Updated on December 10, 2021
Gay and lesbian rights group (and media watchdog) GLAAD’s announced their annual Media Award nominations. As usual, there’s a category for comics, but animation’s recognized this year, as well.
For “Outstanding Comic Book”:
- Astonishing X-Men by Marjorie Liu (Marvel)
- Batwoman by W. Haden Blackman, J.H. Williams III (DC Comics)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Andrew Chambliss, Scott Allie, Jane Espenson, Drew Z. Greenberg (Dark Horse)
- Earth 2 by James Robinson (DC Comics)
- Kevin Keller by Dan Parent (Archie Comics)
For “Outstanding Film—Wide Release,” the stop-motion animated film “ParaNorman” has been nominated.
The comics category features several repeat nominees from previous years, plus newcomer “Earth 2,” which I hope doesn’t win—using one’s newly-introduced significant other as cannon fodder to create hero-angst (just after revealing said hero as being gay)? Sounds quite flawed to me…but then, so does the “New 52″‘s similar tone as a whole. I’m still rooting for “Kevin Keller,” as unlike the other nominees, it’s an ongoing series aimed mainly at children, and thus occupies an unique niche for American children’s entertainment. That, and Kevin’s been a fun book so far.
Meanwhile, “ParaNorman” features the rarity of a gay character in a mainstream animated Western film (that isn’t R-rated). Though not sure if that’s enough to put it over its competition…
The winners will be announced between two ceremonies, one on March 16, and another on April 20.
