Superman coming out as bisexual 'isn't bold or brave,' says Dean Cain

DC Comics announced Monday that Jonathan Kent, the new iteration of Superman, is bisexual and will soon embark on a romantic relationship with a male friend. The coming out of the traditionally heterosexual superhero is a notable moment in comic book history even though many in the industry have embraced diversity and are currently addressing pressing social issues in their work. Since the new series, Superman: Son of Kal-El, began in July, Jonathan Kent — who goes by Jon — has combated wildfires caused by climate change, stopped a high school shooting, and protested against the deportation of refugees in Metropolis.

"The idea of replacing Clark Kent with another straight White savior felt like a missed opportunity," Tom Taylor, who writes the series, told The New York Times in an interview. He added that a "new Superman had to have new fights — real-world problems — that he could stand up to as one of the most powerful people in the world." While many cheered the new character development, Former Superman actor Dean Cain criticized DC Comics' decision to have Jon come out as bisexual. During an appearance on Fox & Friends on Tuesday, the 55-year-old said: "They said it's a bold new direction. I say they're bandwagoning."

Cain, who portrayed the Man of Steel for four seasons on the 1993 TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, added: "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 be bold or brave. But brave would be having him fight for the rights of gay people in Iran where they'll throw you off a building for the offense of being gay. 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 work and live and boys not to be raped by men under the new warm and fuzzy Taliban," Cain continued. "There's real evil in this world today, real corruption and government overreach... It'd be great to tackle those issues. I'd like to see the character doing that." On Twitter, netizens were less than impressed with the star's take on Superman's sexuality. "Let's be clear. Dean Cain doesn't read comic books. If he weren't guaranteed a fee, he'd never set foot in a comic book convention. So asking his opinion, because he was the categorically worst Superman actor in creation for three seasons 30 years, is a useless exercise," tweeted comic book artist, Jamal Igle.

"Dean Cain is MAGA so I'm not surprised by him being upset that the new Superman Jon Kent is bisexual," commented @Caramel_Angel7. In a press release titled "Jon Kent Finds His Identity in Superman: Son of Kal-El #5," writer Tom Taylor explained: "I've always said everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes and I’m very grateful DC and Warner Bros. share this idea. Superman's symbol has always stood for hope, for truth, and for justice. Today, that symbol represents something more. Today, more people can see themselves in the most powerful superhero in comics."

DC Chief Creative Officer and Publisher Jim Lee also issued a statement regarding the new announcement. "We couldn't be prouder to tell this important story from Tom Taylor and [artist] John Timms," Lee said. "We talk a lot about the power of the DC Multiverse in our storytelling and this is another incredible example. We can have Jon Kent exploring his identity in the comics as well as Jon Kent learning the secrets of his family on TV on Superman & Lois. They coexist in their own worlds and times, and our fans get to enjoy both simultaneously."