DC Comics announced Monday, on National Coming Out Day, that the new Superman is bisexual and will start a relationship with a man in the forthcoming issue of “Superman: Son of Kal-El,” as first reported by IGN.
This news is not for the traditional iteration of Clark Kent, but instead his 17-year-old son, Jon, who has taken up his father’s mantle.
Just like his father, Jon Kent has fallen for a reporter.
“I’ve always said everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes,” Tom Taylor, who writes the series, said in a release.
“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.”
That modern life — one where Jon has entered into a relationship with young “hacktivist” reporter Jay Nakamura in “Superman: Son of Kal-El” — will also be addressing the world’s societal problems along with intergalactic threats, according to writer Tom Taylor.
“The question for Jon (and for our creative team) is, what should a new Superman fight for today? Can a 17-year-old Superman battle giant robots while ignoring the climate crisis? Of course not. Can someone with super sight and super hearing ignore injustices beyond his borders? Can he ignore the plight of asylum seekers?”
Young, bisexual, and socially conscious. Those are the hallmarks of the newest Superman.
That desire to do good for the Earth’s everyday needs is a trait not from Clark Kent, but instead one from Jon’s mother, the Daily Planet’s Lois Lane, Taylor said.
“Jon is the son of the fiercest, most effective journalist on the planet. With that, comes a strong sense of right and wrong, an instinctive dislike of corruption and a strong desire for the truth to win over misinformation.”
For Taylor, who said many of his previous LGBTQ storylines were rejected, moving forward with the progressive adaptation of Superman was a major turning point for the comic.
“I knew replacing Clark with another straight white saviour 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.”
