS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE AREN'T THAT MANY HOMOSEXUAL IC BOOK CHARACTERS. IN FACT, THE DITED WIKIPEDIA PAGE ONLY LISTS 99 SUPERHERO, OM ANY PUBLISHER... THAT'S PARISON TO MARVEL COMICS' PURPORTED 5,000+ CHARACTERS THE PUBLISHER TOUTED WHEN THEY WERE BOUGHT BY DISNEY BACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WHEN YOU GET TO NAME BRAND, EASILY REGNIZABLE (READ: MOVIE) CHARACTERS? THE LIST PRETTY MUCH DROPS TO ZERO, UNLS YOU'RE A REALLY BIG NORTHSTAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT'S WHY FANS REACTED SHOCK TO LEAKED PAG OM TOMORROW'S (APRIL 22) "ALL-NEW X-MEN #40," WHICH REVEAL THAT FOUNDG MEMBER OF THE X-MEN, ICEMAN, IS GAY. WE WON'T LK THE PAG HERE, BUT SUFFICE TO SAY BASED ON THE DIALOGUE -- WHERE JEAN GREY LETS ICEMAN KNOWS HE'S OVER-PENSATG WH SEXUALIZED REMARKS ABOUT FEMALE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM TO VER UP HIS HOMOSEXUALY -- 'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT ICEMAN IS 100%, FELY OUT OF THE CLOSET.MARVEL COMICSALL-NEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}COMPLITG MATTERS A WAY ONLY IC BOOKS N IS THAT THIS IS A VERSN OF ICEMAN OM BACK WHEN THE ICS FIRST LNCHED (MARVEL HAS A SLIDG TIMELE, SO WHILE TECHNILLY HE'S OM THE 1960S, ONLY A FEW YEARS HAVE PASSED IC BOOK TIME), WHO TRAVELED FORWARD TO "NOW" AND HAS MET HIS CURRENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE ISSUE, THE CHARACTERS EVEN WONR WHY, IF ICEMAN IS GAY, THAT HIS OLR SELF IS NOT. OR IS HE? AND HOW DID THIS STORY EVEN E ABOUT THE FIRST PLACE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WELL, BRIAN WROTE TO A SCRIPT," AXEL ALONSO, EDOR--CHIEF OF MARVEL COMICS TOLD MTV NEWS OVER THE PHONE. "HE'S BEEN TEASG AT FOR A WHILE, HE SENT ON TO HIS EDOR, WHO TURN SENT TO ME, AND WE STARTED A DISCSN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER BENDIS WAS "HONTLY PERSUASIVE" ON THE ISSUE, ALONSO TOOK A LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THE SNOW-POWERED X-MAN, PASSED UP THE CHA AND THE CISN WAS MA. "THAT'S THE WHOLE BORG PROCS. HE HAD A GOOD STORY TO TELL, AND WE THK 'S WORTH TELLG," ALONSO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN RECENT YEARS, MARVEL HAS HAD A TREMENDO MMENT TO DIVERSY, AT LEAST WHEN TO THE CHARACTERS ON S PAG AND ANCHORG S TL. WHERE TRADNALLY ICS HAVE BEEN LED BY WHE MEN, RECENT YEARS THE PUBLISHER HAS ADD MULTIPLE FEMALE LEADS, REPLACED CAPTA AMERI WH HIS AIN-AMERIN SIKICK THE FALN, AND EVEN CREATED TWO CREDIBLY POPULAR MULTICULTURAL LEADS WH MIL MORAL ("ULTIMATE SPIR-MAN") AND KAMALA KHAN ("MS. MARVEL").{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILL, THE CISN TO HAVE ICEMAN E OUT OF THE CLOSET WASN'T, "EDORIAL EDICT," ME OM BENDIS' STORY... AND PARTICULAR THE SCENE THE BOOK THE WRER TURNED WAS WHAT SEALED THE AL.MARVEL COMICSALL-NEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT WAS OUR SUBSEQUENT NVERSATNS ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT STORY WOULD BE THAT REALLY SOLD ME," ALONSO NTUED. "THIS IS A CHARACTER WH S OF HISTORY, AND ONE WHO WE'VE SEEN FALTER ON THE ROMANTIC STAGE -- MORE THAN ONCE. SO THE SEEDS WERE ALWAYS THERE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN FACT, THE PLAN WASN'T TO CREATE A FLURRY OF PRS OR BIG HEADL (AS HAS HAPPENED TODAY), BUT TO JT LET THE STORY SPEAK FOR SELF. INSTEAD, THE PAG LEAKED, AND NOW MARVEL IS ALG WH THE REACTN... THOUGH ACRDG TO ALONSO, THE REACTN HAS BEEN "OVERWHELMGLY POSIVE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NATURALLY, WH OUTG A PROMENT CHARACTER LIKE ICEMAN, THERE WAS NCERN. "EDORS ARE PAID TO HAVE THEIR SPIR-SENSE TGLE," ALONSO SAID, LGHG. "BUT WHAT YOU DO IS YOU THK THGS THROUGH. [BUT] X-MEN HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ULTIMATE PLAYGROUND TO SEE GROWG PAS, AND WHAT MEANS TO BE DIFFERENT. THIS IS ONE MORE SHADG OF THOSE STORI."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALONSO ALSO NOTED THAT AS THE STORY NTU "UNNNY X-MEN #600," THE STORY BENDIS IS TELLG IS, "VERY SENSIVE, VERY MOVG, I THK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOG TO RPOND TO THIS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SPEAKG OF SENSIVY, OTHER THAN THE LACK OF HOMOSEXUAL CHARACTERS ON THE PAGE, THE TREATMENT OF THE FEW LGBT CHARACTERS ICS HAVE HASN'T BEEN THE MOST SENSIVE. OFTEN WHEN A CHARACTER OUT, THAT BE THEIR FG CHARACTERISTIC, STATG, "I'M GAY," OR MENTG ON A MEMBER OF THE SAME SEX'S ATTRACTIVENS EVERY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR ICEMAN'S NEW-FOUND SEXUALY, THIS ARCHAIC PRACTICE WILL GO THE WAY OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE LOOK AT THIS AS BEG ONE SHADG OF WHO HE IS," ALONSO SAID. "I THK, PERSONALLY THAT IS GOG TO EPEN THE CHARACTER, AND HUMANIZE HIM EVEN FURTHER, AND MAKE FOR FASCATG STORI. BY THAT I AM NOT SAYG YOU ARE NOT GOG TO REGNIZE BOBBY DRAKE ANYMORE. IF YOU WERE A FAN OF BOBBY DRAKE BEFORE, IF YOU RED ABOUT HIM, I THK THIS WILL DRAW YOU CLOSER TO THE CHARACTER, NOT PH YOU AWAY OM HIM."MARVEL COMICSALL-NEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALONSO ADD TO THIS THAT, SPE THE CHARACTER'S EQUENT APPEARANCE ONSCREEN THE "X-MEN" MOVI, THIS IS SOMETHG THAT IS PURELY A IC BOOK CISN, AND DIDN'T NEED TO BE N BY FOX OR MARVEL STUDS -- OR ICEMAN ACTOR SHAWN ASHMORE, WHO ALONSO JOKED HE DIDN'T HAVE THE PHONE NUMBER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"OUR CISNS MA PUBLISHG ARE MA PUBLISHG," ALONSO ADD. "WE'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED THE LATU. WE HAVE A FEMALE THOR, AND AT THE SAME TIME, 'AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON' IS G OUT. WE'RE PAID TO NOVATE, CREATE AND LET OUR STORI TAKE TO NEW PLAC... AND THE MOVIE STUDS N FOLLOW AS THEY CHOOSE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT TIME TRAVEL. AS MENTNED, PLITG MATTERS IS THAT THE YOUNG ICEMAN IS OFFICIALLY GAY, WHILE THE OLR, NOW ICEMAN IS NOT. AT LEAST NOT OFFICIALLY. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE WOULD BE FOOLISH NOT TO AL WH THAT," ALONSO SAID. "THAT WAS THE SEND PART OF MY NVERSATN WH BRIAN. TIME TRAVEL GAVE A PLATFORM TO DISVER THE JOURNEYS OF THE YOUNG CHARACTERS. THE OBV QUTN IS THAT ONCE THE YOUNG BOBBY DRAKE HAS ACCEPTED AND EMBRACED WHO HE IS, WHAT ARE THE RAMIFITNS FOR HIS ADULT UNTERPART? IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT WILL BE ALT WH."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND SE YOU WERE WONRG, WH MARVEL'S GIANT EVENT "SECRET WARS" G UP, WHERE THE ENTIRE MARVEL UNIVERSE IS SENTIALLY STROYED AND TURNED TO ONE MASH-UP PLA LLED BATTLEWORLD, NO, ICEMAN ISN'T GOG BACK THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THIS IS WHO THE CHARACTER IS NOW," ALONSO SAID {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ALL-NEW X-MEN #40" IS ON SALE WEDNDAY, APRIL 22 OM MARVEL COMICS. "UNNNY X-MEN #600" HS STOR ON MAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}[NOTE: THE PAG HERE WERE PROVID BY MARVEL COMICS, AND ARE NOT THE LEAKED VERSNS.]{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• ‘X-MEN’ SUPERHERO ICEMAN COM OUT AS GAY NEW ISSUE
• ‘X-MEN’ CHARACTER ICEMAN OUTED AS GAY
• MARVEL REVEALS ICEMAN IS GAY NEW ‘X-MEN’ COMIC

MARVEL’S ICEMAN JT ME OUT AS GAY

The Iceman story pag are drawn by Kris a prev issue, also drawn by Anka, a time-travelg young versn of Jean Grey read the md of young Iceman, llg him out for hidg that he’s “full gay.

” Young Bobby Drake nfirmed that he is gay, but rears were left wh the cliffhanger of what that means for prent-day Iceman, who has always acted straight. Prent Iceman eventually admted that he is ed gay, sayg that he was already persecuted for beg a mutant and an X-Man and he didn’t want to add beg gay to the list. He talked about how he put that part of himself away for his entire life, and when he nsired lettg out, he would unsuccsfully try thgs to see if he was actually straight, which only nfirmed that he is gay.

KNOWLEDGE WAS: THE POSSIBLE HTS OVER THE YEARS THAT ICEMAN IS GAY

Ok, let me start this off by sayg none of this is me beg homophobic, you n choose to ll me that but judgg by the fact that some of my clost iends are part of the lgbtq muny go agast that. Ok now, we all know that iceman was revealed as gay like 5ish years ago, right.

Now, as we all know, he’s existed sce the 60s and was only revealed as gay 5 years ago so he’s had many relatnships wh women. Iceman wasn’t revealed as bi, he’s specifilly stated to be gay.

STAN LEE LEARNS MARVEL CREATN ICEMAN IS GAY: 'WOW, I NEVER KNEW THAT'

Now origally the were jt relatnships that me to an end like most real world relatnships, but him specifilly not beg bi means the relatnships were jt a gay guy so ep the closet he actively seeked out relatnships wh women who weren’t even terted him sometim, that’s jt prsg. Him beg gay also don’t make sense, as mentned he’s been many dat wh women but that’s not .

He’s one of few both fictnal and real characters that ma me go: “I’m not gay but...

FOR LGBT FANS OF X-MEN, ICEMAN COMG OUT AS GAY HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMG

And on Wednday, November 4, he me out as a gay man the pag of Unnny X-Men No.

600 (a follow-up to last April's reveal that a younger versn of the character was gay — more on this a b).

SHOULD ICEMAN BE STRAIGHT OR GAY ?

This edorial move mak one of Marvel's most inic and high-profile hero a gay man — a ttament to the pany's ongog missn to clu more diversy and make sure s ic books reflect the real world.

One of the nflicts younger Iceman fac is that he's gay, while the olr versn of himself isn't.

MARVEL'S EDOR-IN-CHIEF EXPLAS WHY 'X-MEN' CHARACTER ICEMAN CAME OUTAXEL ALONSO EXPLAS THE GENIS OF THE "VERY SENSIVE, VERY MOVG" {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}COMICSBY ALEX ZALBENAPRIL 21, 2015/4:58 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}MARVEL COMICSBY ALEX ZALBENAPRIL 21, 2015 / 4:58 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"MARVEL'S EDOR-IN-CHIEF EXPLAS WHY 'X-MEN' CHARACTER ICEMAN CAME OUT","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2015-04-21T20:58:44.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2015-04-21T20:58:44.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"ALEX ZALBEN","ARTICLESECTN":"COMICS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE AREN'T THAT MANY HOMOSEXUAL IC BOOK CHARACTERS. IN FACT, THE DITED WIKIPEDIA PAGE ONLY LISTS 99 SUPERHERO, OM ANY PUBLISHER... THAT'S PARISON TO MARVEL COMICS' PURPORTED 5,000+ CHARACTERS THE PUBLISHER TOUTED WHEN THEY WERE BOUGHT BY DISNEY BACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WHEN YOU GET TO NAME BRAND, EASILY REGNIZABLE (READ: MOVIE) CHARACTERS? THE LIST PRETTY MUCH DROPS TO ZERO, UNLS YOU'RE A REALLY BIG NORTHSTAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT'S WHY FANS REACTED SHOCK TO LEAKED PAG OM TOMORROW'S (APRIL 22) "ALL-NEW X-MEN #40," WHICH REVEAL THAT FOUNDG MEMBER OF THE X-MEN, ICEMAN, IS GAY. WE WON'T LK THE PAG HERE, BUT SUFFICE TO SAY BASED ON THE DIALOGUE -- WHERE JEAN GREY LETS ICEMAN KNOWS HE'S OVER-PENSATG WH SEXUALIZED REMARKS ABOUT FEMALE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM TO VER UP HIS HOMOSEXUALY -- 'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT ICEMAN IS 100%, FELY OUT OF THE CLOSET.MARVEL COMICSALL-NEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}COMPLITG MATTERS A WAY ONLY IC BOOKS N IS THAT THIS IS A VERSN OF ICEMAN OM BACK WHEN THE ICS FIRST LNCHED (MARVEL HAS A SLIDG TIMELE, SO WHILE TECHNILLY HE'S OM THE 1960S, ONLY A FEW YEARS HAVE PASSED IC BOOK TIME), WHO TRAVELED FORWARD TO "NOW" AND HAS MET HIS CURRENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE ISSUE, THE CHARACTERS EVEN WONR WHY, IF ICEMAN IS GAY, THAT HIS OLR SELF IS NOT. OR IS HE? AND HOW DID THIS STORY EVEN E ABOUT THE FIRST PLACE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WELL, BRIAN WROTE TO A SCRIPT," AXEL ALONSO, EDOR--CHIEF OF MARVEL COMICS TOLD MTV NEWS OVER THE PHONE. "HE'S BEEN TEASG AT FOR A WHILE, HE SENT ON TO HIS EDOR, WHO TURN SENT TO ME, AND WE STARTED A DISCSN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER BENDIS WAS "HONTLY PERSUASIVE" ON THE ISSUE, ALONSO TOOK A LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THE SNOW-POWERED X-MAN, PASSED UP THE CHA AND THE CISN WAS MA. "THAT'S THE WHOLE BORG PROCS. HE HAD A GOOD STORY TO TELL, AND WE THK 'S WORTH TELLG," ALONSO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN RECENT YEARS, MARVEL HAS HAD A TREMENDO MMENT TO DIVERSY, AT LEAST WHEN TO THE CHARACTERS ON S PAG AND ANCHORG S TL. WHERE TRADNALLY ICS HAVE BEEN LED BY WHE MEN, RECENT YEARS THE PUBLISHER HAS ADD MULTIPLE FEMALE LEADS, REPLACED CAPTA AMERI WH HIS AIN-AMERIN SIKICK THE FALN, AND EVEN CREATED TWO CREDIBLY POPULAR MULTICULTURAL LEADS WH MIL MORAL ("ULTIMATE SPIR-MAN") AND KAMALA KHAN ("MS. MARVEL").{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILL, THE CISN TO HAVE ICEMAN E OUT OF THE CLOSET WASN'T, "EDORIAL EDICT," ME OM BENDIS' STORY... AND PARTICULAR THE SCENE THE BOOK THE WRER TURNED WAS WHAT SEALED THE AL.MARVEL COMICSALL-NEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT WAS OUR SUBSEQUENT NVERSATNS ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT STORY WOULD BE THAT REALLY SOLD ME," ALONSO NTUED. "THIS IS A CHARACTER WH S OF HISTORY, AND ONE WHO WE'VE SEEN FALTER ON THE ROMANTIC STAGE -- MORE THAN ONCE. SO THE SEEDS WERE ALWAYS THERE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN FACT, THE PLAN WASN'T TO CREATE A FLURRY OF PRS OR BIG HEADL (AS HAS HAPPENED TODAY), BUT TO JT LET THE STORY SPEAK FOR SELF. INSTEAD, THE PAG LEAKED, AND NOW MARVEL IS ALG WH THE REACTN... THOUGH ACRDG TO ALONSO, THE REACTN HAS BEEN "OVERWHELMGLY POSIVE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NATURALLY, WH OUTG A PROMENT CHARACTER LIKE ICEMAN, THERE WAS NCERN. "EDORS ARE PAID TO HAVE THEIR SPIR-SENSE TGLE," ALONSO SAID, LGHG. "BUT WHAT YOU DO IS YOU THK THGS THROUGH. [BUT] X-MEN HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ULTIMATE PLAYGROUND TO SEE GROWG PAS, AND WHAT MEANS TO BE DIFFERENT. THIS IS ONE MORE SHADG OF THOSE STORI."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALONSO ALSO NOTED THAT AS THE STORY NTU "UNNNY X-MEN #600," THE STORY BENDIS IS TELLG IS, "VERY SENSIVE, VERY MOVG, I THK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOG TO RPOND TO THIS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SPEAKG OF SENSIVY, OTHER THAN THE LACK OF HOMOSEXUAL CHARACTERS ON THE PAGE, THE TREATMENT OF THE FEW LGBT CHARACTERS ICS HAVE HASN'T BEEN THE MOST SENSIVE. OFTEN WHEN A CHARACTER OUT, THAT BE THEIR FG CHARACTERISTIC, STATG, "I'M GAY," OR MENTG ON A MEMBER OF THE SAME SEX'S ATTRACTIVENS EVERY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR ICEMAN'S NEW-FOUND SEXUALY, THIS ARCHAIC PRACTICE WILL GO THE WAY OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE LOOK AT THIS AS BEG ONE SHADG OF WHO HE IS," ALONSO SAID. "I THK, PERSONALLY THAT IS GOG TO EPEN THE CHARACTER, AND HUMANIZE HIM EVEN FURTHER, AND MAKE FOR FASCATG STORI. BY THAT I AM NOT SAYG YOU ARE NOT GOG TO REGNIZE BOBBY DRAKE ANYMORE. IF YOU WERE A FAN OF BOBBY DRAKE BEFORE, IF YOU RED ABOUT HIM, I THK THIS WILL DRAW YOU CLOSER TO THE CHARACTER, NOT PH YOU AWAY OM HIM."MARVEL COMICSALL-NEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALONSO ADD TO THIS THAT, SPE THE CHARACTER'S EQUENT APPEARANCE ONSCREEN THE "X-MEN" MOVI, THIS IS SOMETHG THAT IS PURELY A IC BOOK CISN, AND DIDN'T NEED TO BE N BY FOX OR MARVEL STUDS -- OR ICEMAN ACTOR SHAWN ASHMORE, WHO ALONSO JOKED HE DIDN'T HAVE THE PHONE NUMBER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"OUR CISNS MA PUBLISHG ARE MA PUBLISHG," ALONSO ADD. "WE'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED THE LATU. WE HAVE A FEMALE THOR, AND AT THE SAME TIME, 'AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON' IS G OUT. WE'RE PAID TO NOVATE, CREATE AND LET OUR STORI TAKE TO NEW PLAC... AND THE MOVIE STUDS N FOLLOW AS THEY CHOOSE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT TIME TRAVEL. AS MENTNED, PLITG MATTERS IS THAT THE YOUNG ICEMAN IS OFFICIALLY GAY, WHILE THE OLR, NOW ICEMAN IS NOT. AT LEAST NOT OFFICIALLY. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE WOULD BE FOOLISH NOT TO AL WH THAT," ALONSO SAID. "THAT WAS THE SEND PART OF MY NVERSATN WH BRIAN. TIME TRAVEL GAVE A PLATFORM TO DISVER THE JOURNEYS OF THE YOUNG CHARACTERS. THE OBV QUTN IS THAT ONCE THE YOUNG BOBBY DRAKE HAS ACCEPTED AND EMBRACED WHO HE IS, WHAT ARE THE RAMIFITNS FOR HIS ADULT UNTERPART? IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT WILL BE ALT WH."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND SE YOU WERE WONRG, WH MARVEL'S GIANT EVENT "SECRET WARS" G UP, WHERE THE ENTIRE MARVEL UNIVERSE IS SENTIALLY STROYED AND TURNED TO ONE MASH-UP PLA LLED BATTLEWORLD, NO, ICEMAN ISN'T GOG BACK THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THIS IS WHO THE CHARACTER IS NOW," ALONSO SAID {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ALL-NEW X-MEN #40" IS ON SALE WEDNDAY, APRIL 22 OM MARVEL COMICS. "UNNNY X-MEN #600" HS STOR ON MAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}[NOTE: THE PAG HERE WERE PROVID BY MARVEL COMICS, AND ARE NOT THE LEAKED VERSNS.]{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

40 (April 2015) we found out, by way of telepathy, that the younger Iceman is a gay man.

Wh younger Iceman beg gay, olr Iceman datg women, and Jean Grey llg "a unique suatn, " there was a qutn of whether the X-Men would ultimately get to the nature-vers-nurture bate — a story that uld get really msy.

Though Iceman wasn't explicly wrten to be a gay character, his storyl and his history uld be terpreted as allegori for LGBTQ life. Iceman isn't Brian Michael Bendis's only gay character. But he also created another gay X-Man named Benjam Deeds.

‘X-MEN’ SUPERHERO ICEMAN COM OUT AS GAY NEW ISSUE

14 (2013), Deeds, like Iceman, out as gay:. "The fact that Ben has e out as homosexual is jt a small facet of who he is and what he is gog to brg to Cyclops’ select team of X-Men, " Marvel spokman Joe Taraborrelli told the Huffgton Post 2013. One of the more pellg qutns is what kd of gay character Iceman will be.

‘X-MEN’ CHARACTER ICEMAN OUTED AS GAY

There's been a trend ic books and pop culture that se gay characters troduced but then shipped off to romanc and shuttled to marriag (see: Northstar). A lot of gay characters are also often good-lookg whe men (see: Northstar, Iceman, Deeds, Wicn, etc. It's been a very one-dimensnal, "rpectable" view of gay life that's often void of sex or, more simply, imperfectn and discretn.

MARVEL REVEALS ICEMAN IS GAY NEW ‘X-MEN’ COMIC

"I do fd fascatg that really wh the last 10 years and relatively recent tim, there's been a gay character clud most mastream edi and shows, which is great, " ic book wrer Mark Millar told me while talkg about his ic book Juper's Circle.

It's weird that there's this versn of gay characters seen, pecially Amerin shows, as people who are almost sexualized, " he said.