from NTT (1984) #10-11
Is this queer-coding or just homophobic?
Excerpt 1: The way Kole phrases her question, and the way Joey answers it with a vague “no” - is it just me or does it seem like it’s meant to be ambiguous whether he’s saying “no” to liking girls or to wanting Kole??
Excerpt 2: “Fear is not manly. His father, even his mother, had taught him that” - ok so this storyline dips into Joey’s gentle nature VS learned toxic masculinity a bit. Which is fine. But when you put that theme up against Kole coming onto him, and the way Joey is struggling whether he should return her advances even tho he clearly doesn’t feel the same way about her - is this him feeling the comphet aspect of performing masculinity, or is he just women-attracted but dealing with toxic masculinity and feeling like he must return her advances nonetheless? Either way you look at it, he’s put in the vulnerable position and Kole seems rather pushy and downright predatory and it’s sending alarm bells off in my head. This can’t be the basis for any healthy relationship (which irks me because every other Titan that is in a relationship at this point is engaged in an honest and communicative one).
