June is Pride Month and it's a 30-day celebration of culture and remembrance of the people who paved the way for LGBTQIA+ culture and history. While there are parades, parties, and more joyous events to show how proud people are of themselves and the people who support them, it’s also a moment to give thanks to the people who have lost their lives due to ignorance, hate, and prejudice. That’s why having things like DC Comics’ Pride Anthology is crucial. It shows that some companies aren't backing down to billionaires saying that their culture isn't important.
Let me be clear by saying I’m aware that comic books are fantasy. Nevertheless, anything that brings attention to the LGBTQIA+ community in a positive light is a good thing, especially now. There are a lot of terrible things happening like violence toward trans people, pronouns being banned from workplaces, and attempted laws restricting human rights. This is happening worldwide. So DC Comics continuing their Pride Anthology is a big deal.
"DC Pride 2025 is a celebration of life, love and the power of community—even and especially in uncertain times."Tim Sheridan
A major part of the DC Pride Anthology is having voices within the LGBTQIA+ community telling stories. For example, this year, creators like Vita Ayala (New Mutants and Static Shock), Tim Sheridan (Teen Titans Academy and Alan Scott: The Green Lantern), and Josh Trujillo (Love Unlimited Infinity Comic and Blue Beetle) are involved in telling a story that should hit home with a lot of readers.
"It is such a huge honor to be part of the story DC has been telling and to help Josh Trujillo bring new character Ethan Rivera—along with my own personal soulmate and/or best friend, trans icon Blue Snowman—into this universe. "Jude Doyle
DC Comics says, "DC Pride 2025 brings DC’s heroes together when a century-old tavern, the center of queer life in Gotham City, unexpectedly announces its imminent closure. It’s a huge loss to the community, and generations of patrons return to pay respects to a space they’ve endowed with entire lifetimes of memories, wishes, and dreams—including Alan Scott, the Green Lantern."
Among the people telling tales within the anthology is Alan Scott. Here he will remember his time in the tavern meeting his first love, Johnny Ladd. While there, Scott has a moment where he will, “touch the wall on which they carved the symbol of their love, to remember the days before everything went to hell for them...and to say goodbye.” There’s no way this won’t be a heartwarming story in the beginning and maybe a heartbreaking one in the end.
"What made this project extra special to me was the way that the collaboration of creating the anthology almost mirrors the framework and ultimate solution of the metaphor at the heart of it. "Vita Ayala
One of the coolest parts of this will be the fan submissions. Through March 28 via the DC Official Discord Server, fans will be able to submit stories about moments that have impacted, or reflected, their LGBTQIA+ identity, journey, or experience. Some of them will be used with DC Pride 2025. So this isn’t just a moment of fiction. There will be real people telling their truths. It’s a beautiful touch to a glorious project. This writer sincerely hopes you read it and maybe learn something in the process.
Another thing to look for is DC Pride-themed variant covers. Among the ones you'll see are Detective Comics No. 1098 by artist Stephen Byrne, Superman No. 27 (Rachael Stott), JSA No. 6 (Don Aguillo), Harley Quinn No. 52, and Poison Ivy No. 34 (Betsy Cola), Justice League Unlimited No. 8 (Hayden Sherman), and Wonder Woman No. 22 (Kevin Wada).
It wouldn't be shocking if more variants were announced. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow and our social media sites Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter for more news on that as it's revealed.