He has accused the comics of ‘bandwagoning.’
Ex-Superman actor Dean Cain has criticised the decision from DC to have the superhero come out as bisexual in its new comic book series.
On Monday (October 11), DC announced that Jonathan Kent, the son of Clarke Kent and Lois Lane, will be bisexual in an upcoming storyline as part of the new series, Superman: Son of Kal-El.
The series sees Jonathan take on his father’s role and title in order to save the world.
In the run’s upcoming fifth issue, comic writer Tom Taylor will reveal that the young Kent is bisexual, with his new romantic interest being Jay Nakamura, a fellow reporter who cares for Superman after he faces mental and physical burn-out from trying to save too many people.
"Superman's symbol has always stood for hope, for truth and for justice. Today, that symbol represents something more."—@TomTaylorMade
Earth’s new Superman comes out as bisexual in SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL #5, on sale November 9. Details: https://t.co/tbDIwetW6G pic.twitter.com/kdL05HhzlO
— DC Nation (@thedcnation) October 11, 2021
But Cain, who played Superman in the 90s series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, has voiced his displeasure with the decision.
In an interview with Fox & Friends on Tuesday, Cain said: “They said it’s a bold new direction… I say they’re bandwagoning. Robin, of Batman and Robin, just came out as bi or gay recently and honestly who’s really shocked about that one? I had some thoughts about that a long time ago.
“The new Captain America is gay, my daughter in [the CW series] Supergirl, where I played the father, she was gay.
“So I don’t think it’s bold or brave or some crazy new direction. If they had done this 20 years ago, perhaps that would have been bold or brave.”
Cain went on to criticise some more of the narrative decisions made by the comic creators and the fact that Superman will now be taking on ‘real-world problems’ instead of some of the more grandiose villains fans might be used to.
He said: “They’re talking about him fighting real-world problems like climate change and the deportation of refugees and he’ll be dating a ‘hacktivist’, whatever a ‘hacktivist’ is, I don’t know.
“Why don’t they have him fight the injustices that created the refugees whose deportation he’s protesting? That would be brave, I’d read that.
“Or fighting for the rights of women to attend school and have the ability to work and live, and boys not to be raped by men under the new warm and fuzzy Taliban. That would be brave.”
Awesome interview on #FoxandFriends, @RealDeanCain👏🏻👏🏻
Your ideas for a “new age” Superman comic are fantastic—fighting for today’s truth and justice.✊🏼May I say, your Spanish oasis looks beautiful, and so do you!😍
Enjoy a lovely relaxing vacay.😘🏖🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/g4zZ4hicOi— ToniC (@tonichiulli) October 12, 2021
The new storyline in which Superman reveals his bisexuality will be released next month.
Related links:
- DC’s new Superman has officially come out as bisexual
- DC to make Superman queer in new comic series and fans are thrilled
- Black Superman movie being developed by J.J. Abrams and Ta-Nehisi Coates
