As Pride Month comes to a close, Marvel Comics celebrates their fan favorite queer heroes in an anthology one shot comic, “Marvel Voices Pride #1.” Featuring 12 stories by various writers and artists, focusing on a range of LGBTQ characters from Marvel lore and a whopping 15 same sex kisses across the issue- 16 if you get Kris Anka’s gorgeous variant cover- this anthology is just what queer fans of comics need, while also shining a light on characters for new readers.
Beginning with an introduction by Luciano Vecchio focusing on major gay moments in Marvel Comics history, the issue then cycles through various stories, some lengthy, others as short as a single page, highlighting superstar LGBTQ heroes. While not every single queer character gets featured- America Chavez, Julie Power and Rawhide Kid are barely mentioned- those that are here have meaningful tales to tell and consistently gorgeous artwork from superstars like Anka, Vecchio, Claudia Aguirre and Jim Cheung.
The stories themselves each have fascinating new angles on much loved Marvel heroes. The short but sweet “Under the Stars” showcases a well earned date night between “Runaways” power couple Nico Minoru and Karolina Dean, while “Something New Every Day,” written by trans writer Lilah Sturges, has a creative take on trans issues framed through a raid by Elektra Natchios as the new Daredevil.
Each story brings new depth to the featured characters and has lots of well thought out Easter Eggs for longtime fans of Marvel’s famous lore. Special mention must be given to “Early Thaw,” a story that begins as Bobby Drake AKA Iceman coming to terms with his sexuality, but surprisingly features one of the best moments for longtime X-Men villain Magneto. If you’re a Magneto fan, you must read this story.
The lengthy “Totally Invulnerable” is a highlight, in which “She-Hulk” villain Titania mistakes a trans cosplayer for her arch nemesis, while the two page “The Man I Know” is a simple morning routine for X-Man Northstar and his husband Kyle- and lots and LOTS of muscles. “The Grey Ladies” is a twist filled exploration of the marriage between Mystique and Destiny, and “Man of His Dreams” introduces a new gay character, Somnus, set to make his mark in next year’s “X-Men” comics.
Speaking of “X-Men,” Vita Ayala and Joanna Estep’s heartwarming and profound “You Deserve” is the book’s MVP. The “New Mutants” writer brings a depth to the tale of Karma struggling to ask out her crush without using her mutant mind control powers on her, a problem that could only exist in the X-Verse, and it’s handled beautifully.
To add to the book’s already substantial value, the issue also includes a breakdown of major LGBTQ moments over the decades in Marvel’s comics, a reprint of Northstar’s historic coming out moment in “Alpha Flight #106,” AND a “Love is Love” spread by Jacopo Camagni, featuring characters from the one shots and beyond at a Pride march.
For pretty much every kind of Marvel Comics fan, this issue strikes a chord. There’s representation abound and the creators don’t skimp on showing the affectionate romance for these star couples, something that most series featuring these heroes doesn’t do. Even Nico and Karolina joke that they finally get a night to themselves that doesn’t involve chaos!
But beyond the volume of representation here, there’s a sky high amount of acceptance. While admittedly, Marvel’s on screen representation in their films has been lacking, this comic assures that love is love and no one should feel left out because of their orientation. The LGBTQ couples here are given the same respect and reverence as any other heterosexual couple and that’s a huge step in the right direction.
“Marvel Voices Pride #1” is a breath of fresh air for queer comics and even for Marvel Comics in general. There’s tons of heart here and all the attention to detail that Marvel is known for is applied to each and every character here. Hopefully, this is the first of many Pride stories to come for the publisher.
“Marvel Voices Pride #1” is now available wherever comics are sold.