Historically, thanks to the Comics Code Authority, open celebration of queer characters was not allowed in mainstream comic books, especially at big companies like Marvel. However, the CCA expired more than a decade ago and since then creators have transitioned from including queer-coded characters like Northstar to openly queer heroes like Hulkling, Deadpool, and Gwenpool.
Readers celebrating Pride Month are looking for the best LGBTQIA comics. Marvel's mutants and outsiders are part of comics' larger mosaic and they've come a long way in recent years. Some of Marvel's greatest heroes celebrate Pride, and while representation is great, it's good to see that they're no longer defined purely by their queer identities. Comics are still growing in this regard but Marvel's come a long way.
10 Children of the Atom
A much-loved, short-lived miniseries, Children of the Atom features the budding romance between the genderfluid Cyclops-Lass and proud lesbian Gimmick. Lasting only six issues, this powerful series by the talented Vita Ayala featured dynamic art by Bernard Chang and Paco Medina.
Children of the Atom explores racial, sexual, and gender diversity, as well as the importance of staying true to one's self. It was well-received by critics and fans alike, but its short run meant Children of the Atom left a lot of big questions unanswered and its fans are still waiting for a sequel.
9 Marvel Voices: Iceman
The acclaimed Marvel Voices series uplifts characters and stories that otherwise might not make it into the spotlight. This four-issue arc covers Iceman's new life as an out gay man. Writer and artist Luciano Vecchio masterfully weaves together many threads for this short story.
Featuring former X-Man Bobby Drake's most popular love interests, including the charming Inhuman Romeo and the dark bad boy Christian Frost, Marvel Voices: Iceman explores the queer mutant's coming of age, as well as Bobby's battle with his father's rejection.
8 New Mutants (Vol. 4)
Featuring a roster of writers including Vita Ayala, Charlie Jane Anders, and Ed Brisson, volume four of New Mutants was written for the modern era. The series includes characters of multiple sexualities, including lesbians Xuân Cao Mạnh and Gabby Kinney, as well as a gay man, Victor Borkowski, better known to X-Men fans as Anole.
This incarnation of New Mutants was popular with critics and fans alike and ran for 33 issues between 2020 and 2023. It uses the theme of mutant persecution as an allegory for homophobic violence and features plenty of storylines longtime comics fans will love.
7 Deadpool
One of Marvel's most popular characters, Deadpool has headlined in several series, but the 2022 run written by Alyssa Wong embraced the character's pansexuality. It introduced his nonbinary love interest, Valentine Vuong, an assassin who feels an immediate connection with Deadpool.
Deadpool has flirted with Spider-Man and the personification of Death itself. For Deadpool, sexuality truly isn't about the person's gender, but about how they make him feel. The 2022 series let Deadpool explore his sexuality while still remaining the merc with a mouth fans know and love.
6 Love Unlimited: Karma in Love
Much like Marvel Voices, Love Unlimited focuses on the stories of marginalized characters. "Karma in Love" is a six-issue arc that follows mutant Xuân Cao Mạnh, better known as Karma, and her complicated relationship woes with fellow team member, Elle Diwa.
Written and illustrated by Trung Le Nguyen, the arc emphasizes the value of both found and biological family. It acknowledges Karma's Vietnamese heritage while still embracing her new life on Krakoa. Significantly, this story gives Karma and Elle the opportunity to have a healthy discussion about their relationship and reconcile.
5 America
In America, America Chavez searches for belonging, a theme that will resonate with many members of the LGBTQIA community. The series won acclaim for being the first Marvel Comic to feature an LGBT Latin-American character in a superhero series' title role.
Gabby Rivera, the award-winning author of Juliet Takes A Breath, wrote this heartfelt series exploring America's identity both as a Latina and as a lesbian. Critics complimented the action sequences and overall tone, drawing comparisons to Matt Fraction's Hawkeye.
4 Marvel Voices: Negasonic Teenage Warhead
Andrew Wheeler wrote this six-issue arc following Ellie Phimister, the mutant hero known as Negasonic Teenage Warhead. Ellie seeks out Emma Frost's wise mentorship after she learns she is destined to end the universe with her powers. Emma is supportive of Ellie's need to fix the timeline and save the world, pulling together heroes from across the globe.
Artist Eleonora Carlina gorgeously depicts Negasonic's adventure through space, dodging the Time Variance Authority to find Yuki Ohara and deliver a universe-saving true love's kiss. This story also zooms in on Ellie's close friendship with pansexual hero Deadpool, and a multitude of strong female heroes banding together to support Ellie's struggle against the TVA.
3 Young Avengers
Created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, Young Avengers features a plethora of LGBTQ+ characters, as well as characters who question their identity. Protagonists Wiccan and Hulkling have a fan-favorite relationship that culminated in their marriage in Empyre.
Starting in Young Avengers volume two, America Chavez joins the team and begins a long-running flirtation with Kate Bishop. Wiccan's brother Speed also finds love with David Alleyne, who develops a close friendship with America Chavez. The Young Avengers are a beautiful, messy, queer found family, and the series explores diversity without being preachy about it. These are great characters, from start to finish.
2 Love Unlimited: Gwenpool
Jeremy Whitley's take on Gwenpool features a masterclass in asexuality and the asexual spectrum. Whitley's writing seamlessly explains asexuality in a way that anyone can grasp, while not forgetting about Gwen Poole and her humorous heart.
Gweenpool's storyline also explains Gwen's relationship to her ace identity. Gwen's struggled with feelings of alienation her entire life, stemming from her lack of romantic and sexual attraction. In this tale, she explores her identity in the safety of a queer club, among people like herself, and comes to understand herself better. The queer solidarity between Gwen, Julie Power, and the rest of the club could and should warm the coldest hearts.
1 Runaways
Originally written by Brian K. Vaughan, Runaways has always explored the messiest parts of teenage life, including teen sexuality. With lesbian Karolina Dean and her betrothed, the genderfluid Skrull Xavin, Runaways recognized the importance of queer issues from the very start.
Later Runaways stories, written by Rainbow Rowell, feature a slow-burning love story between Karolina and Nico Minoru, two friends who have felt a unique connection since early in the series. Runaways is a testament of queer joy and finding love even under the direst circumstances.