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Marvel unveils first drag queen X-Men mutant superhero

Photo credit: Marvel Comics
Photo credit: Marvel Comics

From Digital Spy

Marvel has introduced its first drag queen superhero, and she couldn't be more more fabulous.

The comics giant recently unveiled a mutant drag queen to the X-Men comics lore, suitably called Shade.

Introduced in issue four of the Iceman comic, we first see Shade turn up at a mutant Pride parade, and her powers sound equally awesome – she can teleport by flicking open her handheld fan and enter a pocket dimension.

Photo credit: Marvel Comics
Photo credit: Marvel Comics

Related: Empire creator Lee Daniels teases gay superhero movie

Shade was created by Marvel comics writer Sina Grace and artist Nathan Stockman, who spoke about working on Iceman – the comic powerhouse's only monthly series featuring a queer lead.

"I really wanted this series to push readers to new and better stories about the whole queer experience and how it applies to being both a mutant and a superhero," Grace told The Advocate.

"There’s a million different queer perspectives and we’re only scratching the surface."

Photo credit: Marvel Comics
Photo credit: Marvel Comics

It's a welcome turn for Marvel, which hasn't always had the best track record when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation, at least on screen.

Last year, the company was criticised along with rivals DC for poor representation by advocacy organisation GLAAD. Two movies notably cut scenes involving characters Valkyrie and Okoye that would have confirmed same-sex lovers.

However, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has promised at least two LGBTQ+ characters are coming to the MCU, so watch this space.


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