Summary
Superheroes have come to dominate pop culture for the past several decades, thanks in large part to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With larger-than-life characters and fantastical adventures, it’s not hard to see why we’ve become obsessed withthese caped crusadersand costumed vigilantes.
With superheroes being so present in modern media, there’s no denying that representation matters. Everyone wants to seesomeone like them saving the day, so with that in mind we wanted to present you with superheroes you didn’t know were LGBTQ+. Some of the biggest names in comics today are queer, proving that progress is being made and you no longer have to dig through the discount bin of comic stores to find representation.
8America Chavez
Both In Print And Film
You probably know America Chavez from her MCU appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness but this portal hopping firecracker has been a Marvel Comics mainstay for over ten years now, first introduced in 2011. Although she was originally shown to be in a relationship with a man, the character has since said she was just experimenting and identifies as a lesbian.
Operating under the moniker Ms. America, she’s been a core part of team-ups between younger superheroes for years now, providing positive representation for queer women of colour. The MCU version is no different, wearing a pride pin on her jacket that is almost always in shot.
7Green Lantern
The Original
Alan Scott was the first person to hold the Green Lantern moniker in DC Comics, although he was never part of the star spanning Green Lantern Corps we know today. Created all the way back in 1940 Alan Scott wasn’t an openly gay character until he came out to his children in 2021.
The revelation that Alan Scott was homosexual didn’t sit well with some fans, but the notion of a seemingly traditional family man embracing his true sexuality in his elder years is far from a foreign one to the LGBTQ+ community. Alan Scott is proof that every queer story matters and that hopefully there will be a time when everyone can live in their Brightest Day.
6Shadowcat
Kitty Pryde Indeed
The appropriately named Kitty Pryde was always intended to be a queer character, and the original intention was for her to end up with Rachel Summers. Unfortunately one of the problems with comics is that writers often rotate in and out of projects, meaning a new creative hand takes control of characters. We never got Kitty and Rachel, instead we saw Kitty and Colossus become a thing.
Kitty’s interest in women was always present, being hinted at with characters beyond Rachel like Ilyana Rasputin. She was shown to be canonically bisexual to the shock of absolutely no one who knew anything about her character, but it’s still a little known fact outside of comic enthusiasts.
5Robin
Tim Drake
If you’re not entirely brushed up on your Batman lore, you might not even know that there have been enough people going by the Robin moniker to form a boy band. The original was Dick Grayson, but there have been several since. Tim Drake was one such Boy Wonder, gifted with a mind for detective work more keen than even Batman’s.
Initially depicted as straight, Tim began to explore his sexuality after reconnecting with an old school friend, Bernard. This helped him come to understand that he was bisexual, adding some much needed diversity to the flock of almost identical Robin’s.
4Hercules
Not Just A Womanizer
Marvel’s version of Hercules is always fun to see on the page. He’s larger than life, a hedonist who lives only for heroic deeds and grand celebrations. He’s become known as an oaf and a womanizer, being a shameful hook up for She-Hulk and having no sense of self awareness.
Hercules is an equal opportunities pleasure seeker though, and is canonically bisexual. Although he’s shown pursuing men far less often than women it does still happen, possibly most notably with Marvel Boy in Guardians of the Galaxy. Characters like Hercules who exude typical masculinity are especially exciting to be shown as part of the LGBTQ+ community, breaking down the stereotype that queer characters were often in supporting roles.
3Iceman
“I’m Exactly Who I Want To Be.”
Some vocal fans had a serious problem with Bobby Drake, Iceman of X-Men fame, came out as gay. They said it ran counter to his character, but the signs were always there. Bobby was something of the playboy of the X-Men, but this was an overcompensation for his true sexuality. He was often reluctant to drop his ice form, to be truly seen, and was uneasy about the potential of his powers. Bobby was always a character hiding from who he was and the person he could become if he was brave enough.
Iceman living as an openly gay man hasn’t been easy for him, struggling initially to come out to his team mates and parents. But for so many people, his coming out was a sign of real change in comics. Here was one of the most beloved X-Men, openly gay and exploring the struggles that came with that. It was inspiring, and Bobby remains a favourite among the LGBTQ+ community.
2Wonder Woman
A Fascinating History
The man who invented Wonder Woman, William Moulton Marston, is a fascinating figure. He based Wonder Woman on his wife, Elizabeth Marston, and their polyamorous life partner, Olive Byrne. Wonder Woman was created deliberately and specifically to be a feminist icon, something she has successfully stood as since her first appearance in All Star Comics #8 in 1941.
Wonder Woman is canonically bisexual, something that has been made both implicit and explicit in the comics and by various writers. Diana Prince has always been a progressive character, a champion at the forefront of social issues, and it’s inspiring to know that one of the most enduring characters in comics is bi.
As well as inventing Wonder Woman, William Moulton Marston is also credited as inventing an early prototype for the polygraph test, also known as the lie detector. This may have been the inspiration for Wonder Woman’s famous Lasso of Truth.
1Superman
It Means Hope
This one might have you wondering if this is real, but it is. Jonathan Kent, Superman, is the son of Lois Lane and Clark Kent. He isn’t Superboy, or Superlad, he’s the genuine Superman and he’s openly bisexual. For many, the idea of an out and proud queer Superman would have seemed like an impossible dream only a few short years ago.
Jonathan is in a committed relationship with his boyfriend, Jay Nakamura, with the full approval of both Clark and Lois. The greatest superhero in history, the first person most people think of when the word superhero comes up, is a champion for everyone. While his father stood for truth, justice and the American way, Jonathan lives up to the Kryptonian symbol that Superman wears emblazoned on his chest. He stands for hope.
