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Starring Northstar from MARVEL COMICS
Northstar was the first homosexual mainstream superhero in comic books.
Starring Northstar from MARVEL COMICS
Northstar was the first homosexual mainstream superhero in comic books.
He was a member of the superhero teams X-MEN and ALPHA FLIGHT, and was also the first gay superhero to star in his own comic series, and to have a wedding which was depicted in Marvel's groundbreaking X-Men title.
Northstar is most-likely the most famous gay superhero known to the public, since his comic book "outing" became a much-publicized, controversial event.
Northstar is most-likely the most famous gay superhero known to the public, since his comic book "outing" became a much-publicized, controversial event.
Hints to his true sexuality were implied throughout the run of ALPHA FLIGHT during John Byrne's initial run, perhaps as early as UXM #121 in which Northstar gives Cyclops a telling look, and even after though a later storyline which revealed Northstar to be an actual other dimensional "fairy" proved embarrassing and is pretty much ignored. Finally, in issue #106, he "came out" as a gay man to the public after finding an abandoned child with AIDS.
Jean-Paul Beaubier, alias Northstar, is a mutant capable of moving at incredible speeds. Writer-artist John Byrne first hinted at Northstar’s sexuality in Alpha Flight # 7(2/84), in which Jean-Paul is reunited with an old, presumably gay friend named Raymonde who had befriended Jean-Paul years ago when the young man was “frightened of what he thought he was, (leading) him out of that dark fear, into the bright light of self-acceptance, teaching him not to fear his mutant powers, or any other thing.” Raymonde is killed by a villain and avenged by Jean-Paul in the next issue.
Not much more is done with Northstar’s apparent orientation other than a recurrent reticence around women. A two-issue mini-series called X-Men and Alpha Flight (12/85-1/86), written by Chris Claremont, provides some veiled but nonetheless interesting interplay between Jean-Paul and a woman who has learned his (unnamed) secret.
Despite all of the hints, Northstar is not explicitly said to be gay and comes out as a gay man in a press release until Alpha Flight #106 (3/92). More significant was when Northstar joined the X-Men in 2001. Portrayed more openly gay than ever before, Northstar trades barbs with a homophobic, largely invulnerable young mutant named Paulie Provenzano. A little over a year later, in Uncanny X-Men #414, Professor Xavier invites Northstar to become a professor at his school for young mutants. He specifically seeks him out because of his gayness. As Professor X explains, “I have devoted my life to aiding those who genetic differences set them apart. We both know that ‘sexual preference’ is a misnomer. The term should more accurately be termed ‘sexual determination.’”
Readers are introduced to his first steady boyfriend in Nation X #2, Kyle Jinadu, his personal event manager and publicist that his sister hired for him. Northstar rejoins Alpha Flight reluctantly in 2011 Rejoining the X-Men in 2012 he moves in with his boy friend and proposes to him, marriage being legal in New York. Their wedding occurs in a much publicized Astonishing X-Men#51.
Reviewing Northstar’s history as a character provides a mini-seminar on the treatment of LGBT characters in comic books.John Byrne’s introduction of Jean-Paul in Alpha Flight as a gay character in all but actual name was both groundbreaking and necessarily cautious.
This is a vintage comic book from the 80's before Northstar was officially "outed", although his sexuality was often hinted at.
Wraparound cover art by Ken Steacy. "Murder by Numbers 1, 2, 3... It's As Easy to Learn... As Your A-B-C!", script by Bill Mantlo, art by Ken Steacy; Northstar's old terrorist friends are being stalked by a villain named Scourge; Scourge is using one of the prototypes of Mac's Weapon Alpha armor with some add-ons to kill the former members of Cell Combattre, Northstar's Quebecois terrorist cell; Jean-Paul comes to try to save the survivors; Alpha Flight follows, tracking him through his implant. 36 pgs., full color.
With lavish, full color artwork printed on high quality glossy paper!
This is an extremely rare issue, published by MARVEL COMICS
Highly sought after.
RARE and OUT OF PRINT! Impossible to find!
This item was never sold in any mass market retail outlets. It was only available to purchase through comic book specialty shops.
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