DC comic fans feel the love after Superman accepts his bisexual son
“I’m not crying, your crying!”
Fans of DC Comics are in bits over the way Superman has accepted his son’s bisexuality in a recent comic, once again proving Superman is a true hero.
The 17th issue of Superman: Son of Kal-El Superman/Clark Kent returns to Earth where he finds his son, Jon Kent, in a relationship with Jay Nakamura. Jon previously came out last November.
In the latest issue Jon and Clark have an emotional heart-to-heart where Superman attempts to relate his own experience growing up and hiding who he was with Jon’s experience.
“Every day of my life has been better since you’ve been in it. Every single day,” he then tells his son. “Who you love is the last thing that could change that. Anyone who makes your life better will always be a hero in my eyes.
“And no matter what, I will stand beside you. I will defend you. I will love you, and I will always, always be your father.”
Superman then adds, “You’re a miracle Jon Kent. My child of two worlds. My Superman. My son,” as the embrace.
The panels seem to have brought a tear to many an eye and warmed many a heart. One person wrote: “I’m not crying, your crying!” and “I wish every everyone could have this kind of love and acceptance.”
Thanking writer Tony Taylor, one person said: “This week’s issue of Superman Son of Kal El meant everything to me. As the bisexual kid who tried to come out to her parents and didn’t get the warmest reception…to see THE HERO of comics give his son that love I needed, healed my queer little heart.”
Someone replied with: “That is the Superman I wish was seen more outside comic books. His super powers have never been what made him a hero in my opinion. It’s always been who he is as a person first and foremost.”
“I wish I had men like Kal-El and Pa Kent in my life when I was coming out,” someone else wrote after reading the latest issue.
Addressing the storyline in an interview with Polygon Tony Taylor said that he wanted to show that Clark understood his son’s apprehensions about discussing his identity.
“After it was written, I talked to the artists, Cian Tormey and Ruairí Coleman, about the importance of this issue, and both told me they’d teared up reading the script. Cian and Ruairí both took so much care, and depicted these scenes beautifully. I hope what the Man of Steel feels and how he acts in this issue resonates with other parents of queer children.”
Superman: Son of Kal-El is available now.