'Everyone needs heroes': Superman will come out as bisexual in new DC Comics story



DC Comics, the home of Batman, Wonder Woman and other beloved superheroes, announced on Monday that one of its heroes is taking "a bold new direction" and coming out as bisexual.

DC Comics confirmed in a statement on Monday that Jon Kent, the "Superman of Earth," will "become romantically involved" with reporter Jay Nakamura in an upcoming issue of the series "Superman: Son of Kal-El."

But this Superman isn't the Clark Kent character you may already know. Jon Kent is the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, and he has picked up the Superman mantle in a new iteration of the longtime character.

"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," writer Tom Taylor said in the statement on Monday.

"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," he added.

DC confirmed that "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." The story will be published next month.

Superman isn't the only LGBTQ superhero for DC Comics. The character Tim Drake, who has been one of many Robins serving alongside Batman, has been seen accepting a date from another male character, according to multiple reports.

Jon Kent's same-sex relationship is also not the only departure from the original Superman's life, The New York Times noted. Jon Kent has protested refugees being deported from Metropolis, faced wildfires caused by climate change and more.

"The idea of replacing Clark Kent with another straight white savior felt like a missed opportunity," Taylor told the outlet. He said that a "new Superman had to have new fights - real world problems - that he could stand up to as one of the most powerful people in the world."

DC Comics confirmed that Jon Kent will be coming out on National Coming Out Day. This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the holiday, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

HRC reports that nearly 6-in-10 LGBTQ people are "bisexual+, a term used to refer to a slate of "non-monosexual" identities such as pansexual, fluid and more. It is the largest contingent of the LGBTQ community.