COMMENTARY

DC Comics is very proud of itself over the decision to make the original Green Lantern gay. It shouldn’t be.

After promising a “major, iconic” character would come out, DC went about it in the weakest possible way. The home of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman is well behind rival Marvel — and oh-so-middle-of-the-road network television.

Also read: Chris Claremont’s Dream X-Men Movie: James Cameron, Kathryn Bigelow, and Bob Hoskins as Wolverine

Let’s just say it: Green Lantern is one of the lamest comic book characters. And this isn’t even the Green Lantern anyone cares about — Hal Jordan, the one Ryan Reynolds played in the movie. This is Alan Scott, a Green Lantern unknown to anyone but serious comics nerds, who debuted in the 1940s.

DC is loving the free publicity over its not-so-bold move. James Robinson, who writes “Earth 2,” the comic you’ve never heard of that features the gay Green Lantern, told USA Today: “He’s going to be the leader of the team, this dynamic hero, he’ll do anything to save people, the bravest man on the planet. Why not just make him gay as well?”

That sounds like DC patting itself on the back. Robinson, for all his good intentions, sounds kind of like that white guy who says, “I don’t see you as a black dude, I just see you as a dude.” As if that makes him worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize.

Also read: Green Lantern Outed as Gay Superhero — Well, Sort Of

Truth be told, comics — especially DC comics — are far behind television and other media in offering positive portrayals of gay characters. Which is ridiclous. Comics, which are basically soap operas with super heroes, can afford to take risks because of their very niche-oriented audience. DC should have done this years and years ago with a much more prominent character.

Before anyone says, “But the children,” go to a comic

This article originally appeared on: http://tv.yahoo.com/news/dcs-gay-green-lantern-super-cop-145752515.html