Spotlight on LBGT DC Characters

Starting in the late 1940s, comic writers were under scrutiny for hinting gay relationships in their comic books. Parents and critics gathered together to burn the books once those books were published.  However, as the years went by, new LGBT characters were added, and the preexisting ones were modified with different pasts. Some of these characters, such as Catwoman, Midnighter, and Constantine, have a solo series and appear in many comics. Many of these DC characters listed in this article add to the needed diversity in the DC universe. This article may contain spoilers.

Batwoman (Kate Kane)

Ironically, Kate Kane, a Jewish lesbian, was created by the DC writers as Batman’s lover to disprove the rumors of a relationship between Batman and Robin. However, her story was changed in the comics and has been involved with former Detective Renee Montoya and Captain Maggie Sawyer.  After being discharged by the United States Military Academy for being in a lesbian relationship, she becomes a vigilante by fighting villains, protecting Gotham, and getting justice alongside Batman and his team.

Kate Kane has her own series, which started in 2011, and is named the highest-profile gay superhero from a mainstream publisher.

Midnighter

Midnighter, who’s real name is unknown, was created by WildStorm, a branch of DC. He has bioengineered enhancements and is a member of a rogue superhero team. Midnighter, and Apollo, who are ex-husbands, are the gay analogues of Batman and Superman, respectively. Midnighter has a 2000s and current 2010s solo series.

Catwoman (Selina Kyle)

Selina Kyle, an independent antiheroine, has been appearing in comics since the 1940s. She has a complicated romantic relationship with Batman, but still teams up with him if needed, due to her obligation to protect her childhood neighborhood, East End and her morals. She is considered the world’s greatest thief and loves to steal for the thrill. Kyle temporarily left the title of Catwoman to Eiko Hagisawa, an heiress to the Hagisawa family branch. In a comic, the two Catwomen are shown kissing and the writer tweeted a confirmation, proving fans that Selina Kyle is bisexual.  She has had her own series since 2002.

John Constantine

John Constantine, an exorcist, demonologist, and a master of the Dark Arts, has been in an on-again, off-again relationship with Zatanna Zatara, a hero with magic powers, but also has been in relationships with guys, too. He is comfortable with his bisexuality, as shown here. Although this has not been shown in his television show, his flirting and conversations have strongly hinted it. He has had his own series since 2013 and was the lead character in the comic Hellblazer.

Alysia Yeoh

Alysia Yeoh is the first individual without powers to come out as transgender and threw the first transgender wedding, both achievements made in mainstream comic history. She was Batgirl’s ex-roomate, and became a vigilante.

Now, comics have come a long way by adding LGBT characters and by making them canon, such as Wonder Woman. These representations’s positive feedback and reactions should motivate DC to create more diverse characters. Hopefully, there will be more characters that will add to the diversity in DC and other comic books.