DC Comic's Gay Hero MIDNIGHTER Strikes!
DC Comics is once again shaking up its publishing line! After final outcome of the recent "world-shattering" events of its epic cross-over series CONVERGENCE, the comic-book imprint with a more than 75-year history - the same house that has given us the adventures of SUPERMAN, BATMAN and WONDER WOMAN - are about to strike fear in the hearts of evil-doers when the MIDNIGHTER stalks the shadows! Not familiar with this particular "super-friend"?
The character was first introduced in 1998 as one of the eclectic members of the team book STORMWATCH and created by writer Warren Ellis and artist Bryan Hitch. Even then, the Midnighter appeared to live life on the edge. The roguish dark-cowled and leather-wearing vigilante let his fists do the talking, and his boots do the tussling, often relentlessly throwing down his gauntlet on the criminal underworld. When he hung up his utility belt and called it a day, the Midnighter bunked up with his teammate Apollo.
The pair were among those first famously out characters to take on the establishment of the superhero genre, and bore striking comparisons to the iconic world's finest Superman and Batman, except for the part where these two teamed-up (often) under the sheets. Interest in the Midnighter was once again reignited when DC revamped its comics with the advent of "The New 52" taking their canon of characters into a more contemporary plane. The Midnighter teamed-up with former Batman protege Dick Grayson (the original Robin turned Nightwing) in the spy-driven title GRAYSON.
The latest writer to take up the helm of the MIDNIGHTER in his own new, headlining comic book series is Steve Orlando, preparing to reveal more about the cowled wonder, including what other endowments he possesses beyond his already impressive arsenal of super-powers. "What sets Midnighter apart from other characters in the DC Universe," insists Orlando is the fact that Midnighter sees himself as a "fighter" and not necessarily a hero. "He's a guy whose had bad things done to him -�he's kidnapped as a child -�and becomes engineered to become this fighting machine."
No Secret Identity Here!
As Orlando puts it so exquisitely, "Some people are made to run a tapas restaurant, Midnighter is made to punch people in the mouth. That's just what he does." Even before the character was folded properly into the DC Comics continuity, when introduced as part of the originally more independent Wildstorm Universe imprint, he had a penchant for violence and brutality -- reserved of course for his criminal adversaries. "He knows he has this twitch for ultra-violence, and that he's engineered to be the best at is fighting. He's now dedicated to helping the people who can't help themselves."
The premiere issue, available June 3, has Midnighter doing what he does best -�kicking butt and breaking noses, and using the comics-equivalent of Grindr to hook-up on dates! "We're going to see Midnighter acting just like a gay man," says Orlando. "It's an undo spotlight in so many ways." There are after all other gay characters in the DC Universe, but Orlando's intent on an authentic storytelling approach to MIDNIGHTER. "Where going to have him living his life accurately as a single gay man...that doesn't come along often in mainstream media."
Orlando is referring specifically to how the Midnighter's homosexuality will be integrated into the narrative, and some of the criticism that has already emerged about the character as a role-model. "It's not to the extent that people made it out to be," the writer revealed, "but the fact is this is a huge part of the gay community -- and it would be irresponsible not to acknowledge it. It's important to respect our readers." So the Midnighter will be single (at least for now) and making "friends" along the way, while figuring out who he is.
Once part of a "power couple" in comics, the MIDNIGHTER will mostly feature our hero as single man, sowing his oats and not pining after his former beau Apollo. "I think they're vitally important to each another; they certainly love one another" Orlando insists, "but here's the thing: In real life, sometimes love is not enough. It's important to me to show Midnighter is a whole character himself. He has to find out who he is on his own."
What...No Side-Kick?
Though Orlando doesn't entirely rule out Apollo playing a part in MIDNIGHTER, the origin of who Lucas Trent is (if that is even his true alter ego) will be heavily explored. "His origin plays an important role setting things in motion," Orlando says about the first arc of the series, "but the real question is: how does he personally feel about it." The Midnighter is the Midnighter all the time! "He doesn't have a secret identity. He's dedicated himself to this life. He doesn't know if he wants to know anything else." But the truth may be out there, and may have fallen into the wrong hands.
About those super-powers...the Midnighter is the product of a bioengineering experiment that has grafted him with several technological enhancements including super-strength, speed and endurance, and is an expert street-fighter able to calculate and anticipate the actions of his opponents. Those are among the powers that we know of, not to mention his penchant for witty repartee and makes enough of an impression to warrant a "Dawn, you look good." when he strips out of his gear!
Where most superheroes are often in pursuit of learning the truth about where they came from or how they got their powers, MIDNIGHTER has his priorities firmly routed in his dedication to fight crime. "For Midnighter it's about taking ownership and pursuing his own life," Orlando adds. "He's more concerned about someone else finding out something about him, that he may not know himself." When someone seemingly beaks into the impenetrable fortress with the secret to Midnighter's past, his mission takes on laser precision: find the culprit, retrieve the information, and bring the pain.
"What's key about the character is his confidence," Orlando said. "I love this character." As a young reader of THE AUTHORITY the title that featured Midnighter's original escapades, Orlando related to the hero, especially appreciated that he found a comic book that centered on a gay character as a bad ass superhero, which as a young gay person gave him someone to identify with. "Now years later, I'm working on the character."
Next Issue:
With DC Comics new "DC You" branding initiative launching in June, the overall focus is to give creatives license to write and deliver stories that are as diverse and more accurately reflective of today's myriad audience, speaking to and inclusive of LGBTQ readership. "Comics have always resonated with the readership," says Orlando, himself a long-time avid reader, turned now writer on MIDNIGHTER,�"and as the face of America changes and the world becomes more diverse, comics aren't doing their job, if you're not [relating] that experience."
About the reception that the comic is already getting. "It's pretty surreal, hopefully after Issue #1 people will continue to think that way. Everyone wants to see a modern myth, especially one that has their own face on it -�the idea of showing that comics are as diverse as the real world -- everyone deserves that."
DC Comics MIDNIGHTER #1 written by Steve Orlando hits comic shops and newsstands June 3. Want to see what else DC Comics has in store? Check out this intro to the new "DC You" below:
RED ALERT! DC Comics has also announced the largest (ever) digital comic book sale of the season! Beginning in June you can grab over 1200 digital titles including 24 brand-new series and 25 ongoing fan-favorites for only 99 cents each, including the premiere issue of MIDNIGHTER!
For a complete list of the titles available go to DC Comics.