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BothMarvel ComicsandDC Comicshave had truly historically unprecedented years forLGBTQIA+representation in their comics , with multiple storylines from both publishers roll around a various group of queer heroes . The comic strip industriousness has been putting a lot of time and energy into radiate their portfolio of artist , writers , andcharacters to be more representative of the vast array of different gender and sexualities that live ; the two top strip publishers are no dissimilar .
The year 2021 saw the continued issue of many queer and LGBTQIA+ stories from independent funnies newspaper publisher , which is every bit as important as mainstream internal representation , but there is something particularly special and impactful about see long running characters such as Tim Drake or Mystique be able to lean into their often - hide queer identities . While critics of the increasedLGBTQIA+ representation in comics — have indicate fornewcharacters to make chronicle , not survive I , both Marvel and DC made history by having long - running , established characters research and embrace their divers identities .
Related : DC Officially Reveals The Heroes of ' Justice League Queer '
Violence against LGBTQIA+ people , especiallyqueer youthandtrans women of color , is still exceedingly prevalent in the United States and globally . Genuine histrionics of these identities in a medium as popular as comic Scripture can have a real , touchable impingement on the live experiences of these marginalise residential district . By pushing back against the heteronormative narrative that ' all strip reference are inherently unbent unless explicitly express , ' DC and Marvel have continued their work of making honest portrayals of queer character .
Superman Jonathan Kent Comes Out as Bisexual
2021 was an heroic twelvemonth for LGBTQIA+ internal representation in DC Comics , with the introduction ofan intact superteam ’s worth of fairy DC heroesand the aroused coming out of several recollective - running quality . A highlighting of DC ’s 2021 lineup wasDC Pride # 1which sharpen on stories about Batwoman , Dreamer , Extraño , Midnighter , Renee Montoya , Alan Scott , Jess Chambers , Andy Curry , Justice League Queer , and others .
With such a vast amount of representation this year , several moments deserve specific mentions . But inSuperman : Son of Kal - El#5the headlines get that many thought would never , could never be regard : Jon Kent , Earth ’s new Superman came out as bisexualto his sept and began to date his friend , andDaily Planetreporter , Jay Nakamura . This was one of the biggest comics news outcome of the entire year , and Jon and Jay ’s kinship continues to be a highlight of the series .
Tim Drake Confirms He is Bisexual
Similarly to Jon Kent , another long - run DC youth ( and Teen Titan ) was able to squeeze his indistinguishability as an adult , whenthe third Robin Tim Drake came out as bisexual person . This news , like Jonathan ’s , also came asTim Drake reconnected with Bernard , a friend from school , and quickly make that his feelings go deep than friendship – leading to Bernard asking Tim out inBatman : Urban Legends # 6 , before officially becoming a couple in number # 10 ( where fans also watch a heartwarming and supportive chemical reaction from Batman to Robin ’s come out ) .
Bia, The First Transgender Amazon
TheInfinite Frontierera of Wonder Woman cartoon strip has been spectacularly rummy , and even Diana Prince herself has been in a relationship with a woman in the page of the alternate reality worldDark Knights of Steelin 2021 . One new eccentric addition truly stands out though , with the introduction of thefirst transgender Amazon in the new seriesNubia & The Amazons , by Stephanie Williams and Vita Ayala . Bia , a new character , went through the " Well of Souls " in the first effect , being " born-again " after being killed by the " World of Man , " and her conversion and designation was clearly an emotional moment for her . Stephanie Williams , the author of the serial publication , corroborate on Twitter the subtextual reading of Bia as a Black trans fair sex . Williams see to it readers that her identity would be authentically and honestly explore , not fetishized .
Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn’s Love Takes The Spotlight
Can there really be a tilt of historic DC LGBTQIA+ moments without mentioningtheHarley Quinn and Dr. Pamela Isley ? These two budgerigar were queer - coded for years , with buff assuming they were romantically involved before DC took the extra footmark ofhaving Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy get marriedin the non - canonicalInjusticeuniverse . This yr has seen the super successful comical twist off of the hitHarley Quinnanimated serial publication , Harley Quinn : The Animated Series : The Eat . Bang ! Kill Tourwhich hasexplored the Harley / Ivy romanceeven more . In chief DC continuity , Harley just recently salve Ivy from complete destruction in the pages ofBatman # 17 .
Related : Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy ’s Love last Gets the Respect it Deserves
Mystique & Destiny Reunited
Marvel Comics also had a point of view out class for LGBTQIA+ representation with more than 40 on a regular basis used queer character throughout their series . likewise to DC , Marvel put out a Pride Month theme one - shotMarvel Voices : Pride # 1which compiled stories of several diverse poove characters , push past common stories of White jolly men to include LGBTQIA+ multitude of coloring material and trans kinfolk , while also contain queer stories into unconstipated series to avoid the tokenization ofjustpublishing a one - guess event .
In Marvel Comics continuity , the mutants Mystique and Destiny have been a couple forliterally more than a century , but their romantic relationship was not made canyon until 2019 . twelvemonth ago , the author Chris Claremont endeavor to make the two villains enter into a formal relationship but , at the meter , Marvel forbade it . In 2021 the loving relationship between the two was at the center of theX - Men ’s biggest eventInferno , and their love for each other is usher to be bass , powerful , and beautiful .
Black Cat & Odessa Drake’s Kiss
Felicia Hardy , Marvel ’s superhuman stealer the Black Cat , has had a tedious but steady coming out process in comic strip , referencing past kinship with charwoman over the years and last being confirmed as canonically bisexual in 2020 . But in 2021Black Cat ’s first on - panel same - gender kisscame with with Odessa Drake , the loss leader of NYC ’s Thieves Guild , who she is in direct rival with . This kiss find inBlack Cat # 7 , by Jed Mackay and Michael Dowling , and is now an formally canyon part of the Black Cat ’s retentive and complicated romantic chronicle , adding yet another sturdy , strong epicene woman to Marvel ’s roster of reference .
Prodigy & Speed Are Still Going Strong
Prodigy and Speed are two of the Young Avengers and have been shown to be a casual dyad for several year now . Speed is the crony of Wiccan , one of Marvel ’s most famous homophile hero , but the dear tale between Speed and Prodigy shown inMarvel Voices : Pride # 1is nothing like his blood brother ’s cosmic Romance language with Hulkling . The two young champion are shown enjoying a nice pizza date during Pride Month . While this might seem silly or not impactful , it ’s fantastically hefty to see two queer work force in a loving , open family relationship , complimentary from any world - ending or cosmic drama .
relate : Marvel Celebrates LGBTQI+ Heroes In Pride Special First Look
The Resurrection of Somnus
One of the best newly - debuted characters in Marvel Comics isa young , merry mutant make Somnus . Somnus ' story , told inMarvel Voices : Pride # 1and continued in the approaching relaunch ofMarauders , is a knock-down one . Somnus has the ability to get in masses ’s dreaming , but he never father to live out his own dream . Living in a time when being an out gay man was not allowed , Somnus grew old and give-up the ghost before ever getting the chance to live life as himself . Daken , who also identifies as queer , had meet Somnus earlier in lifespan and remembered his account . He happen a way to resurrect Somnus into a younger organic structure through Krakoa ’s Resurrection Protocols , and gave him a second chance at exist life as his dead on target ego — a life that so many LGBTQIA+ people are refuse .
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Therepresentation of LGBTQIA+ citizenry in mainstream mediais becoming more and more take over globally , but it is still rarefied enough that it is significant to recognize the historical nature of queer the great unwashed being seen publicly . While bothDCandMarvelstill have work to do to increase the representation of marginalized community in their characters and in their national staff , it is clear from the account told in 2021 that both publishers are dedicate to telling diverseLGBTQIA+stories and increasing the visibleness of these mathematical group .
More : DC ’s Transgender Amazons Reflect Wonder Woman ’s Greatest Legacy
seed : Trevor Project , HRC
