Jon Kent, Superman’s Son, Comes Out as Bisexual

Oddly well-timed with National Coming Out Day, Jon Kent comes out as bisexual in the latest issue of “Superman; Son of Kal-El #5.” The son of Lois Lane and Clark Kent (Superman) was announced as bisexual on Monday, October 11. According to Variety, this decision was the most high-profile decision for LGBTQ representation in comic books.

Earlier, in August, there was another issue in which Robin, whose secret identity is Tim Drake, comes out as bisexual. Other LGBTQ characters in comics include Batwoman (DC), Harley Quinn (DC), Alan Scott (DC), Iceman (Marvel), Miss America (Marvel), and one of the very first gay comic book characters from 1992, Northstar.

According to The Washington Post, not much has been revealed about the meat of the story; however, it will show Jon Kent befriend one pink-haired Jay Nakamura and eventually fall in love with him. This romance arises from Jon trying to get support to cope with the stress of “trying to save everyone he can.”

“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,” says Tom Taylor, author of the issue.

According to Logo, illustrator of the gorund-breaking issue John Timms says he is “incredibly honored to be working beside Tom on the series Superman: Son of Kal-El, showing Jon Kent tackling his complex modern life while also saving the world from its greatest threats, villains, and menaces.”

There is a lot riding on this issue for both the writer and the illustrator, it would seem. The strides being made here with representation appear to build upon the hard work for other previous LGBTQ comic book characters to be accepted, and it appears to have paid off, with excitement coming from all directions.

Image courtesy of social media