New Superman will come out as bisexual
The new Superman — the son of Clark Kent and journalist Lois Lane — has taken a bold new direction in his fictional life and will come out as bisexual in an upcoming comic issue due Nov. 9, DC Comics announced.
Few story line details have been revealed, but the plot will see Jon Kent strike up a friendship and later fall for pink-haired reporter Jay Nakamura, DC Comics said. The romance will bloom after Jon seeks support from the stresses of “trying to save everyone that he can” in the pages of “Superman:
Son of Kal-el #5,” written by Tom Taylor alongside artist John Timms.
“I’ve always said everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes and I’m very grateful DC and Warner Bros. share this idea,” Taylor said. “Superman’s symbol has always stood for hope, for truth and for justice.”
The announcement coincided with Monday’s National Coming Out Day, which began in 1988 to mark the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights and has since become an annual event held Oct. 11. Although it began in the
United States, it is marked in many places around the world.
Jon Kent, who will step into his father’s superhero shoes and don his brightred cape, has previously been depicted aiding the world against climate change, supporting refugees as well as traveling across galaxies with his Kryptonian grandfather.
“We couldn’t be prouder to tell this important story,” said DC chief creative officer and publisher Jim Lee. “We talk a lot about the power of the DC Multiverse in our storytelling and this is another incredible example.”
Many fans welcomed the decision as overdue. “It’s about time. Now we need more people of color and how about a lesbian superhero too,” wrote one Twitter user. Another said, “DC is providing an inclusive environment. Period. Representation matters.”
However, the decision sparked some backlash in conservative quarters, with Ohio-based Republican politician Josh Mandel tweeting: “Bisexual comic books for kids. They are literally trying to destroy America.” The deputyleader of a small, rightleaning British political party, Martin Daubney, said “One by one, the woke virus consumes the heroes of yore.”