Marvel Reveals Some Pride Celebration Plans with Variant Covers and MARVEL'S VOICES: PRIDE #1
Marvel recently revealed some of their plans for celebrating Pride this June. For starters, they’re going to release Marvel’s Voices: Pride #1 which will be their first-ever queer-centered special. There will be a wide variety of stories starring Mystique and Destiny, Nico Minoru and Karolina Dean, Iceman, Daken, Karma, and more.
The stories will be written by a variety of authors including Kieron Gillen, Allan Heinberg, Anthony Oliveira, Steve Orlando, Tini Howard, Leah Williams, Mariko Tamaki, Terry Blas, Crystal Frasier, Vita Ayala, J.J. Kirby, and Luciano Vecchio to name a few with art by Javier Garrón, Jim Cheung, Kris Anka, Jen Hickman, Paulina Ganucheau, Jethro Morales, Britney Williams, J.J. Kirby, Vecchio, Jan Bazaldua.
Since 1992’s revolutionary ALPHA FLIGHT #106 proudly confirmed Northstar’s sexuality, Marvel has represented LGBTQ+ identities with a wide array of characters and stories. MARVEL’S VOICES: PRIDE #1 will continue this legacy with thrilling adventures starring Mystique and Destiny, Nico Minoru and Karolina Dean, Iceman, Daken, Karma, and more. Plus, writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung make their long-awaited return to Marvel Comics with a new chapter in the love story of their hit creations: Wiccan and Hulkling! MARVEL VOICES: PRIDE #1 will also revisit some of Marvel’s groundbreaking moments and explore the history of LGBTQ+ inclusion and storytelling at Marvel Comics.
Talking about the opportunity to work on this, Vecchio said:
It blew my mind when I learned this special was being put together. Something that not too long ago seemed a wild dream is finally happening! I think this is one of those history-making touchstones for LGBTQ+ representation in Marvel, one of those moments that sets the bar higher and starts a lasting paradigm shift, and I’m just grateful to be lucky enough to be asked to contribute to it. And on a more personal note, after my short story in the first Marvel’s Voices special last year, this feels like an organic progression in the right direction, and I can’t stop smiling about it.
Oliveira shared:
When I was a very closeted, very lonely kid, these characters saved my life. It's an honor to tell stories about them and to see the kind of stories queer people can tell about queer people deepen and grow.
Orlando added:
What an honor to be part of MARVEL’S VOICES: PRIDE! I could not be more excited to help spotlight LGBTQ+ characters new and old at the House of Ideas, as well as joining a stable of LGBTQ+ creators behind the scenes for this special
Marvel’s Voices: Pride #1 will be available to read on June 23.
In addition, Marvel Comics revealed some new variant covers by Phil Jimenez that will be spotlighting LGBTQ+ heroes that will release throughout the month of June. Jimenez said:
I’m always blown away at how different things are now in comics when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation than when I started, and Marvel’s dedication to that inclusion. As an (ahem!) older gay creator, I’m always thrilled by the opportunity to draw iconic LGBTQ+ characters from Marvel’s past and present, and grateful to contribute to Marvel’s future: one that truly represents the world — and the wonderful diversity of humanity — right outside your window.
There will be 9 covers done by Jimenez featuring the following characters:
America Chavez
Black Cat
Daken
Hulkling & Wiccan
Iceman
Moondragon
Mystique
Northstar
The new Valkyrie who made her debut in King in Black: Return of the Valkyries (learn her true name in THE MIGHTY VALKYRIES #1, on sale in April!)
You can look at the first four below. Black Cat #7 and Marauders #21 will launch on June 2; X-Men #21 on June 9; The Mighty Valkyries #3 on June 16; Guardians of the Galaxy #15, Pride #1 (there will be two variants by Jimenez for this one), and Wolverine #13 release June 23; and X-Factor #10 will be the last one on June 30.
