In Astonishing X-Men issue 50,
openly gay mutant hero Northstar proposes marriage to his boyfriend
Kyle.
The issue, out Wednesday, will be
followed by the couple's wedding in issue 51.
“Whenever you tell a story that
touches upon an issue people are passionate about, you open yourself
up to controversy and some very heated comments, both supportive and
critical,” Marvel editor in chief Axel Alonso told USA
Today. “But as long as we continue to tell good stories
with nuanced characters from different walks of life, we feel that
we're making our comics accessible to the widest possible audience.”
In the issue, Northstar gets down on
bended knee to make an impromptu proposal to Kyle in Bryant Park.
“I especially liked the idea of these
very private people – well, private enough for a mutant celebrity –
having such a public, life-changing discussion,” said writer
Marjorie Liu.
Cover art for Astonishing X-Men
issue 51 features the couple clasping hands during their outdoor
ceremony as their mutant guests look on.
Liu said some guests reject the
couple's wedding invitation.
(Related: Archie's
gay character Kevin Keller gets married.)