The writer and artist of Superman: Son of Kal-El had to get police protection when it was announced that ”Superboy” would come out as bisexual, but the controversial issue is really their choice of his boyfriend rather than his sexuality.
It created quite the media stir when DC Comics announced that Superman’s
son, Jon Kent would come out as bisexual in Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 which
has now been published. ”Superboy” takes over as Superman when Superman has to
leave Earth for a while, but not until Superboy has brought his friend,
journalist Jay Nakamura home to meet his family over a dinner that stretches
from Superman: Son of Kal-El # 3 to #4.
When the new Superman becomes exhausted following an overload of his
superpowers in Superman: Son of Kal-El #5, he is cared for by Jay who has a
superpower himself – intangibility like Kitty Pryde, Shadowcat of Marvel’s
X-Men. Jay – whose name starts with a ”J” like Jon’s, of course – points out
that because of his super ability, Superman’s powers can’t affect him, and then
Superman gives him a kiss that leaves both of them affected before Superman takes
his leave to continue his battle for truth and justice.
It is not stated in the story that Superman is bisexual, but that’s what it said in the official statement from DC Comics and many people misunderstood the news and thought that they were talking about the original Superman, Cark Kent, but he still loves the new Superman’s mother Lois Lane in monogamous marriage. It is their son, Jon Kent, who is now Superman and exploring his sexuality. But the news still led to writer Tom Taylor and artist John Timms needing police protection and the police also had to be present at the address of DC Comics until the news and the worst wave of homophobia had subsided.
Superman’s controversial boyfriend
In a Danish Facebook group for comic book fans, the criticism wasn’t so
much about Superman being bi than his choice of boyfriend who is more of a type
than a beauty like Superman himself – namely the Asian Jay with pink pot hair
who is a journalist like Lois Lane, of course. Couldn’t Superman have hooked up
with a more masculine guy?
But Superman isn’t gay. He’s bisexual and is also turned on by the feminine and
when reading the comic book, one still thinks it’s cool when Jon and Jay kiss
in Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 – a kiss that has also been criticized for being
without passion by the Danish comic book fans, though.
Batman’s young protégé Tim Drake, who has occasionally been his sidekick
Robin, also came out as bisexual in Batman: Urban Legends #6 earlier in 2021 and
when one considers all the homosexual fan linking there have been between Superman
and Batman throughout the years, it might have been more brave of DC Comics if
their younger counterparts, Superboy og Robin actually got together. But
one can always dream of future possibilities. Meanwhile, Superman: Son of Kal-El with Jon and Jay is
definitely worth checking out.
