After controversially grabbing global headlines in November last year with their glamorous comic debut, the world’s first gay superteam are back for more action! And Issue Two features none other than Her Majesty herself, the Queen – as a Buckingham Palace burglary sparks off Spandex’s latest adventure!
Issue two sees the Brighton-based gay-team head to Japan to recover the crown jewels and replace a fallen team-mate! There, they face the formidable swords of the Pink Ninjas, the terrifying Gayzilla, and they recruit Neon, the world’s first gay, fluorescent ninja!
Spandex creator Martin also promises possibly the most shocking scene ever shown in a gay superhero comic! “Things really kick off in issue two,” says Martin. “We really get to know the characters a lot more, and I’m going to be playing on the expectations of the readers. You will not believe what happens! I really want to explore aspects of sexuality and relationships in this comic. These guys’ adventures don’t finish at the bedroom door. This issue is mature and definitely not for kids – comics have finally grown up.”
Spandex is now being published as an ongoing comic title, with eventual book collections in the pipeline. “The original plan was to publish issue one, and then work on a bigger book,” says Martin, “but after global media attention, it was just too exciting to wait!” Spandex hit the headlines back in November – not just in the UK, but in Australia, Russia, America, Germany – all over the world – too.
Spandex comic #2 will be on sale from 22 May – launching at the Bristol Expo Comic Convention – and then will be available from the Spandex website, selected comic shops and via online download. Each reader will receive a special Pink Ninja badge (while stocks last!).
Tying in with this issue is ‘Japandex’, an online gallery of Japan - related artwork all with a Spandex twist – provided by the UK’s best independent comic artists.
Spandex comic #2
On-sale 22 May
For more information on Spandex comic, visit: http://www.spandexcomic.com
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More information on Spandex and the Spandex team:
LIBERTY
The leader of the team and the world’s first transvestite superhero! Libery has a (female) power suit which gives her strength and flight, and she also has her own ‘Gaydar’ (like Spider Sense, but gayer). In Issue Two, we learn that the cheerful leader has a very manipulative side...
BUTCH
Brooding and quiet, Butch is dealing with the assassination of her brother, and the fact she is dating the team’s biggest enemy, Pussy.
GLITTER
The team’s joker – but when his lover is murdered, how will this affect his behaviour?
PROWLER
Prowler has the power to absorb the skills and abilities of any gay person – so that could mean taking the powers of a team-mate or enemy, or, in this issue, learning how to speak Japanese!
DIVA
Inspired by Britney Spears (!), Diva is the most beautiful superhero you’ll ever see... But don’t let those good looks deceive you... Diva is deadly in a fight, and she has many, many deep, dark secrets...
INDIGO
Indigo has her ‘Indigo Room’, a room full of weapons, gadgets and costume changes, which she can visit in the blink of an eye. Issue Two sees her develop feelings for a male team-mate…
NEON
Trained by Pei Gay, Neon is the world's first gay flourescent ninja and a former member of Japan's biggest superteam, The J-Team.
FUTURE ISSUES
Prepare for gay zombies in issue three in a story called '...If You Were The Last Man Alive'. The issue focuses on Glitter and we get to see a very different side to him. Then issues four to six contain a huge Spandex epic, as the team are attacked individually by Les Girlz
, TOKYOPOP has a young readers’ winner in Ratman. As a superhero comic, it reads just as well as any of the superhero titles that Marvel Comics (their “First Class” and “Marvel Adventures” lines) and DC Comics (Johnny DC) aim at young readers. I also think that Ratman, while it does have the missteps and misfires one would expect early in a series, has much potential.
