DC Comics to reintroduce character as gay

Published May 22 2012, 15:58 BST  |  By Mark Langshaw

DC Comics has confirmed that it will reintroduce one of its established characters as gay.

The news first broke during the publisher's 'New 52' panel at Kapow Comic Con over the weekend, and has since been reiterated by senior vice president of publicity Courtney Simmons.

She told ABC News: "One of the major iconic DC characters will reveal that he is gay in a storyline in June."

DC's 'New 52' line already features a number of gay, lesbian and bisexual characters, including Batwoman and Voodoo, but this will be the first time that a character has had their sexual orientation altered since September's relaunch.

It previously emerged that rival firm Marvel Comics is to include a same-sex wedding in June's Astonishing X-Men #51, widely believed to be between openly-gay hero Northstar and his boyfriend Kyle.

DC's Batwoman picked up an 'Outstanding Comic Book' award from gay rights watchdog GLAAD back in March.