Locke expressed his frustration over reactions to his queer character, saying, 'It was like, 'Oh, why has Marvel done this campy gay stereotype?.' You can't ask for authentic casting and then be upset if you have a camp character.' He emphasizes the disconnect between audience expectations and the representation of queer identities.
He acknowledges the negativity from the Marvel fandom compared to his experiences with Heartstopper fans, stating, 'I’m fully aware that the Marvel fandom is far less nice than the Heartstopper fandom.' This highlights the challenges of engaging with different fanbases and the potential backlash against representation in mainstream media.
Locke reveals Marvel's encouragement for him to keep his character's flamboyant essence intact, saying, 'We want you to stay small and twink-y.' This challenges traditional notions of masculinity and physicality often expected from male leads in superhero narratives.
He reflects on the weight of public opinion, commenting, 'Marvel fans are very open with their opinions. But they're not in a Marvel show, so... I'm doing the one thing that they really wish they could be doing. Sorry!' This illustrates his understanding of the unique position he holds within the franchise.
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