World outside your window
I wasn’t an avid comic book reader in my youth. My exposure was limited to a few issues of various sci-fi comics that my girlfriend had lying around. When I was bored I would pick up an X-Men issue or some other super hero. I loved the visuals and I was of course drawn to the female characters … the ones that kicked ass, not the frail ones that were waiting around to be rescued. Oh please!
Even though most stories told in the comics were a bit beyond reality, what with their big alien monsters and mega super powers, they always seemed to me to be a better world than the one outside my window, evil monsters notwithstanding. The X-Men series became one of my favorites since they were essentially mutants, the ultimate outsiders and minority group. They were very different and feared because of their differences.
Naturally I identified with them, being a mutant myself … sans the superpowers 🙁
This month I heard something that brought a huge smile to my face, Northstar is getting married! Check out this story. Marvel’s Astonishing X-Men comic features two gay superheros getting engaged. In issue #50 Northstar proposes to his boyfriend Kyle and in issue #51 they will get married. Yeay, yippie!
I hear alot of my friends and writing buddies complain often about how there aren’t many LGBT characters in science fiction. And the few that do exist usually end up killed or going crazy. Hopefully that isn’t a sign of things to come for Northstar and Kyle.
I wish them many years of wedded bliss with occasional breaks to defend the world against evil baddies!
— KRR
Movie: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I recently saw the 2011 movie “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and I enjoyed it very much. I have not had a chance to read the novels but it’s on my list of things to do.
I couldn’t help but be drawn into the character of Lisbeth Salander. There was so much of myself that I saw in her. There was so much of my life that was like hers … it was frighteningly similar.
Another reason I enjoyed the movie was because I found Lisbeth Salander to be the best bisexual character I’ve ever seen on the big screen. It’s nice to see a bisexual character that is not stereotype and not the bad guy.
Lisbeth’s a strong woman even after everything she has endured in her life. She is powerful, a damsel that doesn’t wait around to be saved by the dashing strong man. She is independent, trying her best to gain back control of her life, control that was wrongfully taken from her.
She’s not perfect… she has flaws, fears and weakness like all humans do. But that’s okay. No one should be expected to be perfect, just be real.
If the average movie goer can get past her outward appearance, the piercings and tattoos, they’ll see a woman that is an excellent role model for young people today, especially for women.
For more on this trilogy and is quality writing, check out this link. You might enjoy it.
-KRR
