(RNN) – The mystery is revealed: Green Lantern will become DC Comic's most high profile gay character in June. No, it's not that Green Lantern.
Alan Scott, the first man to wield the green power ring in 1940, is welcomed home with a kiss from his boyfriend in the upcoming issue of Earth 2. DC featured a multi-page preview of the story on its online blog.
On Friday, Entertainment Weekly spoke with the comic's writer, James Robinson. He pointed out to EW that Scott, who had been heterosexual, would not be coming out in the traditional sense.
Instead, the superhero's change was part of his introduction in the "New 52" reboot of the DC Universe.
"The original version of Alan Scott was an older man, and he had a superpowered son, Obsidian, who was gay," Robinson said. "The fact that Scott was young [thanks to the reboot] now meant Obsidian no longer existed. I thought it was a shame that DC was losing such a positive gay character.
"I said, ‘Why not make Alan Scott gay?' To [DC co-publisher] Dan DiDio's credit, when I suggested it to him, there wasn't a moment's hesitation."
On May 20, DiDio made the initial announcement at a London comic convention, but did not say who it would be. DC officials only said it would be a "major" and "iconic" character that had not been seen since the new launch of the company's titles in 2011.
Many people associate the title of Green Lantern to Hal Jordan, the member of the Justice League of America alongside Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Jordan, the most famous "Emerald Knight," also was portrayed in the 2011 movie.
But Scott came along nearly two decades prior. And he has been a fixture of the DC Universe for more than 70 years, most notably as a member of the Justice Society of America.
Robinson said the changes made would merely be aspects of the hero's life; they would not define him.
"He's an interesting, complex character that I think people will respond to on many levels. He's the epitome of heroism. And I hope that he's a positive representation of a gay man."
Marvel Comics, the other major publisher, announced they would be featuring the first same-sex marriage seen in its pages. On June 20, Astonishing X-Men No. 51 will show the wedding ceremony for Northstar, a male member of the superhero group, and his longtime boyfriend.
Copyright 2012 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
The Green Lantern of the series 'Earth 2' will be reintroduced as a gay man in June. (Source: DC Comics)
Alan Scott embraces his boyfriend in the upcoming 'Earth 2' No. 2. (Source: DC Comics)
