Though big comic book movie franchises have been taking baby steps when it comes to representation, the traditional comics have been making huge leaps forward. Just in, IGN has revealed that Superman’s son, Jon Kent, will be coming out as bisexual in the upcoming issue of Superman: Son of Kal-El.
Writer Tom Taylor shares on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TomTaylorMade/status/1447565280423469058
In the issue, Jon enters a relationship with ‘hacktivist’ and Lois Lane fan Jay Nakamura. Taylor tells IGN about the issue:
“Over the years in this industry, it probably won’t surprise you to hear I’ve had queer characters and storylines rejected. I felt like I was letting down people I loved every time this happened… But we are in a very different and much more welcome place today than we were ten, or even five years ago. When I was asked if I wanted to write a new Superman with a new #1 for the DC Universe, I knew replacing Clark with another straight white savior could be a real opportunity missed. I’ve always said everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes. Today, Superman, the strongest superhero on the planet, is coming out.”
If anything, Taylor had the right idea trying to shake up the characterization of Superman by giving the bisexual identity a new iteration of the character rather than the famously straight Clark Kent. I can already imagine online backlash with making Superman bi, but it would probably come out as tone-deaf if they up and did that to Clark.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 comes out (pun intended) on Nov. 9.
