It’s been an exciting time for fictional heroes. A new trend shows more and more iconic comic book and sci-fi characters are coming out as gay. DC Comics recently announced that Catwoman is bisexual shortly after telling us about Green Lantern’s preferences. The Star Wars Universe became more diverse as well by revealing that Moff Mors from the upcoming Lords of the Sith will be a Lesbian. Now Marvel gets a “queer-eye” makeover by announcing that Iceman or Bobby Drake from the X-Men team is also gay.

Now that we know Iceman is gay, how did he come out? In the most logical Mutant way of course; being outed with a Jean Grey mind probe! In All-New X-Men # 40 Jean asks asking Iceman why he called a female hot when she has read his mind and can clearly see that he is gay. The story holds true to many coming out stories with Iceman disputing Jean Grey and pushing it to the side not wanting to come out just yet. He comes back at her after the revelation with a childish line, he says “I’m not… I’m thinking it because you keep saying it.” A telepathic friend  ripping the details from your mind is probably one of the most awkward coming out stories ever told.

This isn’t the first time that Marvel comics paved the way. In the 1970s they introduced Storm who was a one of the first black, female characters and Northstar was said to be the first openly gay superhero as that was announced in the 90’s. Are Northstar and Iceman going to get together?

This is a step in the right direction but we’re hoping that this is ingrained and justified for the character’s development and not just promotional stunt to gain a popular following in the LGBT community. Fortunately for us, comic creator Brian Michael Bendis who wrote the issue where Iceman is announced as being gay has eased our mind on Twitter stating, “i swear on my dogs, i wanted the issue to come out and just be. no press. no sensational headlines. no leaks. oh, well…”

It is humble attitudes such like this one that give us hope that the LGBT community isn’t turning into a caricature and is instead gaining equal rights with each movement and even tiny ripples. Now it’s time to go through everything I know about comic books and pick out who has been in the closet all these years- with the exception of Harley Quinn. We all know she lovers her “Mr. J’s” and “Miss J’s” equally!