b r a v e c r e a t u r e s

Thumbing through some site or other I came across this picture and it reminded me of one of my favourite superheros as a child - The Green Arrow. This is clearly not your usual depiction of said hero, but is much more in keeping with my adult aesthetics. Lets face it, I have a recognised weakness for big blonds, and furry is seen as a plus.

The Green Arrow really didn't have super powers per say, but could do incredible things with arrows, and had arrows with amazing properties (shoot around corners, light, glue). The Arrow was also something of a social crusader, and that got my attention. As a member of the Justice League, he was an argumentative figure who often acted as the team's political conscience. He didn't have super foes, rather he usually fought corporate greed and injustice.

Interestingly the Arrow was teamed for a number of years with the Green Lantern - another of my favourites. There have been a number of people to hold the title of "Green Lantern" with each possessing a "power ring" that gives the user great control over the physical world as long as the wielder has sufficient willpower. While I don't have a power ring†, I get the feeling sometimes that my capacity to get things done is only limited by my will to do it.

The homoerotic implications of the Arrow / Lantern pairing was not lost on me, even as a child. I recall thinking how good they looked together and wondering whether they lived together. I really have never been anything other than a gay man, my brain is just wired to seeing guys together.

I am still trying to figure out which superhero I am, and Sue Storm isn't a good answer. Unfortunately the Lantern was a bit of a right wing republican and I find that all too hard to relate to, so he is no good. But whatever one I turn out to be, I think I would be hard pressed to find a better partner than the Green Arrow. Particularly if he looks like this.

† No comments from the peanut gallery please