Nothing against the writer because I feel like she did this to show she can do it. She usually does stuff for offensive humor things like Rick & Morty and The Onion. And with these new characters names and powers, this feels more like a "You can tell a big company to write anything they think is "progressive" enough, and they'll give you the green light."
Basically, instead of donating to an LGBTQ+ supportive charity, which is what actual support would be, they just slap in some trans characters. Or at LEAST with making a pride one-shots thing, make them being trans be more of a side note because they're, y'know, more than just their gender? The only identity that should be their selling point is their Hero Persona.
Marvel's Voices: Pride (2022) #1 is an anthology one-shot celebrating LGBTQI+ creators and characters from across the Marvel Universes. "LGBT-D" -- by writer Grace Freud, penciler Scott B. Henderson, inker Lee Townsend and colorist Brittany Peer -- is a story featured in the issue that centers around D-Man leading a support group for transgender teenagers with superpowers.
The story introduces readers to four new trans characters, all of whom are equipped with their own unique set of skills. The group includes Pity Girl/Nora, who has the ability to hypnotize people with sad stories; Aphelion/Reed, who has freezing powers; Good Arson/Rex Ridley, who can ignite objects with his mind; and Faceshopper/Soph, who can shapeshift into items she deems "cool."
Before long, the support group is interrupted when Spider-Man comes crashing through a wall followed by the Sinister Syndicate. The four heroes and D-Man quickly jump into action and apprehend the villains while Spider-Man takes a moment to recover and catch his breath.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Freud previously shared that was thrilled to be working on this story for Marvel's Voices: Pride (2022) #1. "I worked at a comic shop all of high school and college, so writing for Marvel was already a dream come true, but the fact that I was able to create four new trans teen heroes with Scott is totally surreal," Freud said. "I wanted D-Man, one of Marvel's gayest and goofiest characters, to find a new purpose working at an LGBT youth center and mentoring this ragtag group of fruity knuckleheads. Hope you like it, LGBTrue Believers!"
Pity Girl and Aphelion return in #1's "Permanent Sleepover" story by writer Charlie Jane Anders, artists Ro Stein and Ted Brandt, colorist Tamara Bonvillain and consultant Naseem Jamnia. "Permanent Sleepover" marks the , a new transgender mutant hero who is constantly being asked to come train to become an X-Men at Krakoa by Emma Frost. Escapade makes their way to D-Man's support group and listens to Aphelion and Pity Girl share their experiences. "So sick of being hated and feared," Aphelion says. "Why can't I be loved and feared? Actually, it's more like I'm hated, feared, and fetishized." Pity Girl adds, "People project so much stuff onto me. I must be IMAX. Makes me never want to talk to anyone."
Marvel's Voices: Pride (2022) #1 features cover art by Nick Robles and by Jen Bartel, Stephen Byrne, Olivier Coipel and Amy Reeder, with an introduction by Alex Phillips. The issue is on sale new from Marvel.
"Ragtag team of fruity knuckleheads"...
Ya, there's no way this wasn't made with satire.
Pity Girl, who has the power to basically cause a wave of depression with stories. Sounds like an Emo's wet dream, tbh-
"Hey, Ms. Pity? Can you distract those guards?" "Oh, ya! Sure!" *walks to military guards* "Hey guards! Don't shoot! I have a tale for you!" *guards stand in confusion, waiting* "...I dropped my perfect sandwich in a pile of dog crap this morning..." *guards are now rolling on the floor bawling their eyes out*
Faceshopper, who basically shops for things she like and is like "I wanna be that. I now identify as a toaster." There's no way that wasn't the intention. Trans person who turns into things they like at that moment in a woke comic?
Good Arson... Bruh, wtf kinda name is that? Why not McSizzle or Mindheat? Or even Hothead? WTF kinda name is "Good Arson"? Using brain waves to maybe cause someone to THINK they're on fire is a good idea. But this? WHY?
Aphelion is not only a basic name, but their powers are basic, and their name sounds like a rejected Greek god who only had like 2 people who believed in him. Though the word did come from Greek, I think? Still, this character is bland, and being trans doesn't make them the next best thing since cold milk.
And odd coincidence they make this poor attempt at a Pride Month line when there's only a few days left of June. Even if comics may take a while to make, I saw literally no promotions.
Like Marvel's Non-binary heroes did great. Remember Snowflake & Safespace? And we THOUGHT they learned after that, but apparently not.
Again though, I think the writer did this without seriousness. She's done stuff for other satirical stuff before. So I really think this is her saying any big company will release anything they think the "cool kids" would buy.
Pity Girl... I can't get over that-
"Make people sad with stories"? HOW TF IS THAT A SUPERPOWER!?!?
