X-Factor #45 ends with a gay cliffhanger

Comics writer Peter David has a pretty gay-inclusive history. His original run on X-Factor is partially remembered for how used the status of mutantkind to explore gay issues, in 1999 he won a GLAAD media award for his work on Supergirl and his Madrox mini-series suggested that some of Jamie Madrox's selves were exploring his bisexual side.

With his return to X-Factor gay fans have been wondering where he would take the series and, indeed, he gave them quite a teaser at the end of the most recent issue.

But watch out for SPOILERS before you read any further:

There's been plenty of speculation about Shatterstar and Rictor over the years. Both characters' sexuality have stayed ambiguous and their relationship has been similarly unclear. At the end of X-Factor #45, however, a formerly-possessed Shatterstar comes to his senses and shares a kiss with Rictor.

The last page to X-Factor #45

Does this mean Shatterstar and Rictor's relationship is no longer ambiguous? We'll have to wait until next month to find out. In the meantime, however, I'm pretty sure this is the first time a male couple has been given the "will they or won't they" treatment in such a top-tier title.

And thanks to Cylon for bringing this to our attention.