'Immortal Hulk' Character Comes Out as Trans

We’re still waiting for LGBTQ representation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — though the G and the B rep are reportedly on the way — but the comics aren’t holding back.

A relatively new, but important, character in the Immortal Hulk series has just come out as trans in a recent issue.

Dr. Charlene McGowan opened up to another character, Doc Samson, about her trans identity and how she’s worried the current big bad’s plan to alter the memories of the world will undo all the soul-searching she did earlier in life to get to where she is today.

“The realization of [being trans]…it was the start of this long process of…self-examination, I guess,” she says. “Or self-discovery. I spent a lot of time working out what was me, and what wasn’t. What was a story told about me, to me, by the world.

“And now, this…thing…it can force its own narratives onto me, even into my head…and…and I’ve had enough of that. Who I am belongs to me.”

McGowan being trans was hinted at pretty heavily a previous issue, having her explain that she had helped move black-market HRT that she synthesized herself, while holding onto a mug sporting a pink, white, and blue version of the Captain America emblem, aka the colors of the trans flag.

The confirmation of McGowan’s identity comes shortly after Marvel announced a line-up including new queer and non-binary heroes that didn’t really sit well with fans.

There’s still no word on when a trans hero might come to the MCU films, but we’ll keep hoping every step is a move in the right direction.