The wedding of gay superhero Northstar
in Astonishing X-Men No. 51 has inspired a comic book store to
host a real life gay ceremony.
Scott Everhart, 39, and Jason Welker,
33, a couple from Columbus, Ohio married at Midtown Comics in
Manhattan on Wednesday.
The two self-described “comic book
geeks” were selected from more than 50 participants.
“They really stood out as
super-fans,” Thor Parker, the social media and event director at
Midtown Comics, told The New York Times.
One of the couple's first dates was
attending the 2011 Free Comic Book Day, an annual event to promote
comic books.
“It was my first attempt at doing
online dating,” said Welker.
Dressed in light gray-colored suits,
the couple's nuptials coincided with the release of Astonishing
X-Men No. 51.
Northstar, who has the gifts of flight
and speed, first came out in 1992. His marriage to Kyle includes
controversy as some characters refuse to attend the wedding.
“We're very proud to be able to take
part in this moment, in this opportunity to promote acceptance and
tolerance in the same spirit as the X-Men themselves,” Gerry
Gladston, a co-owner of the store, told the AP. “And what we have
found is that the fans are totally ecstatic about this topic, the
event.”