The 2013 GLAAD Award nominees recognizing media for outstanding images of the LGBT community have been unveiled and they are:
OUTSTANDING COMIC BOOK
Astonishing X-Men by Marjorie Liu (Marvel)
Batwoman by W. Haden Blackman, J.H. Williams III (DC Comics)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Andrew Chambliss, Scott Allie, Jane Espenson, Drew Z. Greenberg (Dark Horse)
Earth 2 by James Robinson (DC Comics)
Kevin Keller by Dan Parent (Archie Comics)
The complete list can be seen in the above link. As usual the GLAAD Awards recognize MAINSTREAM media portrayal of LGBT characters and issues, which is why Earth 2’s gay Green Lantern was nominated and not, say, ARE YOU MY MOTHER. ‘Scool though.
Nominees were pleased. ARchie comics released a statement:
“We are so thrilled for Kevin to be honored this way,” said Archie Comics Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “Archie’s pal Kevin has been a perfect addition to the gang. It’s hard to imagine Riverdale without him.”
“Archie Comics continues to be ahead of the curve, paving the way for characters like Kevin to be represented in mainstream comics,” said Archie Comics President Mike Pellerito. “Riverdale is, and will always be, a place that embraces diversity.”
2012 was a landmark year for Kevin, which saw the character transition from a mini-series into the launch of an ongoing title as well as his highly publicized wedding in the pages of Life with Archie. The critically praised comic capped the year with a guest appearance from the legendary Star Trek actor George Takei whom Kevin idolizes.
“I applaud a forward thinking comic like Kevin Keller and am flattered to be a part of it,” said George Takei of his guest spot. “Comics play an important role in contributing to a healthy, sociable community and Kevin is a great role model for the youth of America. I am delighted to see GLAAD recognize it.”
Kevin continues to make appearances in high profile Archie projects including last year’s Archie Meets KISS and the upcoming Archie Meets GLEE crossover. This spring Kevin will also make the leap into books with a young adult novel published by Penguin Young Readers Group.
Winners will be announced at various galas from March through May.
Actually, “Fun Home” was nominated for, and won, the award in 2007. beating 52, American Virgin, Manhunter, and Y the Last Man.
Batwoman, Buffy, and Kevin Keller have been nominated before. This is Kevin’s third consecutive nomination. Batwoman won last year, and in 2010.
Previous multiple nominee and winner X-Factor was replaced by Astonishing X-Men. I’m not sure if the two feature different gay characters, as I do not read either title.
Oh, and Green Lantern (a different one) was nominated before, written by Judd Winick.
X-Factor was nominated due to Rictor and Shatterstar’s coming out and development. Astonishing got the nod for Northstar and Kyle Jinadu’s marriage.
GLAAD will consider a B&W book if it sells Fun Home numbers, or has the buzz of Strangers In Paradise. But when I served on the nominating committee ages ago, I didn’t have any luck interesting them in indie books that might be more “outstanding” but didn’t have their own mainstream audience.
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