INTERVIEW & PREVIEW: LGBTQ+ superhero comic returns to comiXology
Image: Courtesy of comiXology / Provided by Superfan Promotions with permission.
The Pride, the new comic book written by Joe Glass and with art by Cem Iroz, has returned with a second set of issues, detailing the adventures of FabMan and his LGBTQ+ supergroup known as The Pride.
In their world, the heroes can be mischaracterized in the media and face discrimination, unfortunately mimicking the circumstances of some real-life members of the LGBTQ+ community. However, FabMan and The Pride have a plan to use their talents for the greater good; all they need to do is stop an evil mastermind from world domination.
The Pride, which is now available on comiXology, brings much-needed LGBTQ+ representation to the comics world. Readers can begin with the season one adventures, or the first issue of season two is now available, which nicely coincides with Pride Month.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Glass about the new series. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What inspired the creation of The Pride?
Basically, I just wanted some gay superheroes! Ha, in all seriousness, I always felt, as a gay geeky kid reading comics, that there weren’t many characters out there that were like me. As I got older, I realized so much more of my wider LGBTQ+ community were also not represented, and it got to the point that I felt that if the big comic companies weren’t going to do it, I’d just make some queer superheroes of my own.
How would you describe the series to a person who is thinking about checking out an issue on comiXology?
The Pride is basically the JL Gay or the Gayvengers. In other words, it’s a superhero action adventure, in the mainstream style, but featuring a diverse team of LGBTQ+ superheroes giving more folks the chance to see themselves as the hero. So if you love superhero action and melodrama, then The Pride is most certainly the book for you, whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or not.
What adventures can fans expect in season two?
Fans of the series have got so much to look forward to, as well as new readers. It’s a great jumping on point, and we’ll be meeting a whole host of new heroes as The Pride starts a little recruitment drive. We’ll see the team come up against everything from a nuclear crisis to judgmental worldviews from without and within; from a no-holds-barred street brawl to the biggest music gig upset since that time Madonna fell down the stairs at the Brit Awards! Queens, divas and beasts, season two has it all!
Do you believe the comic industry needs to work on better representation of the LGBTQ+ community?
Totally. There’s so much to the community, but a lot of the time big mainstream corporate companies like to take a ‘one-at-a-time’ approach to showing different aspects of the world at large. There are so few trans superheroes, so few bi heroes (as opposed to villains, which is a troubling trope) and so many other aspects of the wonderful broad range of love and identity that doesn’t get the time to shine in the industry, so there’s still a long way to go. But it’s getting better all the time, and I think it will continue to do so, especially as more and more people push for it. In the comics industry, much like the world at large, we have to be the change we want to see.
What’s the collaboration like with artist Cem Iroz and others on the creative team?
I worked with Cem briefly before on a short for an issue of The Pride Adventures. He’s been a dream. He’s got such a great eye, and his new costume designs have been fabulous, always being complemented by the other creators we’ve had taking a look at them. Mark Dale, our colourist, came on highly recommended, and I can see why — he’s really been bringing a wonderful finish to the overall look of the book. And Mike Stock is my long-suffering letterer who’s put up with all my rambling and sudden changes of mind that the fact that he’s still working with me is nothing short of a miracle, ha. Yeah, all in all, it’s been a dream, and I’m so thankful to have such an enthusiastic and talented team to bring this idea to life.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The first issue of The Pride: Season Two, written by Joe Glass, is now available from comiXology. Click here for more information.
