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Well, were a few weeks away from Green Lantern #154 and already
the hype and frenzy have started. This thing has been talked about all
over in the media. Ive seen the Donahue interview, Ive read numerous
articles and Ive read through the message boards. Now, I figure its time
for me to throw in my two cents. Why? Because I like Green Lantern.
Hes been my favorite character concept since I was a kid. From Hal to
Kyle, everyone in-between, before, and the GL Corps. All are/were
people who were just normal members of their respective races given
the opportunity to become something greater than what they ever
thought they could be. Now our current GL, Kyle Rayner, is going to
have to handle something that his ring cant fix. Kyles assistant Terry is
going to be the victim of a gay bashing.
Now before I get going, this is a soapbox you see standing here
beside me. I will do my best to stay off of it, but Im just throwing that
information out there. With that said, let me expand on what the story
beginning in GL #154 is going to deal with. Kyle is going to find out that
his assistant Terry has been beaten because of his sexual orientation.
We will also see how those in Terrys life deal with what has happened
to him. Most importantly we will see how Kyle deals with it. The man
with the "most powerful weapon in the universe" has to decide what he
will, or will not, do with his power. Reduced to the most simplistic idea
this story is about how a person deals with a friend receiving severe
physical harm. Do they do nothing? Seek revenge? Find a way to bring
those who did the harm to justice? Like I said, those are the most
simplistic terms, in my opinion, but throw it into the comic book medium
with an icon character (at least concept if you dont like Kyle) and base
the reason for harm on sexual orientation and youve got one heck of a
stew. One everyone has their opinion on.
Like I said, Ive seen and read a whole lot about whats coming up
and what people think. For the most part its been OK, but Ive rolled my
eyes many times over points people have made, or attempted to,
regarding what will be happening soon in the pages of Green Lantern.
Now I dont roll my eyes because people say things that I dont agree
with. Everyone is welcome to their opinion. I dont see mine as more
right than anyone elses. However, I do have a problem with people
reducing these upcoming issues to such narrow terms. These issues are
going to hit different people on different levels. Many folks are dealing
with just one level, the one in their mind they know the most about as
compared to other people. What Im going to do here is lay out what I
see as the various layers this upcoming story can been seen on. As I go
along Ill let you know where I stand, and you can disagree with me or
agree with me. I do ask though that if youre going to continue reading
this article that you be prepared to try see the layers Im talking about.
If you cant you cant and thats just the way it is, but please try. If you
dont want to think outside your opinion stop reading now and save
yourself some grief. Now to the layers as I see them.
Layer 1 - Is it a comic book story?
Ok, now strip out the specific issue of gay bashing. Look at the story
from the stance of it being a real world (no pun intended to those of
you who get it) theme. Is it acceptable for comics to deal with realistic
themes? Should comics include aspects of everyday life, or should
they be about people with extraordinary abilities dealing with
extraordinary situations? I mean, dont we get enough exposure to the
real world and the aspects of it in our own daily lives? Shouldnt comics
be an exit from reality so that we can escape all those things we want to
get away from when we rub our temples to relax?
There isnt a correct answer to this one folks, its up to you.
For me, what I want and accept depends on the comic. I like to see some
real world stuff in my characters lives when it comes to the single
character comics I read. It creates a better connection for me. It brings
me a little closer to that character and involves me more in that comic.
However, in comics like JLA and Avengers I dont want to see much, if
any, real world flavor. Those teams are together to fight huge problems
and thats what I want to see in their books. For example, I didnt want
to read about Wonder Womans personal issues in recent issues of JLA.
In my opinion, that was a story that should have been done in her title.
Did I get those issues of JLA? Yes. Did I enjoy them? Not much. Did I
complain? Yep, I gave my opinion. Did I complain or rant that my
opinion was the most valid? Heck no. That last point there is what a lot
of people are getting themselves wrapped up in. You know, that their
opinion is the most valid, but Ill hammer on that later.
So now its decision time for the first layer. Do you think that a
story with a real world theme belongs in the pages of a comic book? If
you think that they do or that its fine at times move on to the next layer.
If youre adamantly against it then save yourself some grief and dont
read any series, or specific issues like this one, that deal with them.
Minimize your blood pressure and keep yourself happy. When youre
happy you complain less, which causes others that you complain to less
irritation. Forward to the second layer.
Layer 2 - Opinions and personal spin.
Can you deal with how others see the world? Lets try and find out.
Will this upcoming story have personal spin? Probably. Opinion?
Definitely. It doesnt matter who you think is responsible for this story.
If its from the mind of Bob Shreck, Judd Winick, Ron Marz (all have
apparently been involved in creating this story) or any combination of
them there is going to be opinion in it. There is going to be personal
spin in the storys conception and execution. It doesnt matter who does
it. Is Winick putting a lot of personal spin on it? Most likely. Hes had
things that have happened in his life that give him a connection to the
story hes writing. We all tell a story as we see fit, intentionally and
not.
There is no story, fictional or otherwise, that doesnt have our opinions
somewhere in it. Even Mr. Bill O'Reillys "No Spin Zone" has it. His
opinion is the spin because people like him. His opinions influence
theirs. Its personal spin. Its unavoidable. Thats why we play the game
Rumor in the classroom at a young age, so we can see that even when
we do our best to keep the story straight it just isnt likely to happen.
Oh, and if youre wondering I think OReilly is OK. Sometimes I agree
with him, sometimes I dont, but thats how the real world works.
What we need to have is the ability to "listen" to the opinions
of others when were reading a story. You dont have to accept it, but
you should acknowledge the opinion as belonging to someone else.
That doesnt put your stamp of approval on it in any way. It just allows
you to say "I listened," which is more than a lot of people can say. I
cant think of an entertainment or art medium that doesnt have personal
opinion or spin to it. Can you? If you can please email me, because its
just more knowledge for me to have.
Now its time for you to deal with the second layer. Are you
willing to listen to the opinion(s) that are going to be presented in this
upcoming story? Im not saying you have to agree, but Im asking if you
can take the time to listen. If you can then go on to the next layer once
more. If you dont want to read Winicks opinion then dont read the
issue. Also, if you dont like to honestly listen to the opinions of others
in general youd probably be better off removing yourself from society
all together. If you want to still be a part of society get ready to deal
with a lot of anger and disappointment. Off we go to layer three.
Layer 3 - A token character?
Oh boy, are you read for the fun? Now, WITHOUT thinking of this
upcoming story you have to ask yourself a question. Is Terry a gay
character or a character that is gay? That really depends on your
opinion and what YOU CHOOSE to see him as. I see Terry as Kyles
assistant, and he just happens to be a gay teen. Now, for THIS story
Terry is a gay character. There isnt much argument with that point.
This is about a gay bashing, hence the character is first and foremost
gay. If the character werent gay then it would just be a beating a
mugging or something along those lines.
Now this is where I get a little opinionated, so brace yourselves.
Ive been reading comments from various individuals about how Terry is just
there to be a token gay character so that these kinds of things can
happen to him. No, not beatings but the "lets deal with this gay issue"
thing in the pages of Green Lantern. If Terry dies then people do have
an honest gripe about him being a token character that was pretty much
introduced so that this story would have more emotional significance to
the readers. However, if Terry survives then we have no idea of his
future. For all we know he could be a future member of the GL Corps
once it restarts. Course all of you out there already calling Terry a
token must know either one of two things. Those things being that
Terry dies, or his complete character future.
Ready for some frightening perspective? Characters are in stories
because theyre important. Things are supposed to happen to them.
Their personalities and other characteristics dictate what they do and
also allow them to be a plot device for what will happen. You know what
would happen if this upcoming gay bashing were to happen to a
character we had never seen before? Nothing. Oh sure, GL might chase
them down an alley but once that was done either they would be
captured or they would escape and GL would give information over to
the police, likely ending his involvement. This story is about how GL
deals with what has happened to a friend. They decided to have the
character be gay to add more social significance to it. A bad choice?
Thats up to you to decide for yourself, not for others to decide for you.
Will Winick handle the subject matter well? I doubt all of us are going to
agree on that, even after the issue is out.
Is this starting to sink in yet folks? No? Lets try this nice and
simple explanation. If a character in a story (comic, movie, TV, etc.) has
a name they are important, things will happen to them, thats why they
have a name. If then dont have a name imagine them being a red shirt
from the original Star Trek series. They are there for an instant and then
gone by either wandering on or getting blown away. Their greatest
significance is to raise a body count total and/or increase shock value. I
really dont think it can be explained any simpler than that. If youre
still not getting it then get a quarter and buy a clue. Better yet, buy a calling
card and connect with reality because you two have obviously been out
of touch for quite a while and youll need plenty of time to catch up.
Its decision time again. You know how I see Terry in general and
how I see him for this specific issue. There isnt a choice on what he is
in this story to me. Hes a plot tool, as some characters are from time to
time. I know that. The question for you is when all is said and done will
you see Terry as a character that is gay or a gay character named Terry.
If you believe you will see the former then enjoy the story and what is to
come after it. If you believe you will see the latter then just stop
reading GL until you know Terry is gone from the pages of the series. If youre
gay or not youre making the choice as how you see Terry, just like I
made a choice. Now for those of you who are still looking at getting the
issue lets look at the last layer.
Layer 4 - Personal ideal threat.
Oh, the lovely name calling that goes hand in hand when
dealing with anything that involves our differing perspectives on the
world. Which, in case youre keeping score, is just about every single
thing you interact with in the world. Rip out the basic concept of a story
where someones friend is hurt. Shred the superhero that is involved
with the story. Now take away Terrys name and what do you have left?
A few characters in a comic, one of which just happens to be a teenager
who is gay. Nothing major? Oh I wish that were so.
Now to me this idea shouldnt even be a problem, but it is. There
are people out there that dont want this issue out on the shelves because it
puts the gay lifestyle into some sort of "socially acceptable" wrapping,
and that scares them. I mean, people caring about what happens to a
gay person? What a shocking world we live in. Yet we still have folks
who believe that out of sight is out of mind. To that, I say why dont
they ask a blind person what they think of the gay culture. If they have
an idea of what the gay culture is then that "out of sight . . . " thing
obviously doesnt work. Excuse the poor humor but sometimes thats
the only way to get a point across. Do you understand that you cant
remove everything you dont want yourself, or others, exposed to from
every form of communication that exists? Someone will get it out there,
you will be exposed to their ideas. The sooner you understand that the
better.
Some folks seem to think that by portraying the gay lifestyle in any
kind of media, especially in a positive light, that society will suffer and
fall into some horrible form. Here is an idea for you folks that think like
that. Lets work on the things you saw as "social problems" that existed
BEFORE the gay culture was what it is today. Why dont you get rid of
the suffering in our society that existed before you were scared of the
roots that todays gay culture has? Why dont you show for certain that
the gay culture is a bad thing? What are your arguments? You say it
doesnt perpetuate the species? Well, GOOD. Were getting
overcrowded on this planet anyway, we need a balance. Dont like that
point huh? Try this one. How about giving gay couples the opportunity
to adopt a child that somebody else didnt want? Those kids need
parents too. I mean, its not like theyll make the kid gay. If that were
the case heterosexual parents would make heterosexual kids, and weve seen
thats not the guaranteed case. Oh, oh . . . Ive got it . . . lets argue that by
having a gay character in a comic book were saying "its OK to choose
to be gay." Guess what, we dont have any certainty if being gay is a
choice, genetics, or a combination of the two. If youre scared of the gay
culture, fine. If you dont like the gay culture, fine. If its "icky" to
you, fine. If religion/faith tells you its wrong, fine. Just do the world a
favor and dont regurgitate your severe distaste for the gay culture, and
members of it, to kids and adults that have yet to form their own
opinions. Give your opinion, but dont use fear and loathing to back it
up because thats just pathetic. After all, isnt that why you dont want
stories like this in the pages of Green Lantern? So that the gay culture
cant sway people to view their culture in a positive fashion? Why is it
OK for you to try and knowingly sway others to your view? Something
folks like you would do well to remember is that one of the main parts to
being a decent person is avoiding becoming the thing you hate.
Oh, and lets not forget you gay folks. It wouldnt be fair to say
youve done everything right regarding your responses to this GL issue,
now would it? Would you please do me, and the rest of society, a huge
favor and stop labeling people who dont agree with your views and
your lifestyle as "homophobic." Ive seen that word thrown around so
much on the message boards recently its pathetic. Usually its uttered
because an individual has said nothing more than that they dont want
to read about gay issues in their comic. Thats fine. Thats their
opinion. Who are you to tell them what they should and shouldnt
accept? Isnt that why you fight against people who try to portray the
gay culture as some horrible thing? So that people will take the time to
try and understand and make their own choices? Some people have
already made their choices. If theyre not blatantly vicious and hurtful
let them be.
Then we have the gay folks that dont want a "token" gay
character, but heaven forbid if someone who isnt big on gay culture
doesnt like the character or story. Give me a break. Also, dont berate
someone just because they start their input with the phrase "I have a gay
friend . . ." or some similar comment. They may just be trying to let you
know that while they may not agree with you or your lifestyle they are
working to understand it. Shutting someone down like that when theyre
making an effort may just turn them away or make them angry. You dont
believe them? Fine. Deal with your mistrust yourself though. Let them
have their say respectfully if you want yours respected. If you want to
berate someone who hasnt made a nasty comment then you run the risk
of having them close out your views from that point on. A little bit of
insight from a comedian named Carlos Mencia for you folks. When you
ask for equality you get everything that comes with it. You get
misunderstandings, you become the butt of jokes, and you get your
stereotypes made fun of. Just like EVERYONE ELSE. Oh, and you get
one more thing. You get to play the waiting game as society adapts and
accepts your culture. Theyre still doing it with racial/ethnic minority
cultures that were fighting for equality before your culture was where it
is today. What makes you think your culture is going to be adapted to
over night? Time to borrow that quarter or get that calling card. Youd
do well to keep that concept of not becoming the thing you hate in mind
too.
All right, so youre wondering what in the world that rant had to do
with the comic right? Well its my response to the crap (yes CRAP) that
Ive seen people throwing about on the message boards regarding this
upcoming GL story. We have a story about a serious issue here folks.
Someone is going to be beaten just because theyre different. It has
happened, it will continue to happen, thats a fact. Hopefully some day it
wont happen anymore. However, as long as we have people shredding
what would be a socially impacting story just because they dont think
its appropriate, or its not told the way THEY would tell it things wont
change. As long as people are driven by the desire to be right there
wont be agreement.
Do me a favor and look at a clock with a pendulum some time. Look
at the pendulum and its full swing range. Now, think about an issue that
you have an opinion on. Imagine the most extreme opposite views of
that issue existing at the furthest swing to the left and right, each
pushing their view at the other side. Now, your side of the issue can be
on the right or left side of the midpoint of the pendulums swing. Go wild
and think of it on the left side if its considered a "right wing" view.
Have a little fun. So now look at the issue as represented by the
pendulums range. Place your opinion at some point covered by the
swing of the pendulum, keeping in mind where the extreme
views/opinions on the issue are. Be honest with yourself. Now ask
yourself where the pendulum spends most of its time. Is it at the most
extreme points more often, or towards the middle? Where do you think a
person that understands the most about both sides would place
themself? Until that one person stands in the middle and helps each side
understand the other, or until everyone is willing to meet in the middle to
talk, that pendulum will swing. Now, when youre done actually reading
this story what are you going to do? Are you going to see the layers,
think on the message, and try to see how others view it? Or, are you
going to choose to use it as a means to try and make your opinion the
right one?
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