Some hero characters in the realm of comics resonate and give comfort in this life situation. The ones most cited are the "X-Men." Outcast mutants, they are hated and mistrusted by the very world they've sworn to save. What a dilemma, right? Save the world that hates you? Sounds familiar. None of these characters were openly gay decades ago but the subtext was written large for any put-upon group that identified with them.
The heroes who helped me survive my own growing up in the Land of Homophobia back in the &*#'s were the "Legion of Super-Heroes." They're considered a minor branch of the DC Universe, living 1,000 years in the future of whenever you're reading this. For example, in 1969 they lived in the year 2969. (Not that I was even born yet, but I read things.) Nowadays, they live in the year 3013. Inspired by the legend of Superboy from their ancient history lessons these super-powered teens from planets all across the universe gathered to fight the good fight, defeat evil, save the world, basically do good wherever they could. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legion_of_Super-Heroes
They also took the name "Legion" seriously. The cast of heroes was enormous. No story could easily incorporate all of them at once because there were so many. And their powers teetered on the absurd: for example, Matter-Eater Lad came from the planet Bismoll and he could eat and digest any substance, like a criminal's gun, perhaps, or he could eat a way out of a trap. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matter-Eater_Lad
The secret identity thing didn't seem as important in the future. None of these kids with the wacky powers seemed to hide their true identity. Was this a sign of hope? That someday in the far-flung future identities wouldn't need to stay hidden? The future looked bright.
In West Hollywood, geeky comic culture may seem far removed. Unless, that is, you note that all the gym-toned, buff muscle bodies walking around Santa Monica Blvd. would be right at home illustrated in the pages of the comics. Just add capes. Wouldn't the West Hollywood Sneer™be deployed if one even mentioned a love of -- gasp -- comics? Maybe not.
Shortly after we moved here I was walking home from the gym one day and ran into our handsome neighbor guy across the street watering his apartment building's plants. He was a great guy who always pitched in to help around his building and volunteered for the neighborhood watch. I stopped to chat a moment and noticed the tattoo on his forearm.
"Is that Star Boy?" I asked. It sure looked like the bearded, crew-cut Star Boy in the stars-on-black costume from the 70s to me.
Neighbor hunk dropped his hose and told me he had sworn to marry the first gay man who knew that. It was a sweet thought but I'm taken was my reply. Forever after that he was known to us as "Star Boy." And he eventually added Wildfire and Dawnstar to his body. Invisible Kid? May be there already but I didn't inquire.
So, geeks live among us and some of them fly their geek flag proudly.
But the main reason I bring up this subject is this: last week DC ended the Legion comics title. Nothing has been the same since the New 52 reboot of the entire DC lineup but Legion has been so poorly written and drawn and the mythology messed up so much that I can't say I'm really sad that it's ending. As with everything in comics, nothing ever really dies forever. They bring back heroes all the time, and I'm certain these beloved characters will enjoy a resurrection in the future. I just hope it's not a thousand years in the future.
Long live the Legion!
