Freedom Ring

Freedom Ring (Curtis Doyle) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Robert Kirkman. Curtis first appeared in Marvel Team-Up vol. 3 #20 (July 2006), becoming Freedom Ring in the next issue. He appeared across the series' storyline "Freedom Ring" for five issues. The character is depicted as a normal civilian who comes across a ring that grants him the ability to alter reality.

Kirkman intended Freedom Ring to be an example of a superhero who demonstrated inexperience with his superpowers, as he felt that most superheroes quickly adjusting to their powers and having a successful superhero career did not reflect reality. When asked by a fan about the number of visibly gay comic book superheroes, Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada also touted the Freedom Ring as Marvel's leading gay hero. However, in the next issue, the character was killed, leading to controversy and accusations of homophobia from some comic book reviewers.

Kirkman defended his writing decision as having "nothing but good intentions", highlighting his original concept of "an inexperienced hero who would get beaten up constantly and probably die", claiming that Freedom Ring's sexuality was merely an attempt to simultaneously write a well-rounded ordinary male character who happened to be gay. Later, Kirkman admitted that he regretted killing Freedom Ring due to the relatively limited number of gay characters in mainstream comics.

Publication history

Freedom Ring first appeared as a civilian, Curtis Doyle, in Marvel Team-Up vol. 3 #20 as part of the five-issue "Freedom Ring" storyline. The character adopts the Freedom Ring superhero persona in the next issue. Freedom Ring is featured in the storyline until issue #24, when he is killed in battle. The series was canceled by issue #25.

Fictional character biography

Curtis Doyle is a civilian who obtains a reality-warping ring made from a Cosmic Cube fragment after Captain America loses it. His friend Troy calls the ring a "free, dumb ring", which gives Curtis the idea for his superhero name. When Curtis accidentally creates a sundae out of thin air, he discovers that the ring gives him the ability to alter reality. He runs away terrified, but when he returns, he finds that the sundae has disappeared without a trace. He calls Troy, and later, they have a long night of super-power practice.

The next day while Curtis is on a date with Jeffrey, a waiter from a diner that he frequented, the Abomination attacks nearby and Curtis runs off to fight him. While fighting Abomination along with Spider-Man and the X-Men, Curtis was seriously injured. Spider-Man rushed him to the hospital while the X-Men defeat the Abomination.

Curtis recovers, but is told he will never walk again. Troy helps him return home, and Curtis uses the ring to restore his legs. Going after Troy, who just left, he finds that his neighbor is an undercover Skrull who was sent to monitor the Avengers just before they disassembled. Losing track of them, the Skrull turns his spy equipment toward his neighbors. He knows everything about Curtis, and having decided to become a superhero himself (dubbed Crusader), asks Curtis if he wishes to be his partner.

Curtis is unsure, given what happened with the Abomination, but the Crusader convinces Curtis that he can do it, because if he fixed his legs, he can make himself stronger and faster, and less reliant on conjuring up the right item. Curtis agrees, making himself stronger, and practices with Crusader for two weeks. In a later battle with Iron Maniac, Curtis reveals the source of his power. Though he is able to immobilize the villain, Curtis does not expect Iron Maniac's armor to expand outwards. When it does, his ring finger is sliced off and his body is pierced multiple times, killing him. Freedom Ring's ring is acquired by Crusader, who utilizes it as a member of the Initiative during "Secret Invasion".

Powers and abilities

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Curtis Doyle in his civilian identity. Art by Andy Kuhn.

Curtis Doyle originally had no inherent super-powers on his own. However, the character comes into possession of a ring crafted from a fragment of a destroyed Cosmic Cube which allows the wearer to alter reality within a radius of roughly 15 feet (4.6m) around him, giving him a Template:Convert sphere of reality he can alter.

After his first attempt as Freedom Ring, he altered his physiology to give himself superhuman strength, speed, stamina and durability.

Controversy

Freedom Ring's death was met with negative reactions, including accusations of homophobia from gay comic book sites Gay League and Prism Comics, specifically because Joe Quesada touted him as Marvel Comics' leading gay hero a month prior to his death.

Robert Kirkman commented on the controversy, stating:

Kirkman later confirmed his opinion, stating,