DC Pride introduced the newest super team to the DC Universe, and the Justice League Queer have burst on the scene in the most timeless way possible.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for "Love Life," by Andrew Wheeler, Luciano Vecchio, Rex Lokus and Becca Carey, from DC Pride #1, on sale now.
DC Pride has finally arrived, and with it the most colorful collection of heroes and villains on any side of the rainbow. Of course, there are always malevolent forces at work no matter what season it happens to be, and Pride Month is no different for the DC Universe. Like many, Aqualad and newcomer Syl have gotten together to march in the annual Pride Parade. Unfortunately, the event soon gets rained out by one of DC's most classic villains. As bad as this all might seem, it just so happens to be the perfect chance for the Justice League Queer to introduce themselves, and they wouldn't miss that opportunity for the world.
Aqualad is a bit nervous for his first Pride parade, and is thankful for having Syl by his side. A friend of Raven's through his mystical mentor, the great Gregorio de la Vega, aka Extrano, Syl is happy to accompany Aqualad, even if it does look like rain. While a light shower wouldn't normally be something to effect Aqualad, he along with the rest of the crowd are soon overwhelmed by their own worst fears and insecurities, something that Syl quickly recognizes as the work of Eclipso. When Syl tries to lead Aqualad to safety, the young hero instead chooses to stay and fight no matter how powerful his new friend says Eclipso is. Syl isn't wrong about Eclipso, but Aqualad won't have to worry about fighting him alone as the Justice League Queer are just around the corner.
Aqualad puts up a good fight against Eclipso even if he is outmatched. Luckily, Gregorio de la Vega's Justice League Queer shows up not a moment too soon to show Eclipso his way out. The team is more than formidable with powerhouses such as Apollo, Midnighter and the Ray all in fighting shape, though they don't even get a chance to show Eclipso what they're made of. Steel, Bunker and Tremor all lead the charge, none of them missing a single strike on their enemy. Aerie and Wink both get to land a couple of their own devastating blows to the villain before he is forced through a portal to parts unknown by the combined mystical might of Traci Thirteen and Gregorio himself. Batwoman, Shining Knight, the Tasmanian Devil, and Crush don't seem too upset about having been left out of the fight, especially with how important of a battle it was for everyone involved. The Tasmanian Devil may not be particularly impressed with his husband's choice of name for this squad of heroes, but it's unlikely to change anytime soon considering what has brought them all together in the first place, not to mention their first official mission having been saving a Pride Parade.
Even if their first outing together proves to become an iconic moment in DC history, there is no guarantee that the team will be making any subsequent appearances. Considering their shot at a titular series was left in the dust during the initial round of DC's Round Robin event, it isn't likely that they will be showing back up in the near future in any title of their own. Of course, various members such as Aqualad and Crush are getting titles of their own before long, and there is nothing to say that the JLQ won't eventually find their own home series at some point. There is sure to be no shortage of fans eagerly awaiting their next adventure, and with any luck it won't be too long before that happens.
