Marjorie Liu, writer of Astonishing X-Men, returned to Comicopia in Boston today, where she signed copies of the latest issue of the title. Even if you don’t read comic books, you’ve probably heard about what Liu has done, that is, officiating (what else to call the writer of the book but its officiant) over the wedding of Jean-Paul and Kyle, the first same-sex comic book wedding (which I wrote about for The Good Men Project a couple of weeks ago).
Liu remembered me and the kids, asked about Shaun (who writes here about meeting Liu last month), and thanked us for coming to today’s signing event. I picked up a couple of extra copies of the issue (variant covers, which I knew Shaun wanted, and which he had photoshopped us into, at least a photo of this variant cover) and confessed to Liu that I had something particular in mind I wanted her to write on one of the copies I brought for her to sign.
Earlier this week, I conspired with Shaun’s comic book store to add something to the issue of Astonishing X-Men 51 that he bought. So, on the newsstand edition of 51, I asked Liu to write out the vows that Jean-Paul and Kyle exchange. Which she did, gladly, though I had worried about asking her to do so much. I shouldn’t have worried. She, and a couple of women hanging out in the store, thought the request romantic. (I also told her about my love note subterfuge.)
What I like about going to these events–even if taking the kids with me sometimes proves challenging–is that you get the chance to talk to the writer, and if you ask the right questions, you end up finding out things that you wouldn’t know otherwise. Which happened today. Adds something to the experience of collecting and reading, knowing the little details. Or glimpses into what’s to come.
After leaving the store, I called Shaun–who is in the middle of a visit with his parents this weekend–and left a message. Then I texted him pictures of the books. (He’s here next weekend, so he’ll be able to take home his signed copy, though I’m holding the copy on which Liu wrote the vows hostage here, but framed; of course I’ll frame it).
“Holy. God. That is fantastic,” he texted.
“I know.”
“I love you,” he replied. “This you also know, but I like saying it.”
Vows. Glimpses into what’s to come.
