mrph | Dec. 22nd, 2002

Shock! Horror! As reported on the BBC News site, Marvel have decided to relaunch Western hero 'The Rawhide Kid' with a twist - they've revealed that he's gay, are subtitling the series "Slap Leather!" and are playing it for laughs.

This is newsworthy? Why? I mean, it's not likely to be very good, and it's hardly groundbreaking.

Let's take a quick look at their Distinguished Competition - in particular, at Kurt Busiek's Power Company. Josiah Power's also gay (he's also about 6'5", built like a brick outhouse, and the owner of a very impressive beard - the first bear to star in a superhero comic? :). This hasn't been advertised or hyped, it's just part of the character's background. Oh, and he's also in a long-term intteracial relationship (Josiah's African-American, btw).

Can I also point out that Power Company is one of DC's 'normal' superhero comics, on sale to all ages etc. Rawhide Kid isn't. Oh, and Power Company is also an entertaining read. Rawhide Kid... er, well, shall we wait and see? But I don't have high hopes. Put not your faith in Marvel.