Stream it: The best queer superheroes to inspire and entertain this Pride Month
All over the country, state legislators, school boards and federal agencies are endeavoring to diminish LGBTQ people — both in fiction and everyday life. It's times like this you might wish for a queer person with super-strength and lasers to swoop in and save the day. As we fight on the ground, here are some of the best superheroes with whom to celebrate Pride Month.
Rather than have this list be dominated by characters from the two mega-titans of spandex, DC and Marvel, here's a general overview of what each universe has to offer in the way of LGBTQ representation:
DC Extended Universe
For DC, the animated 'Harley Quinn' series features one of comics' most iconic lesbian relationships, finally done right on television. 'Doom Patrol,' featuring gay hero Negative Man, remains a surrealist masterpiece. Finally, there's 'Peacemaker,' which showrunner James Gunn and star John Cena reimagined as a bisexual antihero.
Watch it: All available on Max.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The MCU has definitely been getting queerer in recent years. The underrated movie 'Eternals' showed an immortal hero living a quiet life with his husband and son. Cunning antihero Loki is canonically bisexual and genderfluid as well as the best time-travelling hero this side of 'Doctor Who' in the titular series. Then there's 'Agatha All Along,' which gave us the iconic line 'if you want a straight answer, ask a straight lady.'
'Miraculous' (2015)
The French animated series 'Miraculous,' about Parisian teens who use magical jewels to fight crime as costumed heroes, is both a cult hit and a fantastic example of queer representation. From the rainbow-powered character Wishmaker to the unrequited crush of Vesperia on main character Ladybug, the show manages to competently contain a full gamut of real-world queer experiences in an affirming way.
Watch it: Streaming on Disney+.
'Code Name: Dynastud' (2018)
Not everything needs to be family-friendly and inspirational. In this raunchy comedy directed by Richard Griffin, a radical right-wing government has outlawed homosexuality. Luckily, a farm boy with some unprintable superpowers is off to save the day with jokes and an intolerance for intolerance. This film is pure schlock, but as a combination of revenge fantasy and satire of toxic machismo, it's definitely a fun time.
Watch it: Steaming on Tubi.
'Surge of Power: The Stuff of Heroes' (2004)
The entire ' Surge of Power ' franchise is a gift to the genre of camp. Real-life corporate attorney Vincent J. Roth plays fictional corporate attorney Gavin Lucas, the alter-ego of openly gay superhero Surge, who battles both crime and homophobia. This was a groundbreaking indie film in 2004, made after the rebirth of the genre but long before the media juggernaut of the MCU. It would be 13 years before 'Power Rangers' would put the first queer hero on the big screen, but Roth kept making 'Surge of Power' sequels and pop culture crossovers with other franchises.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
J.K. Rowling Shares Her Early Take on Harry Potter TV Series
Harry Potter's sire, J.K, Rowling, has shared her early take on the TV series being conjured by HBO. It was first announced in April 2023 that Max had ordered a TV series based on the popular Harry Potter novels, with author Rowling attached as an executive producer. (In June 2024, the Harry Potter project was among several upcoming Max shows rebranded as HBO originals, guaranteeing that they will air on the cable network as well as stream.) More from TVLine Casting News: Andor Subs In for Kimmel, Connie Britton Joins Steve Carell Comedy and More Casting News: Severance Duo on Millionaire, Steve Carell Comedy Casts Bridesmaids Vet and More The White Lotus: Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood Reveal a Rick and Chelsea Sex Scene Was Cut From the Finale ('It Was So Powerful') 'In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new … series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years,' HBO CEO Casey Bloys said at the time of the announcement. Rowling in turn said, 'Max's commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I'm looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series.' This Saturday evening — two years and two months later — Rowling shared on X, 'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!' When someone asked, 'So you are not doing the writing for this show?,' Rowling X'd back, 'No, but I've worked closely with the extremely talented writers.' Even so, the initial news that Rowling would so much as carry an executive producer credit on the series was met with many fans' ire, given myriad statements she has made in recent years about sex and gender that have been deemed transphobic. In response to that first wave of backlash, Rowling quipped on X, 'Dreadful news, which I feel duty bound to share. Activists in my mentions are trying to organise yet another boycott of my work, this time of the Harry Potter TV show. As forewarned is forearmed, I've taken the precaution of laying in a large stock of champagne.' Production on the Harry Potter TV series is set to begin this summer, with filming taking place at England's Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. Newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton will respectively star as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. (See the full Harry Potter cast list here.) The timetable for the show's premiere date, however, is less clear. 'When we started the whole thing, we kind of laid out, 'Oh, it could probably be [2027], something like that,'' HBO's Bloys told reporters in November 2024. 'But don't hold me to any of that, because we're just getting started in the writing and casting process.' Want scoop on the Harry Potter series, or for any other TV show? Shoot an email to InsideLine@ and your question may be answered via Matt's Inside Line! Harry Potter TV Series: Everything We Know View List Best of TVLine 'Missing' Shows, Found! Get the Latest on Ahsoka, Monarch, P-Valley, Sugar, Anansi Boys and 25+ Others Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More
Geek Tyrant
2 hours ago
- Geek Tyrant
Reed Richards Popcorn Bucket For THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Has Fans Doing a Double Take — GeekTyrant
Marvel Studios is stretching into meme territory with its latest movie tie-in collectible. A new popcorn bucket for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has hit the internet, and it features none other than Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic wrapped around the bucket. The container is gripped by Reed's outstretched, stretchy arm. It's a fun nod to his iconic powers and a rare bit of character-focused merch ahead of the movie's release. But of course, it didn't take long for the internet to... notice things. At just the right (or wrong?) angle, the elongated arm clinging to the bucket has prompted some spicy fan interpretations because, well, that's the internet. This is part of a growing line of First Steps tie-in buckets following the giant Galactus one. Thankfully, this Reed Richards version will only run you $39.99, not pocket change, but also not Galactus-sized debt. While the popcorn bucket is stirring conversation online, Pedro Pascal recently spoke to Empire about what drew him to the role of Marvel's most elastic intellectual. 'I see a limitless amount of layers to this character. He does the ultimate version of catastrophising. A brain that has an overview of threats on a mathematical level, but also being emotionally available. It was a fascinating contradiction.' The marketing machine is clearly warming up. Early tracking puts First Steps on pace for a $125 million to $155 million opening, which would be a much-needed win for the MCU. Whether audiences will stretch their arms (and wallets) for the film remains to be seen. In the meantime, check out the Reed Richards bucket and some hilariously suggestive fan-art by Boss Logic. Just... don't stare too long at that arm.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
7 picture books to beat summer boredom
Before modern parenting culture made incessant scheduling the norm, kids used to spend their summers being unproductive — and occasionally bored. But even those who believe in boredom want to offer their child entertainment that's good for them. Reading is the perfect solution — except kids today seldom read for fun. We can blame screens and schedules, but surprisingly, it may also be the books. Too many children's books try to teach something: a lesson, a moral, a behavior. Those are all well and good, but children need more opportunities to read for pleasure. Summer is the ideal time for that freedom. If you need help kick-starting your child's love of reading, try a picture book. Picture books are a form rather than a genre, and work best as shared performances between adults and children. Reading them fosters connections, sparks curiosity and encourages deep thinking. So, next time boredom hits, grab a picture book. What If We… By Eugenia Yoh and Vivienne Chang (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 40 pages; $18.99; ages 4-8) Summer boredom is a familiar feeling to children, so they'll immediately relate to Max, when on day two, he's already in agony. With 'nothing' to do, he wonders, 'What if I…was at the park?' Off he goes — along with his eager-to-play-together little sister, Mimi — but the satisfying feeling is swiftly surpassed by his longing for something new. As Max's imaginings grow more surreal (jumping in giant jello, riding a koi fish), Mimi becomes increasingly frustrated with being ignored, until finally, she speaks up, 'What if WE?' Her sweet, inclusive suggestions help Max realize that the solution to his boredom was in front of him all along. A cleverly crafted, visually stunning book by two Bay Area rising stars. Let's Be Bees By Shawn Harris (Neal Porter Books; 40 pages; $18.99; ages 4-8) What does every noise on Earth sound like all at once? Find out in this playfully profound picture book by Half Moon Bay author-illustrator Shawn Harris. Richly drawn in crayons, this exuberant read-aloud is a poetic meta-story that engages readers on multiple levels. The father and child are reading the same book we're reading, what they become, we become; they become each other, we become them. Together, we are the book, as we wildly embody life on this planet: buzzing, rustling, roaring — and inevitably — laughing. Stange and satisfying, it's a transformative experience that kids will want to relive again and again. Every Monday Mabel Even if summer is mostly boring, for a certain type of kid, there is at least one exciting event guaranteed to happen every week: garbage day! Every Monday, Mabel wakes up with giddy anticipation, eager to see 'The best thing in the world!' She drags a chair down the hallway; past her older sister, mother and father — all of whom have varying opinions about Mabel's interest — out the door, and waits patiently for the trash-tastic spectacle to begin. It turns out, Mabel's transportation admiration isn't so strange after all. All around town, there are other kids, like her, watching with glee. With punchy text and vibrant art, it's an enthusiastic tribute to a child's passion. Fireworks Written by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Cátia Chien (HarperCollins Publishers; 44 pages; $19.99; ages 4-8) On a hot July day in the city, two young sisters head outside to beat the heat. The sun-baked, steamy sidewalks are filled with people, sweaty and sticky. As the girls travel around town, they find a leaking fire hydrant and splash in sweet relief, indulge in squishy drippy watermelon and shimmy to the sound of salsa music. When the sky grows dark, they head to the top of a skyscraper, and wait excitedly until — POP! POP! POP! — a dazzling show of fireworks dances high above their heads, and into their dreams, on this special summer night. The tantalizing text and images will captivate young and old alike. The Gathering Table Written by Antwan Eady and illustrated by London Ladd This story effortlessly recounts a Southern family's tradition of gathering around the table, portraying their funny and poignant moments, while touching on larger themes of love, hope, pride and freedom. Eady's prose is poetically spare but emotionally rich ('The air, it cools. The leaves, they change.'), and Ladd's illustrations, like the summer sky in late afternoon, are warm and expansive. They visually articulate the story's layered narratives, and help remind us that to gather is to create stories, whether we're around a table or a book. Lone Wolf on Vacation Written by Kiah Thomas and illustrated by K-Fai Steele (Neal Porter Books; 48 pages; $16.99; ages 6-9) A common theme in stories is change. A character is faced with something difficult and either they or their situation is transformed by the end of the story. But we, especially children, know that the tidy ending is a fallacy. That's what makes the 'Lone Wolf' books so refreshing. Wolf is a grumpy loner with no friends, and that's exactly how he likes it. Throughout the series, he is constantly pushed by society to be happy and social, but his reaction doesn't change. 'Grrrr' is all he ever says. In the latest book, Wolf goes on a solo vacation, eager to smell fresh air and see new sights. The issue is, he's not alone; there are annoying tourists at every turn. Exhausted and overstimulated, Wolf realizes there is no place like home, and that a staycation in solitude is exactly what he needs. Sarcastically written with a stand-out cast of hilariously illustrated characters, it's perfect for beginner readers, but also fun to read together.
