Representation in Comics
Superheroes? More Like Superqueeroes
The new Superman is bisexual. While some disapprove, many others feel seen.
In interviews, writer of the “Superman: Son of Kal-El” comics, Tom Taylor says that there has been an outpouring of support. Many members of the LGBTQ+ community has been in contact with him, telling him how much it means to see such an important figure in contemporary media as a queer representation.
While there has been lots of support, others have been audibly and visibly upset. The most loud about this has been Dean Cain. Cain played Clark Kent’s Superman in the 1990’s show “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.” The former Superman actor claims that making Superman bisexual is just bandwagon-ing, and that there are better directions to go in. The vast majority seems to disagree with Cain, if not outright celebrate the new bisexual Superman.
Many have taken to Twitter to voice their thoughts.
Some, such as Wendy Rogers, Arizona’s state senator, expressed their outrage.
Others, such as random Twitter user @DeepStankPickle, made cheap jokes at the expense of gay people.
Far more jumped to the defense of the new Superman.
Twitter user @PurpleChrain decided to start an entire twitter thread to combat the scathing comments.
Others combated popular arguments against gay representation.
Others tackled the argument that Superman had always been straight, pointing out that Jonathon Kent is a different character, and is, in fact, one of the newest DC characters, created in 2015.
Some posted their adorable fanart to commemorate the occasion.
The fact that the new Superman is bisexual is very important for several reasons. The first one and more obvious one is that it provides much needed representation. Another reason is that Superman is open and out, which may inspire readers. The last reason is the least obvious, and that reason is that it will be very difficult to erase this identity later on, especially as bisexual identities are already erased far too often.
In addition to being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Taylor says that Superman will be tackling new kinds of problems that are more suited to modern issues. When asked about the plot, he said “Without giving too much away, Jon’s heart is going to see him stand up to something the rest of the world is willing to ignore. He is going to make powerful people very angry. And his world will be threatened.” Whether this is a reference to Superman’s bisexuality and the issues that may come along with it, or the issues tackling climate change and refugees that Taylor has mentioned in the past, a new kind of Superman is on his way.
Superman isn’t the first LGBTQ+ character from DC Comics, and he isn’t even the first character to come out as bisexual this year. In August, 2021, the third Robin, Tim Drake, also came out as bisexual. Superman and Robin are two of the most beloved characters in the entirety of DC Comics. Having them come out as bisexual is a large step forward and an important moment in comic book history, especially considering the previous lack of LGBTQ+ characters in superhero franchises.
Up until the past few years, there was very little queer representation. DC Comics is doing its best to fill that gap, with the occasional character from Marvel Comics helping.
Among the DC Comics characters, there are far more well known and beloved characters joining the ranks of the LGBTQ+ community. Among these characters are Superman, Robin, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Batwoman, the newest Kid Flash, Bart Allen, John Constantine, and even some versions of Wonder Woman. In this aspect, Marvel doesn’t just fall behind, but they are barely in the running, with their most well known LGBTQ+ characters being Loki, Deadpool, Mystique, Valkyrie, Iceman, Wiccan (the son of the Scarlet Witch), and Miss America. Marvel’s list of characters is not only fewer, but also more obscure. There may or may not be other more well-known LGBTQ+ among the franchise, but it hasn’t been made clear in the same way that DC’s characters have been.
The issue with many of the Marvel characters is that to know that any of those characters are LGBTQ+, you have to search out the information or be very well versed in comics. Even the characters that are canonically LGBTQ+ on the big screen only leave small hints and clues. That makes it hard for children and teens who are looking for themselves in their favorite characters to read between the lines and pick up on the clues.
Representation is vital in the development of peoples identities. When people do not see themselves in the world around them, it can lead to discomfort with themselves and others who share their identity. Comics are a widespread beloved cultural item, and the characters they contain even more so. This means that when characters identify as another identity, it often helps people to accept others and themselves.
Representation is important, and comic book characters are some of the most well known and loved in modern day pop culture.
