The new Superman is bisexual as declared by DC Comics on National Coming Out Day (October 11, 2021) in the United States.
DC Comics currently has two Supermen appearing in their own comic books: Jon Kent and Clark Kent.
The new Superman is Jonathan Samuel Kent or Jon Kent, son of the original Superman (Clark Kent/Kal-El) and Lois Lane.
Clark Kent’s Kryptonian name is Kal-El. His father is Jor-El. Jon’s Kryptonian name is Jon-El. Jon Kent as noticeable in the name is a member of the House of El of Krypton.
Jon Kent is now a member of the El-GBTs of the world.
When DC Comics announced nearly a decade ago that Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern, would be reimagined as a gay man, I was filled with both glee and displeasure.
A gay superhero is good representation for us LGBTs. But, did they get permission from the creators to change his sexual orientation? Alan Scott’s creators were dead by then, and DC Comics owns the copyright so they can do whatever they want with their property.
Nevertheless, I am of the belief that if a character is created heterosexual by his/her creator, the character should remain heterosexual for her/his entire fictional life; the same goes for characters created gay by their creators; unless, the creator/s is/are still alive and has/have given their permission (whether they are the copyright owners or not) to have their creations changed.
Some of my siblings (the LGBTs) may think I’m being homophobic with this stance. Not at all. While I believe in artistic license, I also believe in respecting a creator’s work (unless, of course, such work promotes hate and violence).
Looking back at Alan Scott’s history, words were seemingly coded (in the 1940s) as to imply his orientation. This, in my opinion, does not give DC Comics license to change him. I think I would be up in arms if Darna suddenly turned lesbian or bisexual without permission from her creator Mars Ravelo (who has been dead for decades). One can argue, though, that Mars Ravelo wouldn’t mind considering he has LGBT creations of his own.
In reality, one’s sexual orientation is not as straightforward as one thinks. Straight today, gay/bi/pan/etc tomorrow. A lot of factors can come into play. And, I am quite certain DC Comics banks on that fact of life.
Former Superman actor Dean Cain calls DC’s move to make the new Superman gay as “bandwagoning.” I tend to agree with Cain (because he raised good points and put his claim into context). But, with Superman, DC’s bandwagoning is something I welcome with glee and great pleasure.
Jon Kent first appeared in 2015 as a 10-year-old boy. A few years later, he went to space with his grandfather Jor-El (father of Clark Kent/Kal-El) and returned a man. Jon was away for only a few weeks in our Earth time, but he was actually away for years in space time so his aging was natural.
After his stint in space with his grandfather, he went to the future with the Legion of Super-Heroes, as Superboy. Jon Kent becomes Superman in his own series Superman: Son of Kal-El.
DC Comics very recently changed Superman’s motto from “Truth, justice, and the American way” to “Truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.”
In the first issue of Superman: Son of Kal-El, Robin (Damian Wayne) asked Jon, “What do you want that symbol to stand for?” Jon replied, “Truth. Justice. And a better world.”
Dan Jurgens, creator of Jon Kent, is still alive and did not say anything about DC’s decision to turn Jon Kent bisexual. I find that acceptable. (And, DC owns the copyright.)
Why bisexual? Why not outright gay? Possibly because Jon Kent has a history of a heterosexual romantic affair with Saturn Girl. I say “possibly” because I don’t know DC’s exact reason. Alan Scott had children but was still turned gay (and sexuality in reality is not set in stone).
As Superboy, Jon Kent kissed Saturn Girl in Legion of Super-Heroes #9 (Nov. 2020).
As Superman, Jon Kent will kiss Jay Nakamura in Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 which will come out on November 16, 2021.
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| variant cover of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 used under principle of fair use |
Batman: Urban Legends #6 came out in August 2021. In that issue, Tim Drake (the third character to be called Robin) turned out bisexual. Not many months away and two major characters have been outed as bisexual by DC Comics.
Some quarters have shipped (paired) Superman (Jon Kent) and Robin (Tim Drake) already. “Shipping” is now a common term in LGBT-related works. I, for one, expect DC to bring these two together in the future. Not in the immediate future I suppose. People clamored for Superman and Wonder Woman to be together for decades, but DC Comics only made that possible in 2012 (and ended the affair around the appearance of Jon Kent).
I’m not sure DC will still give importance to Jon Kent Superman in the future. Where are the other LGBT characters? Do they still find “work” in DC Comics? Bandwagoning is real.
Superman, whether the original or his son or any variant thereof, being bisexual is significant. Why? Because Superman is Superman.
Superman is arguably the most famous superhero and inarguably the originator of the superhero genre in comic books. The comic book, radio, television and film industries earned gazillion bucks because of his appearance in 1938. The man whose underwear is originally outside his pants started it all.
For us who have come a long way to accepting ourselves, for us who have established a life for decades, representation in fiction and literary works may not matter much. We may say, “Who cares? I know myself. I’ve been okay for years.” Or, we may no longer care because we have achieved that age when we just do not care anymore. But, for the newbies, for those who are just beginning to see themselves for what or who they are, representation in fiction, in superheroics, is important.
A young gay man ensconced in hate and homophobia may suddenly find the light of love and deliverance after reading a good novel like The Front Runner. A young lesbian may find herself reflected in Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.
A young person is a blank slate who can be affected by what they read, hear or see.
A young man who loves comic books and who is questioning himself for his uninvited natural leanings may find inspiration from characters like Jon Kent Superman.
Imagining oneself being loved and powerful is a real wishful thought we had as young ones. Superman may not be saving the world for real, just in comics, but in the minds of young gay and bisexual men what he represents is real. Wishing to be loved and accepted is real, and a nudge in the right direction can go a long way. DC Comics, whether the real reason is bandwagoning or not, is giving that little nudge.
I imagine Superman flying with his usual red and blue streak and the end of the streak bursting into a ray of hope for those looking up in the sky. For many of us LGBTs, that burst is a rainbow in the wide blue yonder. Isn’t the rainbow a covenant of a better tomorrow, a better world?
