Brad Steele: TOP or BOTTOM? An In-Depth Report
Jazzed as I am to be getting so many complimentary e-mails about the latest episode, # 198, where (SPOILER ALERT) Brad & Matt “do it”…I’m a bit confounded, and mainly amused, by how many folks are writing to say, essentially, “oh, I didn’t realize Brad was a bottom!”. In fact, many readers are quite happy about it. Which is all news to me, as, (I thought), I deliberately left it vague about just who was being the bottom and/or top in the panel in question. One of my friends even wrote back to assure me that, no, the evidence absolutely points to Brad being the bottom in this situation. I’m still not convinced. Let’s go to the scene in question, shall we?
I dunno’, it still looks inconclusive to me. I mean, first of all, Brad is on top. Of course, he could be “riding” Matt, which means, so far…. inconclusive. What do you think? Click on “comments” below, and share your thoughts!
I think this whole obsession with tops and bottoms is too funny. First, as a gay man you actually HAVE options, why the heck restrict yourself? Second, I don’t get the whole value idea put on POSITION. I mean, some gay men are so concerned with this top image that they even felt it necessary to let ME know they are top. WHY? Third, it makes no sense to me worrying about men being tops or bottoms, if you like someone, make it work sheesh (and I know a monogamous couple who has made is work for 23 years!). And last, I thought the drawing was ambiguous, but what the heck do I know, I am a school marm who drives the mommy bus in her so called spared time.
Michelle
Comment by Michelle — February 17, 2007 @ 8:32 am
My first thought was “he’s riding cowboy.” Brad’s torso position, lack of arm shadow for bracing, particularly for missionary unless he likes weird load bearing stresses (pardon the pun), and the lack of leg shadow from Matt immediately made me think “wow, Brad’s bottoming” followed by “that’s really bloody hot! I hope this is the beginning of a long term coupling.”
It doesn’t seem ambiguous to me at all. Besides Matt is versatile. If Brad is bottoming it simply means that he likes it’ It’s not like Brad is being painted into a role. It’s internalized homophobia that puts too much stress on position over personality and character. God knows no one isn’t debating how many Apollo and Midnighter are based on assumptions on who’s top and who’s bottom. Brad and Matt are having fun. It’s a sweet connection.
However, that image, and this is coming from a retired lothario, screams to me that Brad is taking a long pleasureable ride home. That shouldn’t cause a big uproar as much as Brad is actually getting laid.
Hank
:)
Comment by Hank — February 17, 2007 @ 11:17 am
My comment is simple. In earlier times, in other cultures, a man wasn’t a “homo” unless he was “recieving.” But today we are surely past all that. The hero is versatile.
Comment by Ron Mershart — February 17, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
Just when I thought I had figured this strip out… I just knew they were not going to go any further than that date. I knew that they might have dinner and that’s it! Boy, was I wrong. And that panel, to be honest, I said I don’t know who is top or bottom. My first thought was that he could be riding and then I remember he’s not versatile, so then I thought he was a top. But it doesn’t matter. I am still getting over the shock of those two: 1. going out on a date, 2. enjoying each others company, and 3. HAVING SEX?!! I had to calm down after that last strip.
Comment by Choc — February 21, 2007 @ 11:32 pm
I LOVE THAT DRAWING AT THE TOP!!!!!!!
Comment by Choc — February 21, 2007 @ 11:35 pm
Hmmm…. I guess that I’m the only guy who looked at that panel and assumed that Brad was topping Matt, especially given how “straight acting” Brad can be. However, I think the whole top vs. bottom thing is no longer that major an issue, as most gay guys I know (myself included) are versatile to some degree…kinda like the Kinsey Scale (0 is totally top, 6 is totally bottom, and 3 is equally liking both).
Comment by Mike — February 22, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
Clearly, Brad is the top here. 2 reasons: #1, look at the angle of his butt. That is clearly positioned for entering Matt, not receiving him. #2, look at the dialogue. Matt sounds much more like he’s “taking it” than Brad.
Comment by Sean — February 23, 2007 @ 2:57 am
By the hairstyle it is very easy to deduce that Brad is riding on Matt´s “organ”. So, not so difficult that many people have made comments about Brad´s being a bottom, at least at this time.
Comment by Isaias Ramos Garcia — March 2, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
Brad is versatile, and in this picture he’s the top! Where are his legs if he was sitting on Matt’s cock?!
Comment by Peter from Amsterdam — March 12, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
It IS inconclusive… but who cares! I was happy that you had drawn the strip (no pun intended!) so tastefully. Thank you for showing us that these guys have real feelings for each other and didn’t have to resort to excessive alcohol to make it happen. btw… I liked your touch of humor about leaving their socks on!
Comment by Jim M — March 13, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
I think you did a great job, Greg. I looked carefully at it more than once and couldn’t determine who was where with what.
Comment by Bill — March 19, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
Wow all this stress over position… I just thought it was so hot to see them going at it. Never occured to me to analyze who was top or who was bottm… it was just so hot.
Comment by Mike — March 20, 2007 @ 8:35 am