In a win for the LGBTQ+ community — it's finally been announced that the new Superman will be bisexual!
In the next issue of the Superman: Son of Kal-El series - which will be released in November - DC Comics will show Jon Kent in a romantic relationship with his friend, Jay Nakamura. The series follows Jon as he takes on the role of Superman from his father, Clark Kent.
Fittingly, DC Comics shared the exciting news on Monday, October 11, which was National Coming Out Day.
To honor the occasion, we took a look at some of the most iconic LGBTQ+ superheroes in Marvel and DC history...
1. Star-Lord — Marvel
Back in 2020, Marvel finally confirmed that Peter Quill, or Star-Lord, from Guardians of the Galaxy, is bisexual.
The highly popular character, who is portrayed by Chris Pratt, made his debut in the 2014 film. After seemingly being killed in Guardians of the Galaxy (2020) #2, he spends 144 years traveling through the Twelve Houses of Morinus, and then enters into a polyamorous relationship with humanoids, Aradia and Mors.
2. Loki — Marvel
After Loki premiered on Disney + earlier this year, the show's director, Kate Herron, confirmed the character's sexuality on Twitter.
"From the moment I joined @LokiOfficial it was very important to me, and my goal, to acknowledge Loki was bisexual. It is a part of who he is and who I am too. I know this is a small step but I’m happy, and heart is so full," she wrote.
In the third episode, Loki, who is played by Tom Hiddleston, has a conversation with Sylvie about his romantic life. "What about you? You're a prince. Must have been would-be princesses. Or perhaps another prince?" she says, to which Loki responds: "A bit of both."
3. Valkyrie — Marvel
Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie was announced as Marvel's first openly queer superhero.
Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Studios, recently confirmed that Valkyrie will have an LGBTQ+ relationship in the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder — the fourth MCU film centered around Chris Hemsworth's Thor.
Speaking to io9 about the character having an explicitly queer storyline, Feige asserted: "The answer is yes. How that impacts the story remains to be seen with that level of representation you’ll see across our films, not in just Thor 4."
4. Northstar
Northstar first appeared in the X-Men comic books in 1979 as a member of the Canadian superhero team, Alpha Flight.
He is one of the first openly gay superheroes in Marvel's American comic books, after coming out in 1992. Then, in 2012, the ski champion - who has the ability to fly - married his partner Kyle Jinadu, which marked the first same-sex wedding in mainstream comic history.
5. Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is another bisexual superhero. Back in 2016, during her 75th birthday celebrations, writer Greg Rucka confirmed in an interview with Comicosity that she was queer.
"You’re supposed to be able — in a context where one can live happily, and part of what an individual needs for that happiness is to have a partner — to have a fulfilling, romantic, and sexual relationship. And the only options are women," he explained. "But an Amazon doesn’t look at another Amazon and say, 'You’re gay.' They don’t. The concept doesn’t exist. Now, are we saying Diana has been in love and had relationships with other women? As Nicola and I approach it, the answer is obviously yes."
6. Midnighter
Midnighter is a comic book superhero of the rogue team The Authority. He first appeared in Stormwatch vol.2 #4, and is often seen as a parallel character to Batman.
Unlike Gotham's main hero, however, Midnighter is openly gay and married to fellow Authority member, Apollo. They have an adopted daughter, Jenny Quantum — and what a win for representation!
7. Deadpool
Deadpool, who is portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, is often held up as one of Marvel's only pansexual characters.
In 2013, writer Gerry Duggan confirmed that the comic book version of Deadpool was "not straight" and that he would "...do anything with a pulse."
Then, after the 2016 film was released, director Tim Miller spoke candidly about the character's sexuality: "There is some sexuality in this movie for sure. You kinda think you have moments when you’re shooting where you think, 'This is, uh, a little excessive. This is a comic book movie. Are we gonna get away with this?"
8. America Chavez
America Chavez is one of the most diverse superheroes in Marvel comic history. The queer Latina, who also has lesbian parents, entered the universe in 2011, and later earned a comic of her own, titled America.
Writer Gabby Rivera described America as "a foxy, badass, hard femme Latina who dates women and punches into other dimensions."
9. Batwoman
Ruby Rose, who is openly gay, made history after starring in the CW's Batwoman series — this made her the first LGBTQ+ superhero to front a network television show.
Rose plays Batwoman/Kate Kane — who identifies as a lesbian — and is committed to saving Gotham after the disappearance of her cousin, Bruce Wayne aka Batman.
10. Green Lantern
After months of speculation, in May of 2021, HBO Max announced that Jeremy Irvine will be playing Alan Scott — the original Green Lantern of Earth, who came out in the DC Comics.
The upcoming series will see Scott in the year 1941, playing a closeted gay FBI agent, per EW. Excitingly, this is the first time that the character will appear on screen in a manner that features his sexuality.