Marvel’s Gay “Young Avengers” Share Long Awaited First Kiss

If we had to wait for seven years to kiss our boyfriends we'd likely be on the verge of a Michael Douglas like nervous breakdown in Falling Down. Talk about a seven year itch! But fan-favorite "Young Avengers" Teddy Altman and Billy Kaplan (superhero names: Wiccan and Hulking), finally got to lip lock—after waiting since 2005—in this week's long awaited issue of the Marvel comic.

Though it's certainly not Marvel's first same sex smooch, Comics Alliance explains why this week's highly-anticipated kiss is historic:

Usually when a kiss between two characters is as highly anticipated and as rapturously received by fans as the Young Avengers kiss has been, it's because the kiss is the moment two characters acknowledge their mutual attraction and get together. If you look at examples in TV shows like Cheers, Lost and Veronica Mars, epic fan-pleasing kisses are always a way to resolve long-simmering tension between two characters.

This kiss isn't like that. Drawn by Jim Cheung and Mark Morales, this is a kiss between two characters who have been in a committed relationship since before their first "on-screen" appearance. This is a kiss between two characters who have long-ago acknowledged their attraction and already established their devotion. And that's why this kiss is remarkable; because it took seven years to show a kiss between two characters who must kiss each other every day. It's a remarkable kiss because of all the times we haven't seen it.

And the countdown for the One Million Moms protest starts at 3, 2, ...

Avengers The Children's Crusade (2010) #9

The big climax that sets the stage big time for what is to come in 2012! Deaths and departures! The funeral of an Avenger. The final fate of the Scarlet Witch. A new lineup and a new direction for the Young Avengers. Cover price $3.99.

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Life with Archie Married Life (2010) #16

In 'Archie Marries Veronica,' Kevin returns from battle a war hero and the whole gang have assembled to watch him tie the knot! However it's not wedded bliss for all in attendance as the sting of separation from Veronica continues to pain Archie. Then, in 'Archie Marries Betty' Kevin's wedding is upon us and you're on the guest list! But how exactly did Kevin meet his significant other? Meanwhile, Archie juggles teaching responsibilities with his marriage to Betty. Don't miss out on the wedding event of the year that everyone's talking about! Cover price $3.99.

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American Family Association targets Kevin Keller comics at Toys ‘R’ Us [Updated]

The American Family Association, a conservative Christian group whose mission is to “inform, equip, and activate individuals to strengthen the moral foundations of American culture,” has aimed its ire at Archie Comics and Toys “R” Us over retail chain selling comics featuring the same-sex marriage of Kevin Keller.

Through its website OneMillionMoms.com, the nonprofit organization has asked members to send emails to Toys “R” Us “requesting they remove all the same-sex ‘Just Married – Archie’ comic books immediately from their shelves.” According to the group’s website:

Select Toys ‘R’ Us stores are now selling ‘Archie’ comic books with a same-sex wedding displayed on the front cover. The front cover reads “Just Married” with two men marrying and one is wearing a service uniform. This comic book is being sold in select stores across the country. One example is the Queensbury, NY location in the upstate New York area.

Toys ‘R’ Us employees do not actually set up the displays; they leave this up to the vendor, but they should be aware of the merchandise being sold in their stores nonetheless. These comic books are sold at the front checkout counters so they are highly visible to employees, managers, customers and children. Unfortunately, children are now being exposed to same-sex marriage in a toy store. This is the last place a parent would expect to be confronted with questions from their children on topics that are too complicated for them to understand. Issues of this nature are being introduced too early and too soon, which is becoming extremely common and unnecessary. 

Toys “R” Us joins a long list of companies that the AFA has targeted through its OneMillionMoms.com and OneMillionDads.com sites, including ABC, Disney, The Clorox Company, 7-Eleven, Home Depot and the FOX network. One Million Moms most recently mounted an unsuccessful campaign to convince JC Penney to fire Ellen DeGeneres as the retail chain’s spokeswoman.

(via LGBT Weekly)

Update: When asked for comment, Archie sent us the following statement from their CEO, Jon Goldwater: “We stand by Life with Archie #16. As I’ve said before, Riverdale is a safe, welcoming place that does not judge anyone. It’s an idealized version of America that will hopefully become reality someday.

“We’re sorry the American Family Association/OneMillionMoms.com feels so negatively about our product, but they have every right to their opinion, just like we have the right to stand by ours. Kevin Keller will forever be a part of Riverdale, and he will live a happy, long life free of prejudice, hate and narrow-minded people.”

You’re Invited: The X-Men Set To Celebrate Its First Gay Wedding

Northstar, one of a Marvel's first official gay characters, is finally set to wed his boyfriend in what is sure to be an historic upcoming issue of the Astonishing X-Men.

The wedding has been baited in the comic for a few months, but only now are we finding out that it will be of the homosezzual variety. According to Marjorie Liu, writer of issue #51 (which Marvel has promoted with a "Save the Date" notice), Northstar will be a central character in the wedding storyline.

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ALSO:

Astonishing X-Men (2004 - 3rd Series) #48

(W) Greg Pak (A/CA) Mike McKone Marjorie Liu (W) Mike Perkins (A) Cover By Dustin Weave New Creative Team! Best-Selling Author Marjorie Liu And Mike Perkins (The Stand). The X-Men Return To New York City, But It's Not A Social Call. Don't Miss The First Chapter Of What Will Be The Most Controversial Story Of 2012! 32 Pgs./Rated T+ ...$3.99 Cover price $3.99.

Astonishing X-Men (2004 - 3rd Series) #49

(W) Greg Pak (A/CA) Mike McKone The Marauders Are Back! Something From Northstar's Past Has Resurfaced And Is Looking For Revenge. Kyle Goes Missing - How Is He Connected To The Person Behind Everything? Cover price $3.99.

WILL WEDDING BELLS CHIME FOR LIU'S "ASTONISHING X-MEN?"

In comics, weddings never go by without some drama, and this summer, wedding bells are in the air for one of Marvel Comics more dramatically romantic franchises.

The publisher today released a teaser for Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins' incoming run on "Astonishing X-Men," pointing towards impending nuptials for someone in the cast:

Aside from team leader Wolverine -- who's had some rather interesting weddings in his past already -- candidates appearing in the book include Warbird, Northstar, Gambit, Iceman, Cecelia Reyes and Karma. Of course, possibilities exist within that group for some romantic twists when you look at Gambit's longstanding relationship with Rogue, or Iceman and Reyes' history together, although considering the highly-publicized wedding of Archie character Kevin Keller, it's not unlikely that Marvel and Liu could be booking a reception hall for Northstar and his popular-with-fans boyfriend Kyle.

In a conference call announcing the series last month, Liu said of the book, "We've got Northstar moving back to New York and he's going to be living with his boyfriend, Kyle...Another side of it, we've got characters like Cecelia and Gambit circling each other and [Gambit] moving into his own apartment in Westchester."