Superheroes need love, just like the rest of us. And just like the rest of us, they should be allowed to experience that love however way they please. In an exciting move, DC has shared that Jon Kent, the Superman of Earth and the son of Lois Lane and Clark Kent, is bisexual.
DC
The move towards more representation in comics and other media is a welcome one. Determining one’s identity is a realization worthy of a celebration. And we’re glad to see that’s precisely the direction DC is heading.
On November 9, Jon Kent will explore his sexuality in Superman: Son of Kal-El #5. A statement shares:
Just like his father before him, Jon Kent has fallen for a reporter. After initially striking up a friendship with reporter Jay Nakamura, he and Jon become romantically involved in the pages of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 from writer Tom Taylor (Dark Knights of Steel) and artist John Timms (Harley Quinn). Following a scene where Superman mentally and physically burns out from trying to save everyone that he can, Jay is there to care for the Man of Steel.
Could that be any sweeter? We can’t imagine the burnout that comes with saving the world. But we can imagine it’s much easier to deal with when one has support and love. We’re also enjoying the parallels of Superman once again having a weakness for a reporter. But most of all, it’s fantastic to see a well-conceived depiction of bisexuality. Friends to lovers is exactly the right move here. Queer orientations, and especially bisexuality, have long been hypersexualized and portrayed as negatively promiscuous. So we love seeing the friendship aspect highlighted. Especially because deep friendship is an essential aspect of many queer relationships.
Writer Tom Taylor shares more about the importance of this decision, offering:
I’ve always said everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes and I’m very grateful DC and Warner Bros. share this idea. Superman’s symbol has always stood for hope, for truth, and for justice. Today, that symbol represents something more. Today, more people can see themselves in the most powerful superhero in comics.
DC
Additionally, artist John Timms adds:
I’m incredibly honored to be working beside Tom on the Superman: Son of Kal-El series showing Jon Kent tackling his complex modern life, while also saving the world from its greatest threats, villains, and menaces.
Finally, DC Chief Creative Officer and Publisher Jim Lee chimed in as well, concluding:
We couldn’t be prouder to tell this important story from Tom Taylor and John Timms. We talk a lot about the power of the DC Multiverse in our storytelling and this is another incredible example. We can have Jon Kent exploring his identity in the comics as well as Jon Kent learning the secrets of his family on TV on Superman & Lois. They coexist in their own worlds and times, and our fans get to enjoy both simultaneously.
We can’t wait to read the full story on November 9. We wish the happy couple only the best.