I wanted to review this issue when it first came out, but things kept coming up, and issues kept coming out, to the point it felt too late. But with the recent press it's gotten again over the past few days I felt the need to review it still.
My review is only going to focus on one part: the fact that Striker comes out as being gay. This series has always done an exceptional job of portraying young super heroes trying to learn who they are in a world that needs saving. But in this case, the book excels at showing how even heroes have doubts as to who they are. And that fact makes them just like us; human. I have always said that comics, movies, tv, and music help us get through ordeals that talking to people sometimes can't. It's not that we don't have people we can turn to, it's more the fact that unless you're in that person's shoes, you really can't get a feel for what they're going through. But when you see it on film, or hear the lyrics in a song, or read it on the page, your problems are outlined for you. You can see that there's a path out there someone has already walked down, and it gives you hope that you can travel those miles as well.
Striker's case is a common one in today's society. Are the conflicting feelings you have right? There are no right or wrong answers for this. There are only emotions. There will be people that think emotions are wrong. Those people are misguided. You have to decide for yourself what is right for you, not what anybody else says is right for you. This is what Striker learns.
This issue should be commended for treating the subject material in an open, honest way. It doesn't sugarcoat anything, nor does it present a clear-cut answer. What it does is present it in a way that allows you to connect with the character, whether you are straight or gay. A way that hopefully people can turn to and realize that there is hope for every single one of us.
No comments:
Post a Comment