Like everything else, the world of comic books is moving on.
As the culture evolves, so does everything it produces — and everything that’s producing it.
Hence, expect to see your favorite superheroes framed by modern cues as we navigate the contemporary world.
And this world is notably different than the old one.
Consider Ritz’s most recent commercial:
Out of this more complex state of life and love comes a surprising storyline from Guardians of the Galaxy, courtesy of book #9.
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, installment “I Shall Make You a Star-Lord” reveals that Peter Quill — played by Chris Pratt in the film series — is bisexual.
Guardians of the Galaxy Comic Confirms Star-Lord Is Bisexual and Polyamorous https://t.co/z8MGmqcmX5
— People (@people) December 15, 2020
And not just that:
Space adventurer Peter Quill (a.k.a. Star-Lord) is shown in a polyamorous bisexual relationship…
Here’s how it happens:
[The issue] finds Quill spending almost 150 years in a strange land named Morinus where he befriends a pair of humanoids, the female Aradia and the male Mors, eventually entering into a relationship with both around the 12-year mark. “It’s been over a decade,” Quill says to the pair. “Time to accept the truth…Morinus is my home. You’re my home.”
Surely to many, it’s a bit of a shock (hence my headline). One of the main mechanisms of the film franchise is Peter’s obsession with green girl Gamora. If he’s way more of a swinging’ guy than we were led to believe, does that water down the potency of his Gamora gusto?
Continuing, might Chris Pratt be directed to dote on a dude?
It’s an interesting turn, particularly considering Pratt’s publicized faith (see here, here, and here).
ET recalled a related Christian controversy:
In February 2019, Pratt defended Hillsong Church, which he attends, after The Umbrella Academy star Elliot Page accused the church of being “infamously anti-LGBTQ.” “It has recently been suggested that I belong to a church which ‘hates a certain group of people’ and is ‘infamously anti-LGBTQ,'” Pratt wrote on Instagram. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I go to a church that opens their doors to absolutely everyone.”
As for comics’ most colossal company, a gay character is nothing new. As I covered in February, November was set to see the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first gay kiss via Eternals (the project’s release appears to have been pushed to 2021).
At the time, actor Haaz Sleiman laid it out:
“I’m married to the gay superhero Phastos, played by Atlanta’s Brian Tyree Henry, and we represent a gay family and have a child.”
About the liplock:
“[I]t’s a beautiful, very moving kiss. Everyone cried on set. For me it’s very important to show how loving and beautiful a queer family can be. Brian Tyree Henry is such a tremendous actor and brought so much beauty into this part, and at one point I saw a child in his eyes, and I think it’s important for the world to be reminded that we in the queer community were all children at one point. We forget that because we’re always depicted as sexual or rebellious. We forget to connect on that human part.”
As noted by The Daily Wire, The Avengers have seen some advocacy action as well:
[A]vengers: Endgame broke new ground with the inclusion of Grieving Man (played by co-director Joe Russo), who was seen at the very beginning of the film telling Steve Rogers about a man he was dating.
Back to Star-Lord, do you think Peter’s penchant for polyamory and bent toward bisexuality will make it to the screen?
Either way, one thing’s for sure: The world is whirring, the universe is undulating, and the Galaxy is greatly in flux.
-ALEX
See more pieces from me:
Move Over Blackface: There’s a Whole New Kind of Cultural Appropriation to Condemn
Sheriff Says Adios to the Democrat Party Over ‘Unconstitutional’ Lockdowns and a ‘Socialist Agenda’
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