7 LGBT Superheroes Who Went From Comics To Cartoons
LGBT superheroes are nothing new. They've even popped up on television on shows like Supergirl and the Flash (mostly thanks to the efforts of out producer Greg Berlanti). But when it comes to their brightly colored counterparts in the world of cartoons, queer representation is still sorely lacking.
It part that's because animation is still viewed as a kid's medium, and studios are hesitant to ruffle the feathers of homophobic parents. (Though the popularity of shows like Steven Universe and Danger and Eggs are proving you can have LGBT characters without getting into discussions of sex.)
Below, we shine a light on seven costumed crusaders who are out and proud, and leaping from page to screen.
Aqualad
Aqualad has been part of the DC Universe for decades, though more than one character has used the name. The most recent Aqualad, Jackson Hyde, joined the Teen Titans last year.
Hyde is gay and has (or at least had) a boyfriend—and a mom who's not happy with his “unnatural behavior. (Of course his mom hid his Atlantean origins from Jackson, so she's not one to talk about "unnatural.")
The animated version of Aqualad debuted in the acclaimed Young Justice cartoon, which is making a return next year. In the original series, his secret identity is Cal Durham, but the character's look and origins are the same.
He was also in love with an Atlantean girl named Tula, but with the show jumping ahead several years he could easily be depicted as having come out as bi or gay.
Iceman
Bobby Drake has been an X-man for more than 50 years, but only came out as gay in 2015. He's appeared in numerous cartoons, most famously the campy '80s show Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.
Iceman hasn't appeared in cartoon form since coming out, but with his own comic book out now, it's only a matter of time.
Batwoman
Various iterations of Batwoman have appeared in Batman cartoons, though the current one—lesbian caped crusader Kate Kane—didn't appear until the 2016 animated feature Batman: Bad Blood.
Her sexuality is openly addressed in the film, and she is shown meeting with lesbian detective Renee Montoya in the movie's finale.
Harley Quinn
This one's technically a cheat, as Harley first appeared in a cartoon, Batman: The Animated Series, back in 1992, before making her first appearance in the comics in 1999.
Long known as the Joker's main squeeze, Harley is canonically bisexual, with heavy allusions to a past relationship with Poison Ivy.
Northstar
A French-Canadian mutant with the power of superspeed, Northstar (Jean-Paul Beaubier) is known as much for his snooty attitude as his incredible swiftness. (We were never sure if his haughtiness was supposed to signify homosexuality or "Frenchness.")
Northstar appears in the 1980s X-Men cartoon, in episodes "Slave Island", "Repo Man," and "Child of Light," all voiced by Rene Lemieux. (None directly mentioned his sexual orientation.)
Traci Thirteen
Like many heroes, Traci, the daughter of occult detective Dr. Thirteen, has had several different origins over the years. No long ago she was the long-distance girlfriend of Jaime Reyes, a.k.a. the Blue Beetle. More recently, "Traci 13" reappeared as the girlfriend of Natasha Irons, niece of John Henry Irons, a.k.a. Steel.
She's slated to appear in the upcoming Young Justice: Outsiders cartoon, giving the show the perfect opportunity to spotlight both a queer character and a same-sex superhero couple.
The Ray
Another long-timer with various revamps dating back to 1940, the Ray will star in an animated series, Freedom Fighters: The Ray, on the CW Seed. This iteration of the Ray is openly gay, and the CW has confirmed his sexuality is being incorporated into the show.
In comics land, the Ray (real name: Ray Terrill) is part of the Justice League of America, making him the most high-profile LGBT superhero on the market today.