Superman & Lois Should Explore Jon Kent's Bisexuality

[Behind the Aegis]

It's been only a few years since DC decided to start depicting Superman as a father, but this aspect of the character has quickly become popular with the fans, solidifying their first superhero as the epitome of a family man. Jonathan Kent, the son of Superman and Lois Lane, became a fan-favorite character by following in his father's footsteps, donning the mantle of Superboy and later becoming the second Superman. Soon after that, the character made his live-action debut in the CW drama Superman & Lois alongside his twin brother Jordan Kent.

In late 2021, DC Comics revealed that Jon Kent was bisexual and had a new boyfriend, exciting many fans around the world who were looking to see themselves represented. The version seen on Superman & Lois does not follow that same path. In early 2022, showrunner Todd Helbing stated that while he is not opposed to the idea of Jon being bisexual, "the comic book story and what we're doing are two separate stories."

However, there's creative room in Superman & Lois to incorporate Jon's bisexuality. The CW drama has successfully mixed superhero storylines with family problems throughout its seasons, especially the hardships that the teenage characters go through. Jordan Kent and Sarah Cortez have both struggled with mental illness, Nat Irons is still recovering from the destruction of her world, and Sarah briefly had an LGBTQ+ storyline herself, though it wasn't written very well.

An LGBTQ+ storyline revolving around Jon's complicated feelings about his self-image and his sexuality, especially within the world of high school sports, would fit within the show's already established narrative. Jon's Season 2 plotline centers around his inferiority complex in relation to both his super-powered brother and a football teammate who uses X-Kryptonite drugs to enhance himself during games. Jon's insecurity leads him to take X-Kryptonite that gives him the superpowers he always wanted. It wouldn't be surprising to learn that another reason Jon compares himself to other men is because of his sexuality.

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