“Superman: Son of Kal-El” # 5. Photo via DC Comics.
DC Comics revealed Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day, that its current Superman Jon Kent will come out as bisexual next month in “Superman: Son of Kal-El” #5.
Jon Kent, son of the classic Superman Clark Kent and Lois Lane, assumed the mantle of Superman earlier this year. He currently leads the recently launched title each month.
“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 a press 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.”
According to DC, like his father before him, Kent will find love in the newsroom. He’ll strike up a friendship with reporter Jay Nakamura and become romantically involved.
“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,” DC shared.
“I’m incredibly honored to be working beside Tom on the ‘Superman: Son Of Kal-El’ series showing Jon Kent tackling his complex modern life, while also saving the world from its greatest threats, villains and menaces,” artist John Timms added in the release.
DC Chief Creative Officer and Publisher Jim Lee, a comics veteran, said that the company couldn’t be prouder to tell Kent’s story.
“We talk a lot about the power of the DC Multiverse in our storytelling and this is another incredible example,” Lee said. “We can have Jon Kent exploring his identity in the comics as well as Jon Kent learning the secrets of his family on TV on ‘Superman & Lois.’ They coexist in their own worlds and times, and our fans get to enjoy both simultaneously.”
On Twitter, Taylor added that “Today, Superman, the strongest superhero on the planet, comes out as bisexual.”
I’ve always said everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes. Today, #Superman, the strongest superhero on the planet, comes out as bisexual. I chatted to @georgegustines at the @nytimes about what's coming for Jon Kent.https://t.co/rcIYLXl7FB
— Tom Taylor (@TomTaylorMade) October 11, 2021
He also wished fans a Happy Coming Out Day:
Our #Superman comes out.
Happy #ComingOutDay🏳️🌈.@DCComics @thedcnation @johntimmsart https://t.co/sXD9wBW4A5 pic.twitter.com/vWkiQiuAGs— Tom Taylor (@TomTaylorMade) October 11, 2021
The news follows the coming out of Tim Drake, the third iteration of Batman’s longtime sidekick Robin, and is the latest in DC’s commitment to LGBTQ representation on the page and screen.
“Superman: Son of Kal-El” #5 will be available in comic stores and more Nov. 9. It features art by Timms, the main cover of which is seen above, and colors by Gabe Eltaeb, with lettering by Dave Sharpe.
