On National Coming Out day, DC Comics has revealed that their newest Superman, Jon Kent, will be bisexual.
Since his first appearance in comic books about 80 years ago, Superman has accomplished a lot. He’s saved the world on numerous occasions, and even he’s died and then resurrected.
Until this year, every version of Superman in the comics has been smitten by longtime love Lois Lane. However, the Man of Steel will have a same-sex relationship in an upcoming issue of a new “Superman” series.
According to DC Comics, the fifth issue of “Superman: Son of Kal-El” will confirm that the new Superman, Jon Kent, the son of Clark Kent and Lane, is bisexual after falling for Jay Nakamura, a male reporter.
The news came on National Coming Out Day, which began in 1988 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights and has since evolved into an annual event on October 11.
Even though it began in the United States, it is commemorated in numerous countries throughout the world.
Carrying Superman’s legacy
Following the events of the Future State crossover, Jon officially took over the mantle of Superman from his father. While Action Comics follows Clark Kent’s exploits off-world, “Superman: Son of Kal-El” follows 17-year-old Jon as he grapples with the most important responsibility of his young life. But at the very least, he now has someone new with whom to share his life.
On November 9, in the fifth issue, Jon Kent, also known as “the Superman of Earth,” struggles to cope with the enormity of his new role. The series’ third issue introduced Nakamura, a bespectacled writer with a bubble-gum pink mop and a hacktivist who idolises Jon’s mother, as a shoulder for Kent to depend on when the business of becoming Superman gets too hard, demonstrating that the Kryptonian apple does not fall far from the tree.
Kent’s sexuality isn’t the only aspect of the character that has been altered for a modern audience. He has recently been shown protesting the deportation of refugees, preventing a high school shooting, and attempting to put out wildfires that have contributed to the climate disaster.
LGBTQ characters in the DC universe
The choice to make the current Man of Steel come out as bisexual is the most high-profile example yet of comic book publishers broadening the scope of LGBTQ representation within their pages.
Tim Drake, or Robin, Batman’s loyal sidekick, came out as bisexual in an issue published by DC in August. Other notable LGBTQ comic characters include DC’s Batwoman, Harley Quinn, and Alan Scott (aka the first Green Lantern), as well as Marvel’s Iceman, America Chavez (as Miss America), and Northstar, who was one of the first openly queer superheroes when he debuted in 1992.
The writer’s view:
“Superman: Son of Kal-El #5” was written by Tom Taylor (“Dark Knights of Steel”) and illustrated by John Timms (“Harley Quinn”). The plot of the issue will be revealed in November, but pictures from the comic show Kent and Nakamura kissing and sitting together atop a skyscraper, their legs dangling over the side.
“I’ve always believed that everyone needs heroes and that everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in their heroes, and I’m thrilled that DC and Warner Bros. share this belief,” Taylor said in a statement.
“The symbol of Superman has always represented hope, truth, and justice.” Today, the sign has taken on a new meaning. Today, more individuals can identify with comics’ most powerful superhero.”
This latest development is part of Jon Kent’s broader journey in the DC Universe, which will occur in 2021 and beyond.
