Jonathan Kent, the new version of Superman, is bisexual. The traditionally straight superhero will embark on a same-sex relationship with a friend in a new comic book. Kent, who is the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, began his run in July.
DC Comics reveals that the latest Superman is bisexual in a new issue
“The idea of replacing Clark Kent with another straight white savior felt like a missed opportunity,” said Tom Taylor, the series’ writer, in an interview with the New York Times .
His new love interest is Jay Nakamura, a reporter who cares about him after he “exhausts himself mentally and physically from trying to save everyone he can” in an issue of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5, which will be published in November.
. It is also revealed that Nakamura has special powers.
Kent’s sexuality isn’t the only way the character has been updated for a new audience and time. Recent issues have seen him protest the deportation of refugees, stop a high school shooting and try to put out the wildfires that were the cause of the climate crisis.
“I’ve always said that everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes and I’m so grateful that DC and Warner Bros. share this idea,” Taylor said in a statement. “The symbol of Superman has always symbolized hope, truth and justice.
Today, that symbol stands for something more. Today, more people can see themselves in the most powerful superhero in comics.”
The news follows other recent attempts to add weirdness to the comic book world. In August it was announced that the latest version of Robin would have a boyfriend, while in March Marvel also made the decision to pass the mantle of Captain America to a gay character .
But the big screen worlds of Marvel and DC remain less progressive. Tessa Thompson’s character in Thor: Ragnarok only revealed herself as bisexual in a tweet, while Deadpool’s sexual fluidity has yet to be fully explored.
