These Bisexual Heroes (and Villains) Deserve the Big-Screen Treatment
Comic books are full of all kinds of queer characters. It’s time these particular bisexual superheroes and villains get the big-screen treatment.
It’s been a good year to be a geeky bisexual. Trust me, I speak from experience! In DC Comics, next-generation heroes Robin (Tim Drake) and Superman and son of Kal-El Jon Kent have both come out as bisexual. The MCU teased at Loki and Sylvie’s bisexuality in their Disney+ series, and Selena Kyle gave us major bi sex worker vibes in The Batman. And then there’s John Cena’s Peacemaker, whose bisexuality and incredible opening credits are nothing short of a benevolent gift to humanity.
I’ve got a pretty big wishlist when it comes to all the different ways I’d like to see representation in my favorite fandoms this upcoming year. But bisexual characters in particular are near and dear to my heart – so I’ve got a long list of characters I’d like to see on screen. And I, for one, think I deserve to have nice things.
Wonder Woman
Okay, if you really wanna see some vintage Danni, you can watch me yell about this 7 years ago. One year later in 2016, Greg Rucka confirmed that Wondy has, in fact, had relationships with other women.
“It’s supposed to be paradise. You’re supposed to be able to live happily. You’re supposed to be able — in a context where one can live happily, and part of what an individual needs for that happiness is to have a partner — to have a fulfilling, romantic and sexual relationship. And the only options are women. But an Amazon doesn’t look at another Amazon and say, ‘You’re gay.’ They don’t. The concept doesn’t exist. Now, are we saying Diana has been in love and had relationships with other women? […] the answer is obviously yes.”
In the DCEU, no pre-Steve romances are implied, although Diana has done plenty of reading. But nothing is stated explicitly. And while WW1984 had some low-key girl-crush vibes passing between Diana and Barbara, it completely failed to do anything productive with them.
Look, Gal Gadot has said that she believes Diana loves people for their hearts and not their gender. A third Wonder Woman movie is a great place to explore Diana’s past and present relationships with other Amazons. Just whatever you do, DC, do not bring Steve Trevor back again.
John Constantine
Okay, listen, I’ve been very vocal about how much I want a Justice League Dark movie or series. And one of the major draws to getting a JLD lineup is a modernized John Constantine. John has a very dirty, smarmy charm about him that my demented little heart wants to see on-screen.
Now I know we get a canon bi Constantine in the animated movies (get it, King Shark). As much as I usually love DC’s animated content, those movies fell very short of my expectations. Don’t even get me started on how they treated my girl Zatana.
Jon Kent & Tim Drake
DC may be playing catch-up to Marvel in establishing a live-action blockbuster universe. But when it comes to introducing and popularizing the next-generation heroes, DC has done surprisingly well. Shows like Young Justice and Teen Titans Go! mirror the success of George Pérez‘s original DC teen team book Teen Titans.
I’d love to see DC take that young-hero-centered energy and put it in live-action – and not on the CW. I’m talking DCEU status, let Caville and Affleck put an end to the Axe body spray era of the Snyderverse by passing their names to Tim and Jon. It’s a bright bisexual new day!
Korra & Asami
I know everyone is thirsty for any kind of news about new Last Airbender content. Not to mention the tiny bit of our bodies that will remain clenched until we know for sure if Netflix’s live-action adaptation is a disaster or not. But while we’re all over here so invested in A:TLA, I genuinely want more Korra.
When the show first premiered, people hated it. But we’ve quickly come to retrospectively look back and appreciate that just like the first series the show is incredibly written. It grapples with some heavy interpersonal issues and spiritual concepts. Korra and Asami’s relationship came to be because fans really responded to the two characters’ chemistry. The creators told Vanity Fair that they had to fight to get the ending that they got, and even though it didn’t include a kiss, it’s gone down in history as one of the most significant queer moments in pop culture.
Adapting the LoK comic books into a live-action series would be incredible. It just feels like these ladies should get to live in the 21st century and fans should experience all the joy of watching their relationship function.
Speed & Noh-Varr
The MCU is absolutely laying the brickwork for the Young Avengers and no one can take that hope from me. We’ve had intros to Kate Bishop, America Chavez, and Wanda’s sons Tommy and Billy (who become Wiccan and Speed).
Catman
Courtesy of DC Comics
Listen, if Kite Man can become the breakout star of an adult Harley Quinn cartoon, the world is ready for Catman. Do it, DC, you cowards.
