From Marvel Entertainment

May 22, 2012

Save The Date—Marvel Announces Landmark X-Men Marriage

Northstar Proposes To His Longtime Boyfriend In Astonishing X-Men #50, on-sale tomorrow

 

New York NY—May 22nd, 2012— The X-Men, one of the world’s most popular super hero teams, have always been at the forefront of the biggest stories in comic history; and today is no different as Marvel is proud to announce the wedding that has everyone talking! Today, fans worldwide learned on ABC’s The View, that Jean-Paul Beaubier, AKA Northstar and a popular member of the X-Men, proposes to his boyfriend Kyle Jinadu in Astonishing X-Men #50, on-sale tomorrow in comic stores, on the Marvel Comics app and at the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. The creative team of New York Times best-sellers Marjorie Liu (X-23¸ the urban fantasy Hunter Kiss series and the Dirk & Steele paranormal romances) and Mike Perkins (Stephen King’s The Stand) have put Northstar and Kyle’s relationship to the test—and now they’re about to take their biggest step yet. But will their path to wedded matrimony in New York City be smooth or are there hidden dangers around the corner?

 

“The Marvel Universe has always reflected the world outside your window, so we strive to make sure our characters, relationships and stories are grounded in that reality,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor in Chief. “We’ve been working on this story for over a year to ensure Northstar and Kyle's wedding reflects Marvel's "world outside your window" tradition."

 

Then, on June 20th, don’t miss the wedding of Northstar and Kyle in the pages of Astonishing X-Men #51! This unforgettable issue features covers by Dustin Weaver and Marko Djurdjevic, along with a special “Create Your Own Wedding” blank variant cover! Select comic book retailers nationwide will host wedding parties at their stores  to celebrate this joyous occasion, with special items exclusively available at participating stores!

 

“The story of Northstar and Kyle is universal, and at the core of everything I write: a powerful love between two people who have to fight for it against all odds,” said Liu. “This is the quintessential Marvel story, one that blends the modern world with the fantasy of super heroes in order to tell an exciting story that begins with a wedding—and continues in ways you can’t imagine.”

  

Northstar was first introduced to comic fans in the pages of 1979’s Uncanny X-Men #120, a member of the super hero team Alpha Flight and antagonist to the popular super heroes. A gold medal winning Olympian and successful businessman, the French-Canadian super hero quickly became one of the most popular members of Alpha Flight when its ongoing series launched in 1983. In 1992’s historic Alpha Flight #106, Northstar became the first openly gay super hero when he announced his sexual identity through national media. Since then, Northstar has not only joined the X-Men but become one of their most popular new members. Northstar and Kyle have been a couple since 2009, garnering a large fan following since their first appearance together.

 

“As a long-time fan of the X-Men, it’s not only a true honor to be part of such a historically significant story but also a complete joy,” explained Perkins.

 

Don’t miss the proposal everyone’s talking in Astonishing X-Men #50, available tomorrow in comic stores, on the Marvel Comics app and at the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. And then save the date for June 20, as Northstar and Kyle tie the knot in Astonishing X-Men #51

 

ASTONISHING X-MEN #50 (MAR120623)

Written by MARJORIE LIU

Art by MIKE PERKINS

Cover by DUSTIN WEAVER

Variant Cover by JOHN CASSADAY

Sketch Variant Cover by JOHN CASSADAY

Rated T+ …$3.99

ON SALE 5/23/12

 

ASTONISHING X-MEN #51 (APR120665)

Written by MARJORIE LIU

Art by MIKE PERKINS

Cover by DUSTIN WEAVER

Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

Create Your Own Wedding Variant also available

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC—5/28/12, On-Sale—6/20/12

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  • I can't wait for the time when a story like this won't be news anymore.

    And when did Quicksilver get black hair?

  • A story like this will always be news, because I think it has a dubious legal foundation. Northstar was a Canadian citizen when he was masquerading as a human (I don't know what their in-continuity stance on Mutant rights were), but once it was revealed that he was actually a fairy, a fully non-human creature, where does he stand legally? I don't think he'd be able to obtain a marriage license in Canada (again, not sure of the in-continuity laws, especially in Canada) and certainly if the wedding is going to occur in the US, I don't think any states would have laws on the books to cover that. I don't plan on reading the issue, but I wonder if any of this is going to be addressed.



  • David Warren said:

    I can't wait for the time when a story like this won't be news anymore.

    And when did Quicksilver get black hair?

    I don't see Quicksilver anywhere, unless you're referring to the groom, who is Northstar. Or are you joking that that both Quicksilver and Northstar are so similar -- irritating speedsters -- that they're interchangeable?

    And Rich did I miss something, in that Northstar is now Faerie? I thought he and his sister were mutants! Not that I really care ... like you, I don't read Astonishing X-Men and don't plan to change that policy for this issue.

  • My mistake, typed the wrong name.

    Though I still thought Northstar had white/silver hair.

  • Rich Steeves said:

    A story like this will always be news, because I think it has a dubious legal foundation. Northstar was a Canadian citizen when he was masquerading as a human (I don't know what their in-continuity stance on Mutant rights were), but once it was revealed that he was actually a fairy, a fully non-human creature, where does he stand legally? I don't think he'd be able to obtain a marriage license in Canada (again, not sure of the in-continuity laws, especially in Canada) and certainly if the wedding is going to occur in the US, I don't think any states would have laws on the books to cover that. I don't plan on reading the issue, but I wonder if any of this is going to be addressed.

     

    Wha -- ?

    I know I'm going to regret hearing the answer, but ask I must: What are you talking about?

  • A fairy?  Long time since I heard that term of abuse!

  • Mark S. Ogilvie said:

    Is this a story or is this marketing?

     

    Is this the real life?
    Is this just fantasy?
    Caught in a landslide
    No escape from reality
    Open your eyes
    Look up to the skies and see
    I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
    Because I'm easy come, easy go
    A little high, little low
    Anyway the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me, to me...

  • From Marvel Entertainment

    May 24, 2012

    Marvel Unveils Marko Djurdjevic’s ASTONISHING X-MEN #51 Variant!

     

    Marvel is pleased to present your first look at superstar artist, Marko Djurdjevic’s stunning variant cover to Astonishing X-Men #51! This June, get ready for the wedding of the year as Djurdjevic masterfully captures one of the happiest moments in X-Men history.  It’s the story that has everyone talking, and this June –  witness the landmark marriage of Northstar and Kyle, in style, with the Astonishing X-Men #51 Djurdjevic Variant!

     

    ASTONISHING X-MEN #51 (APR120665)

    ASTONISHING X-MEN #51 DJURDJEVIC VARIANT (APR120666

    Written by MARJORIE LIU

    Art by MIKE PERKINS

    Cover by DUSTIN WEAVER

    Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

    Create Your Own Wedding Variant also available

    Rated T+ …$3.99

    FOC—5/28/12, On-Sale—6/20/12

    1936067548?profile=original

  • Rich is referring to Alpha Flight #50 (1987), where Loki reveals that Northstar and Aurora's mother was an Asgardian elf.  At the end of this issue, Northstar leaves Earth to live in the realm of Alfheim, supposedly where his mother was from.  In Alpha Flight #81, a different writer overturns this by saying: "But Loki is the God of Lies!" and the elves of Alfheim had laughed at Northstar for believing what Loki had said.  The former status quo was restored - still a mutant, still a Canadian citizen.

    John Byrne had always intended for Northstar to be gay when Alpha Flight's first volume was launched in 1983, but could not say so outright because of the Comics Code and also the higher-ups at Marvel would not allow it.  Still, he was able to put some pretty big hints in the stories.  In one issue, we meet an older man who Northstar introduces to his sister Aurora as a friend, who had provided direction for Jean-Paul when he was younger; he was a mentor and more.  Jean-Paul hesitates before choosing the word "friend' as a description for their relationship.  The older man mentions that he has a daughter and the look on Jean-Paul's face was one of shock and he even asked how that was possible.  In other issues, not only does Jean-Paul not have a female love interest, he demonstrates zero romantic interest in women.  I'm sure there were other hints and clues.

    After Byrne left, Bill Mantlo took over.  He started a subplot where Northstar was sick and getting sicker.  It's believed that Mantlo intended to reveal Northstar had AIDS, but that was squelched by Marvel bigwigs.  Instead, we got the reveal of Northstar's mother being an elf, leading Peter David to pithly observe that "So, Northstar is not gay, he's a fairy.  That's so much better."

  • It's hard to believe they made a gay guy a fairy without realising the double-meaning.  It looks like an in-joke to me, perhaps in exasperation at how little Marvel would allow.

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