DC’s Earth 2 #2 : New 52
Written by: Kevin Hunter, Special to CC2K
When DC Comics announced that a Green Lantern was going to come out of the closet, I’m sure some of you were firing up some Ryan Reynolds jokes.
Earth 2 #2
Writer: James Robinson
Pencils: Nicola Scott
Inks: Trevor Scott
Reynolds played the womanizing Hal Jordan in the movie. Jordan is known in the DC Universe as the Silver Age Green Lantern, and one of the founding members of the Justice League of America. But the Green Lantern that came out of the closet is Alan Scott, the first and Golden Age Green Lantern in the “Earth 2” #2, part of the DC Comics’ retelling of its universe in the seemingly endless “The New 52.”
In “Earth 2” DC is starting from scratch reintroducing its classic Golden Age heroes. Scott is now a young a media mogul who just happens to be gay. This month’s issue titled “Age of Wonders,” Scott, who hasn’t been revealed as Earth 2’s Green Lantern just yet, is in Hong Kong for business. There he meets up with his lover Sam. The two embrace in a lip-lock and begin discussing their future. Later, while having drinks on a bullet train, Scott surprises Scott with a ring and proposes. To find of whether or not Sam says yes you’ll have to read “Earth 2” #3 next month.
So who is Alan Scott?
Alan Scott and Green Lantern were created by Bill Finger and Martin Nodell, and made his debut in “All-American Comics” #16 in July 1940. Scott was a charter member of the Justice Society of America and has also been a member of the All-Star Squadron, Checkmate and the Sentinels of Magic. Scott has also gone by the aliases of Sentinel and White King. He is the father of twins Jade and Obsidian, who were the founding members of the 1980’s superhero group Infinity, Inc. Obsidian was also gay. Their mother is Scott’s former wife and super villain Rose Canton, also known as the duel indemnity Rose and Thorn. Apparently Scott has a thing for hot super villains, because in the 1980’s he married a reformed Molly Mayne, who was also known as The Harlequin. Over the years Scott often teamed up with the Silver Age Green Arrow, Hal Jordan in a handful of crossover stories.
During the great “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” Scott and the rest of the Golden Age heroes as well as heroes from the entire DC Universe discovered there were parallel universes with the Golden Ages heroes coming from Earth 2. Scott and all of his Golden Age and Earth 2 cohorts, including the likes of Superman, Batman, Robin the Huntress and even Wonder Woman fought together with heroes from other universes. Most of them perished, but Scott and other members of the Justice Society were stuck in limbo for many years after Earth 2 was eliminated. They were around to save the universe again in “Kingdom Come,” “Infinite Crisis” and “52.” In spite of losing an eye, Scott has gone on to play key roles in “Final Crisis” and “Brightest Day.”
What else happens in “Earth 2” #2?
To be honest, Scott’s “coming out” and proposal was somewhat of a minor part of the overall story. “Age of Wonders” is centered on young adult college slacker Jay Garrick, who also graces the cover. Garrick is confronted by the Roman god Mercury. Mercury tells Garrick that he is dying from his fight with Steppenwolf and that whether Garrick likes it or not, Mercury has chosen him to take up the mantle to eventually become The Flash. Meanwhile, fresh off of “Mister Terrific” #8 (I didn’t read it, so forgive me), Michael Holt is somehow transported to Earth 2 and is confronted by Terry Sloane, the original Mister Terrific. Now it becomes a battle of the minds to see who is indeed the smartest man on Earth. All of these storylines, along with Scott’s, set up what will probably become the new Justice Society of America.
But was Scott coming out of the closet really big news? It was big enough to get everyone in the mainstream media to talk about it and for me to review this book for the second straight issue. As you might recall, the first issue didn’t exactly make me want to by the second issue, but I’m a lemming and I’m also willing to give you the readers, the best reviews of the latest comics. That’s just how dedicated I am!
First, I think that much of this has to do with DC Comics recreating the universe with “The New 52.” Keeping things fresh and up to date with topics that effect many of us in the 21st Century. After all, it wasn’t too long ago when more Black and female superheroes were being created during the time of the civil and women’s rights movements.
And second should be obvious. DC Comics had been getting a ton of publicity out of this and “Earth 2” #2 is going to sell a ton of copies just out of curiosity alone. I was lucky to secure the two copies I got as soon as my local comic book store opened.
James Robinson, the writer and mastermind behind “Earth 2” told the New York Post last week about Scott that, “He’s very much the character he was. He’s still the pinnacle of bravery and idealism. He’s also gay.” Robinson also added, “The only downside of his being young was we lose his son, Obsidian, who’s gay. So I thought, ‘Why not make Alan Scott gay?'”
Gay superheroes aren’t really anything new. It’s been done before by both DC and Marvel and other publishers. As a matter of fact, Marvel will try to one up DC when one of the first openly gay superheroes, Jean-Paul Beaubier, also known as Northstar of Alpha Flight and the X-Men, will have the first gay wedding in the June 27, 2012 issue of the “Astonishing X-Men.”
Not to give the ending away, but from all that’s going on in “Earth 2” #2 “Age of Wonders,” Scott is going to have his hands full and should Sam accept his proposal, I would suggest they hire a wedding planner. For comic books fans who are a little on the conservative side, Scott’s story doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal. Once he’s revealed as Green Lantern he’ll be too busy trying to save the world as all superheroes do. But if you have problem with the kissing scene and proposal, then skip over to the next page. I’m taking the fifth on this and reserving any judgment and continue to be fair on my assessment of “Earth 2.” New readers will find Robinson’s story interesting. It has great artwork and this retelling will appeal to new generation of readers.