The world of comics is just as vast as the world humankind occupies and is filled with just as many different types of individuals of various shapes, sizes, races, and identities. With the recent growth of acceptance in the world of people with unique backgrounds, it is important that all kinds of people have representation that acknowledges their stories.
DC has introduced a number of LGBTQ characters over the years, expanding their inclusivity naturally and putting great care into how they are handled and portrayed. The LGBTQ characters are pillars of the DC universe and have long histories of saving the day and causing a bit of chaos. There are some true fan favorites on the DC roster that have been at the forefront for decades. Here are some of the best LGBTQ characters in DC Comics.
10Brainiac 5
The Brains Of The Legion Of Superheroes
Brainiac 5 is the thirtieth-century version of the Brain Interactive Construct and the offspring of the genetic clone of the original Brainiac originating from Superman’s home planet, Krypton. Brainiac 5 was created by Jim Mooney and Jerry Siegel and made their first appearance as a member of the Legion of Superheroes in Action Comics #276, where Bouncing Boy and Phantom Girl also made an appearance.
Brainiac 5 serves as the central tactician of the Legion of Superheroes and is an indispensable member valued by their teammates. Brainiac is portrayed as a nonconforming individual whose attraction goes deeper than surface value. He has shown emotional interest in both male and female characters, such as Lyle Norg, the invisible Kid, and even had an ongoing relationship with Supergirl.
9Jackson Hyde
Multiple Worlds In One
Jackson Hyde,also known as Aqualad,is the son of Black Manta and Lucia; he is half Atlantean and has served as a pivotal character in the DC universe for quite some time. Jackson Hyde was created by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. While there had been previous versions of the Aqualad character, Jackson was revamped for the DC Rebirth line of comics, making his first appearance inDCU Rebirth #1.
Jackson’s sexuality was a core part of his character as his story explored the struggles he went through after coming out to his mother and entering into his first relationship with a young boy named Kenny. Jackson is a current member of the Teen Titans and a trusted ally to Aquaman and Mera of Atlantis.
8Wonder Woman
Amazon Of justice
Wonder Woman has been one of the world’s most well-known comic book characters for nearly seventy-five years. She is a member of the trinity of DC Comics alongside Superman and Batman, where she is a powerhouse of a character and one of the founding members of the Justice League. Wonder Woman was created by Willaim Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter; she made her debut inDC Comics’s All-Star Comics #8when she kicked off her run of subverting what superheroes are “supposed” to be.
Wonder Woman is an Amazon, daughter of Zeus and the Queen of the Amazons. In addition to living most of her life on an island with only women, an immortal being that has had exceptionally experienced life, it was confirmed that Diana has always had an attraction to female and male characters.
7John Constantine
The Devilish Saint
John Constantine is one of the most polarizing characters in the DC universe who has a checkered past, consorting with demons, angels, and evil spirits on many separate occasions. As the only man to get the best of both heaven and hell,John Constantineacts as a buffer between the two, maintaining that the conflict of eternity never spills over into the mortal realm.
Constantine was created by Alan Moore, John Totleben, and Steve Bissette, first appearing in DC sampler #3. John’s sexuality has never been as subtle as some of the other characters on the list, as his rapskalian nature has led to him bedding numerous characters of many different genders in the DC universe, including the supervillain King Shark.
6Katherine Kane
Daughter Of Kane
Cassandra Cain is perhaps one of the most well-known LGBTQ characters in DC comics and one of the few in the Bat-family faction who’s switched between being an ally of Batman and an adversary. Kate Kane grew up as the daughter of an elite soldier named Jacob Kane, whom he modeled herself after, even enlisting in the military.
Unfortunately, Kate was her worst enemy after a life of tragedy that was changed during a chance encounter with Batman, leading her into Vigilanteism’s life. Kate Kane is credited to several of the best writers and artists of DC Comics, such as Geoff Johns, Greg Rukka, Grant Morrison, Alex Ross, Keith Giffen, Edmond Hamilton, and Sheldon Moldof. Kate’s identity and sexual preference were explored early on in her story as she was in a serious relationship with Renee Montoya, the Question and former GCPD Detective.
5Tim Drake
The Young Detective
Tim Drake is a character that needs no introduction as one of the fan-favorite members of the bat family. Drake debuted inBatman #436,where he was introduced as an inquisitive young man. Tim Drake rose tothe only Robin to earn the roleby being smart enough to figure out Bruce Wayne is Batman. From the moment Time Drake put on the mask and cape, there was no question he was meant for the costume as he took to crime fighting like a veteran, made apparent by his creators Marv Wolfman, Pat Broderick, and Jim Aparo.
Tim Drake continued to rise through the ranks as a leader of the Teen Titans and one of the most likely to take up the mantle should he need to be replaced. Tim Drakes' identity was explored deeply during the DC Rebirth, where it was confirmed that he was Bisexual, dating both Stephanie Brown and a young man named Bernard in recent continuity.
4Grace Choi
The Powerhouse Of The Outsiders
Grace Choi is one of the longest-standing LGBTQ characters in the DC universe who was introduced during a new team led by Nightwing called The Outsiders. The team was composed of black sheep heroes and vigilantes who didn’t exactly color inside the lines, such as Roy Harper and Jade.
Grace was a wild card on the team and had the walk to back up the talk, gifted with Amazon-like strength, a healing factor, and near-invulnerable skin. Grace was an outcast among outcast, but as time passed, she came to treasure her teammates very much. Grace has always been open about her preferences as a bisexual individual and is noted to have a serious relationship with both Thunder and Red Arrow.
3Harley Quinn
The Crimson marionette
Harley Quinn’s popularity quickly shot to the top of the charts, becoming a fan-favorite character after her first appearance on the Batman animated series on Cartoon Network spearheaded by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini.
Her fans followed her in the comics as the Joker’s manipulated sidekick all the way to her separation from the crown prince of crime and breaking out on her own as an anti-hero. Harley Quinn’s character has been thoroughly explored in recent years receiving continual progression of finding a new way after halting her life of crime and even coming out as bisexual and becoming romantically involved, and then married to Poison Ivy.
2Alan Scott
The Sole Power Of The Star Heart
Possibly one of the most well-known members of the LGBTQ community in the DC universe, Alan Scott isthe original Green Lanternof the Golden Age of comics, appearing for the first time in All-American #16.
Alan Scott is a foundingmember of the Justice Societyand was a pillar of the team being both its conscious and one of its most powerful members. Alan Scott identified as a homosexual male after his character was revamped in the mid-2000s, where he was in a long-term relationship, which eventually led to him being engaged just a few issues later.
1Jon Kent
The New Man OF Steel
Jon Kent is one of the newest additions to DC Comics' current line of comics. He is the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, the offspring of the Man of Steel and the world’s most daring journalist. John went through a series of changes during DC’s Rebirth event, which aged him drastically.
Upon further exploration of his character, he was confirmed to be bisexual and in a same-sex relationship. Jon Kent was created by Alan Moore, Scott Lobdell, and Dan Jurgens but has had a resurgence in DC’s recent run by a host of new writers and artists who have brought their own light to the character.
