DC Comics has announced that a major character of their
superhero roster previously assumed to be straight will be revealed to be gay.
If you follow the comics industry this is not potentially Earth-destroying news
necessitating a preventive superhero team-up, as the past few decades have seen
a shift in direction for more diverse, identifiable characterizations. After
all, comics tend to reflect and comment on current issues, culture and society
in general; in fact, Marvel Comics has been doing it since the 1960s,
introducing, as example, both the X-Men and The Avengers. However, it is
relatively new territory for DC, the most recent character Kate Kane, a.k.a. Batwoman,
revealed to be a lesbian when re-introduced to the DC Universe in 2006.
There is quite a bit of speculation circulating,
particularly concerning the iconic five of the DCU:
Batman
Why Batman? Why not? A womanizing playboy by day who cloaks
himself in secrecy, and who has never had, with few exceptions, a solid
heterosexual relationship. Does he hide some deep secret under the cowl other
than his identity? A lot of people are pointing to his apparent peculiarities
concerning his various young sidekicks as evidence. Except, it doesn’t point to
Bruce Wayne being gay; it points more to him being a pedophile…which would
never sit well with the protective Batman. Besides, as previously mentioned,
there already is a gay character – Batwoman – in the Batman family. Plus, in
several previous incarnations, Bruce Wayne did have relationships, albeit short-lived,
with Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman, and Talia al Ghul, which respectively produced
a daughter, Helena Wayne, who became Huntress, and a son, Damian Wayne, who
became Robin. Agreed, that means nothing concerning sexual orientation. Even in
the new continuity, would DC limit themselves in future storylines involving
relationships between Bruce Wayne and female protagonists? What would be the
point to any flirtatious offerings, other than as a knowing wink to the reader
as if to say, “we know you know this isn’t going anywhere.” Of course, if it
were to lead to something, than by all measures it at least would make Bruce
Wayne bisexual – and a cop out for DC, weakening the whole point.
Green Lantern (Hal Jordan or Guy Gardner)
An all-American, womanizing test pilot with commitment
issues? Hellooo…obviously hiding from a deeper issue. A superhero that knows
about accessorizing with costume jewelry and frequently teams-up with the
spandex body-suited Flash? Who constantly argues with the first superhero on
this list? Jealously will drive you mad, especially if Batman would rather
partner with a woman and an alien. Excepting, of course, that Hal Jordan really
does love his long-time sweetheart Carol Ferris; he just constantly feels
unworthy of her love because of his fear of failing her. On the flipside, Guy
Gardner is a stereotypical red-blooded, ultra macho American male who has a
chip on his shoulder, constantly trying to prove his worth to other male
superheroes…not to mention gain the approval of his abusive father as a teen.
Perhaps for good reason?
Wonder Woman
As twice mentioned, there already is a lesbian among the DC
roster. How original would it be to take THE iconic strong woman and make her a
lesbian? Not at all, as if you needed an answer to the question. Sure, she was
born and raised in a tribe of Amazons. Yes, she is an exemplar of the liberated
woman, empowered by love and a superiority complex. At times, she has had anger
issues directed at men and a world ruled by them. Yet, in previous incarnations,
she has romantic affections for Steve Trevor…another limit to future storylines
and the potential of having to recon bisexuality into her canon. Another cop
out.
Superman
A guy literally from another planet who is also gay? A
superhuman guy who becomes a super weakling when faced with green kryptonite?
Talk about alienating (pun intended) your apparently targeted readership: homosexuality is fine…as long as you’re from another planet, and can stand up for yourself.
Not to mention that even non-comic fans know of the love affair that is Clark Kent and Lois
Lane.
Flash (Barry Allen or Wally West)
Of the iconic five, this is the least likely candidate. There
are far too many characters connected by a heterosexual Barry Allen: his children, with Iris West, Don and Dawn
Allen, known as the Tornado Twins, and his grandson, Bart Allen, who eventually
takes up the mantle of The Flash. Again, sexual orientation doesn’t dictate the
propagation of offspring, but a gay Barry Allen enormously limits the storyline
and canon. On the flipside, Wally West had a strained relationship with his
parents, often turning to his aunt and uncle, Barry and Iris Allen, for support
and guidance. Sound like a familiar story of a teen conflicted about his sexual
orientation? Unfortunately, what is true for Barry is also true for Wally –
even in a new continuity, a gay Wally West severely limits the storyline and
canon in connection to related characters.
So, who will it be? Will it be any of these five? And does
it matter? Humans are an evolution, and our attitudes must as well evolve.
Comics have always been a rich source trumpeting and revealing that nature.
©2012 Steve Sagarra
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