Marvel announces nuptials for gay superhero

The ladies of ‘The View’ praised Marvel’s preview of the publisher’s first gay superhero wedding this June. (Screen capture by the Washington Blade)

NEW YORK — Northstar, a character in Marvel Comic’s ‘Astonishing X-Men’ series will marry his long-time boyfriend Kyle in June, according to the Huffington Post.

While Northstar — introduced in 1979 — isn’t the publisher’s only gay character, he was one of the first, coming out in 1992. The character has been at the center of controversy for many years since coming out, but has helped the comics stay at the forefront of cultural change with plot lines that included the flying mutant adopting a baby with AIDS and becoming a teacher.

“When gay marriage became legal in New York State, it raised a question, since most of our heroes reside in that state,” said Marvel editor Axel Alonso. “How would Northstar, the first openly gay character in comics, respond to this new development?”

The announcement was made Monday on ABC’s morning talk show, “The View,” drawing praise from host Whoppi Goldberg.