I love the San Diego Comic Con. Well… I loved it as a kid. I loved going there and seeing props from shows you couldn’t see anywhere else, and I loved going there with my dad. It was relatively smaller back then. And I enjoy the modern Comic Con experience, with millions of people (okay, about 150,000) coming to San Diego to celebrate comics, cartoons, television, and more.
Make no mistake, it’s a crowd. For those of you who called ClexaCon “Line Con,” let me tell you, it’s nothing like the OG here. When I walked back to my hotel that evening, I saw people camping out in line for Hall H.
Although my press pass doesn’t allow me to skip lines, luckily Hall H is mainly reserved for large events. Every now and then a great TV show is on there, but most of the shows I cover aren’t there.
Queer TV is niche, not mega
This year I spent most of my time in the Indigo Ballroom (for adult entertainment such as The Legend of Vox Machina) and Ballroom 20 (for mid-range shows such as Ghosts And Snowpiercer). That’s not to say these shows don’t have killer fanbases, but Hall H has all the Marvel stuff and Doctor Who. The big things.
Queer content remains the smaller shows, the smaller groups, and the smaller venues. Sure, the Critical Role folks sold out Wembley for a live show, but that’s the real play. When you look at the animation, no matter how great it is, it’s niche. Even The Simpsons stays in ballroom 20.
Viewed from this perspective, it’s clear that the big guys are in the big rooms to make money. They attract the big news sites. Small sites like us pick up the crumbs. Normally, this isn’t so bad, but in our “post” COVID world, there are stricter caps on the number of people allowed in interview rooms and generally the fine print is left out, making it even harder to cover queer news.
So, is there any news?
There is! But it is mainly about adult animation, which seems to be the “safest” place for queer content at the moment. Both Hazbin Hotel and the already mentioned Legend of Vox Machina have notable queer characters, the former is practically full of them.
For Vox Machinaa series based on their second campaign, The mighty nois currently being worked on. This series has a range of queer characters, from lesbian and bisexual to nonbinary representation. BeauSha represents Trash. There is some crossover in the characters, but mostly it’s a new group in a new place on the same planet/universe.
Over in hell – I mean, on Hazbinthey have the green light for seasons 4 And 5! Executive producer (and creator) Vivienne Medrano has a plan for how the story will continue, where it will likely end, and basically hopes for years of the Helliverse. Something to look forward to? Let’s just say the guy with the TV head is important.
Why not Wynonna
Not long ago we all learned that Wynonna Earp with a 90-minute special called Wynonna Earp: Revenge. It airs on Tubi.
I don’t know if I really may add. The film promises to be the show we love, with Easter eggs everywhere, but also something that will be accessible to new fans. If you’re thinking “Does that mean… more?” Possibly! The folks at Tubi who were at the event were a little surprised by the passion of the fans (so was the annoying guy on the phone behind me, but that’s another story). The film will show us what happens after “And they lived happily ever after” and they tend to feel like they have found a family and are not perfect.
Everything else is crumbs
To Ghosts our questionably queer Flower is back (she’s the most unreliable narrator you’ll ever meet). tracker? The lesbian caregiver (singular) will still be in the background. One goes and maybe, PerhapsWill we get more? Robin Weigert, who played the role of Teddi Bruin, is not in the second season, but Abby McEnany (who plays Velma) is promised to get more scenes.
Anne Rice’s universe is constantly being updated and “fixed” to give more space to the real population, so expect more casual readers there.
But is there a big new show with a queer lead?
Right. You know the answer.
This is not Comic Con’s fault
Given the recent strikes, the state of AI and the hate that is going on internationally, there are fewer and fewer queer shows. There are no Batwoman or Tommy in 2024. Not even a comedy. It’s the same old thing on TV, and if they break the mold, then it’s Abbot Elementary Schoolwhich I believe is the only modern comedy that actually reflects the nature of the real world.
The cleaning lady insulted their bisexual, The Acolyte failed to clarify that these are really lesbian witch mothers. In fact, fifteen or even ten years ago, I would have advocated adding these mothers because, come on! But today? Would it kill you to show their room with a bed? Or an “I love you” or even a kiss?
Don’t get me wrong, I think they’re lesbian witch mothers. I just want more than hand-holding and tender looks. Maybe it’s because their lives in secret extend to all sorts of things. Maybe it’s the most they can allow themselves.
The answer, ultimately, is that television offers us gays everything that resembles new, good programs.
I really hope this changes soon.
About Mika A. Epstein
Mika has been deeply rooted in the fandom since she could say “Trekkie.” With decades of experience running fan sites, developing software, and organizing communities, she has taken on the challenge of diving into the depths of television for long-forgotten queers. Creating this site with Tracy is nothing short of a happy coincidence. Mika lives with her wife in Southern California. Of course she has a hybrid bike, but she prefers to ride her bike.
