# Existing "major" DC superhero to come out of the closet - Who will it be? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 23, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794 "2012-05-23T05:24:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![planetcory](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/planetcory/32/1032_2.png) [@planetcory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/planetcory)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/21 "2012-05-23T12:19:06Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > He’s appeared since the reboot. Last three issues of JLA. Well, Billy has. Theoretically, _he_ hasn’t been officially introduced yet, other than a single pose down in an alley.. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/22 "2012-05-23T12:22:07Z")
> [@cckerberos](#): > > IMHO, the most interesting take on Hawgirl was in the early issue of JSA when she was not interested in Hawkman. Agreed…I hated when they had Kendra suddenly get interested in Carter, almost as much as I hated when Shierra displaced her again. What we know about the character, that will be coming out: Male, iconic, not appeared in the relaunch, yet - which lets out 99% of the guesses made all around the web. No mention is made of his being a hero. So far the only valid guesses I’ve seen are: Riddler (may have appeared in one panel of the first issue of Dark Knight, but that was as likely one of his goons). Wally Orion Plas Any main member of the bat and super family is out because they’ve been headlining books since the relaunch, except Steph and Cass, both of whom fail the ‘male’ point. Even their major male supporting characters (Jimmy, Perry, Alfred, Gordon) are out, since they’ve all had major appearances since. Villains, too, save Riddler. (Not that Superman has a whole lot of ‘iconic’ villains, save Lex.) Ryan - a popular choice - fails on the ‘iconic’ note - he’s a fan favorite, but that’s not nearly the same thing, especially by DC’s reckoning, right now. > [@Fenris](#): > > My money’s on Alan Scott. His first appearance post Flashpoint is…hey, June Nope, his first appearance was a week or two before these announcements, in Earth-2 #1. It wasn’t a long appearance, but it was a major one, establishing some significant aspects of both his character, and the current state of Earth 2. Jay Garrick got a slightly longer appearance which touched on his origin, as well. It’s possible they’re stretching ‘hasn’t appeared yet’, and just counting when Alan gets his powers, in which case, I’d really like it if he did turn out to be the one. But I’m not counting on it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/23 "2012-05-23T12:23:20Z")
Ambush Bug? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/24 "2012-05-23T12:24:32Z")
I haven’t read DC comics in ages, but from what I remember, Superman spent years fending off Lois Lane’s attempts to seduce him, Batman spent years shacked up with his “youthful ward” Dick (_Dick_, that is!) Grayson at Stately Wayne Manor, Wonder Woman was the reason they established the Comics Code of America back in the '40s… I mean, come on: Which of them is NOT potentially gay?!? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/25 "2012-05-23T12:26:25Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Green aviator/horse-riding pants (the ones that get poofy at the thighs),… [Jodhpurs](http://images.partyamerica.com/images/products/en_us/detail/P404754_dt.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/26 "2012-05-23T12:30:42Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > Agreed…I hated when they had Kendra suddenly get interested in Carter, almost as much as I hated when Shierra displaced her again. > > What we know about the character, that will be coming out: Male, iconic, not appeared in the relaunch, yet - which lets out 99% of the guesses made all around the web. No mention is made of his being a hero. > > So far the only valid guesses I’ve seen are: > > Riddler (may have appeared in one panel of the first issue of Dark Knight, but that was as likely one of his goons). > Wally > Orion > Plas What about Ryan/Atom? We’ve apparently seen Ray in Frankenstein (from what I’ve heard) but Ryan’s due to show up soon. > [@](#): > > Nope, his first appearance was a week or two before these announcements, in Earth-2 #1. It wasn’t a long appearance, but it was a major one, establishing some significant aspects of both his character, and the current state of Earth 2. Jay Garrick got a slightly longer appearance which touched on his origin, as well. > > It’s possible they’re stretching ‘hasn’t appeared yet’, and just counting when Alan gets his powers, in which case, I’d really like it if he did turn out to be the one. But I’m not counting on it. Damn. A great theory screwed by the facts. 😛 As an aside, here’s the cover to his [first Green Lantern appearance (Earth Two #3)](http://scans-daily.dreamwidth.org/3695815.html). And his costume is no longer fabulous, it’s just boring. And why does ever character on almost every post-Flashpoint cover have an expression that makes them look like they sat on a cactus? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/27 "2012-05-23T12:36:13Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Batman: Son of the Demon. And if I remember correctly, Bruce and Talia were actually married at the time the conception occurred, so the child was not out-of-wedlock. (It was a short marriage. Bruce had problems with the in-laws.) ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/28 "2012-05-23T12:40:47Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > [Hmm.](http://www.mindonfire.com/images/RobinWhatHaveIDone.jpg) [Hmmmm](http://huf.18.forumer.com/uploads/huf/post-24-1335370247.png)… [Hmmmm](http://huf.18.forumer.com/uploads/huf/post-24-1330395149.jpg)… or [Hmmmmm](http://huf.18.forumer.com/uploads/huf/post-24-1330549608.jpg)… Or maybe [Hmmmmmm](http://huf.18.forumer.com/uploads/huf/post-24-1326159196.jpg)… ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/29 "2012-05-23T12:46:17Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > What about Ryan/Atom? We’ve apparently seen Ray in Frankenstein (from what I’ve heard) but Ryan’s due to show up soon. Like I said, I don’t think Ryan - as much as I love him - counts as iconic, especially the way DC’s been using the word, which basically translates to ‘if you asked someone who’d only seen these characters in tv shows or movies about them, what would they say?’ I’m glad of the fact that their current push for diversity is making them go with that instead of ‘iconic’ for the Atom, at least, but I doubt they’d use the word iconic for him. ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/30 "2012-05-23T12:51:22Z")
Since it is supposed to be an iconic character could it be ICON? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/31 "2012-05-23T12:55:14Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > Robin’s currently a boy again: Bruce’s son Damian Admittedly, I’ve not kept up, but WTF happened to Dick Grayson? How long has the Green Lantern been African American? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/32 "2012-05-23T12:59:36Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > Though given DC’s history of “creative re-imaginings” it’ll probably be someone like Guy Gardner. I read that as \*\*Gardner Guy \*\*and thought "man, they really are running out of superhero themes aren’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/33 "2012-05-23T13:01:12Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Admittedly, I’ve not kept up, but WTF happened to Dick Grayson? > How long has the Green Lantern been African American? [There’s been a black Green Lantern since about 1971-ish.](http://collectorsassemble.com/archive_image.php?issue_id=5356) [Dick Grayson grew up, changed his name and became Nightwing in 1985-ish](http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Tales_of_the_Teen_Titans_Vol_1_44) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/34 "2012-05-23T13:05:50Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Ambush Bug? Probably shacked up with Darkseid and/or the reanimated corpse of Julius Schwartz. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/35 "2012-05-23T13:05:51Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Admittedly, I’ve not kept up, but WTF happened to Dick Grayson? He graduated to Nightwing in the 80s. Then to Batman a couple years ago, when Bruce ‘died’, and for a year or two after he came back, now he’s back to being Nightwing. > [@](#): > > How long has the Green Lantern been African American? 40 years, give or take a few months. John’s first appearance was in 1971, and he’s been Green Lantern and a major character pretty much since the start, even when Hal was headlining (and John was officially his alternate, rather than partner, which is his current state). ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/36 "2012-05-23T13:06:28Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > Like I said, I don’t think Ryan - as much as I love him - counts as iconic, especially the way DC’s been using the word, which basically translates to ‘if you asked someone who’d only seen these characters in tv shows or movies about them, what would they say?’ I’m glad of the fact that their current push for diversity is making them go with that instead of ‘iconic’ for the Atom, at least, but I doubt they’d use the word iconic for him. I’d argue that Atom is far, FAR more iconic than Orion. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/37 "2012-05-23T13:13:18Z")
Thanks, Fenris! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/38 "2012-05-23T13:22:00Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > I’d argue that Atom is far, FAR more iconic than Orion. ‘Atom’, sure. ‘Ryan Choi’, no. If you asked someone whose only exposure to Atom was Superfriends or Justice League about Atom, if you got an answer beyond ‘wasn’t he that guy who shrank?’ the description you got would be of Ray, not Ryan. So, ‘the iconic version of Atom’ would be Ray Palmer, not Ryan Choi. At best, there’s enough similarity in the characters that someone who was familiar with him, but wasn’t familiar with Ryan’s series (or ignoble death), would be mildly confused about why he was suddenly Asian when presented with Ryan. (At worst, they’d be idiots who bitched about tokenism. ‘But that’s not the Atom…’ is the middle ground.) The same principle put Barbara back in the Batgirl suit, broke up the Kent-Lane marriage, and moved to their only being one Batman again. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/39 "2012-05-23T13:27:28Z")
This thread makes me realize how much I don’t know about DC comics. I’ve never heard of most of the “major” characters mentioned. If it’s not Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Robin, Aquaman, Green Lantern or Flash, then I probably don’t know who it is. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794/40 "2012-05-23T13:27:46Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > ‘Atom’, sure. ‘Ryan Choi’, no. > > If you asked someone whose only exposure to Atom was Superfriends or Justice League about Atom, if you got an answer beyond ‘wasn’t he that guy who shrank?’ the description you got would be of Ray, not Ryan. So, ‘the iconic version of Atom’ would be Ray Palmer, not Ryan Choi. At best, there’s enough similarity in the characters that someone who was familiar with him, but wasn’t familiar with Ryan’s series (or ignoble death), would be mildly confused about why he was suddenly Asian when presented with Ryan. (At worst, they’d be idiots who bitched about tokenism. ‘But that’s not the Atom…’ is the middle ground.) > > The same principle put Barbara back in the Batgirl suit, broke up the Kent-Lane marriage, and moved to their only being one Batman again. Counterpoint: Dick Grayson hasn’t been Robin since 1984. And yet, Robin is DC’s 3d most recognizable character after Superman and Batman (and before Wonder Woman) and there’s been no move to reinstate him as Robin, even after the Flashpoint reboot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existing-major-dc-superhero-to-come-out-of-the-closet-who-will-it-be/622794.md?page=3)