What follows are a list of LGBTQ comic book characters (with a focus on LGBTQ superheroes) by the year they were introduced and links to associated articles when present.
1940
1940Madam Fatal
Other LGBTQ Characters from the 1940s
LGBTQ Comic Book Characters of the 1980s
1982
Hopey and Maggie from Love and Rockets
1984
1984Cloud of the Defenders
Northstar of Alpha Flight
1988
1988The Desert Peach
Extrano of the New Guardians
Maggie Sawyer of Superman
Other LGBTQ Characters from the 1980s
LGBTQ Comic Book Characters of the 1990s
1991
1991Pied Piper of Flash
1992
Victoria Montesi of Darkhold
1993
1993Transgender Characters’ Imperfect Breakthrough
Coagula of the Doom Patrol
Mantra
Masquerade of Blood Syndicate
Spectral of The Strangers
1994
1994Donner and Blitzen of the Shadow Cabinet
Lord Fanny of the The Invisibles
1995
1995Spectral of the Strangers
1998
Ash Lynx of Banana Fish
Other LGBTQ Characters from the 1990s
LGBTQ Comic Book Characters of the New Millennium
2001
GoGo Fiasco of Codename: Blackout
2002
2002Josiah Power of the Power Company
2003
Grace Choi and Thunder
Rawhide Kid
Revolutionary Girl Utena
2004
Eroica of From Eroica with Love
2005
Scandal Savage and Knockout
Wiccan and Hulkling
2006
20062009
Shatterstar and Rictor
Other LGBT Characters from the 2000s
2010
20102011
America Chavez of Young Avengers
Bunker of Teen Titans
2015
Iceman
2016
Aqualad of the Titans
Chalice of Alters
2017
The Ray of Justice League of America
Great list. As a massive fan of classic shoujo and josei manga, I do have to wonder about you including Eroica from From Eroica with Love and Ash from Banana Fish. Eroica premiered in 1976–but of course his sexuality was kinda, sorta, hidden. But a superhero? Or is this just comic books in general (in which case the list for manga should be massive 😉 ).
As for Ash–Banana Fish is one of my fave pieces of fiction in any format, ever (I’m anxiously awaiting the anime version premiering in July). People have debated his sexuality in general for ages–he was sexually exploited and abused as a kid and teenager with other men, and of course his intimate relationship with Eiji is central to the long manga. But their homoerotic relationship is never spelled out (something some criticize author Akimi Yoshida over, though I think it actually works well in context). So… vaguely bisexual might be a better definition (or so traumatized by his past that he can be intimate in every sense but sexually). But everyone seems to have different takes… I do question again his inclusion as a superhero–and to be clear, I’m glad to see him on any such list, I was just wondering why, out of so many manga characters, he ended up here 🙂
Good points, all, Eric. I think–in all honesty–I was influenced by SEO (Search Engine Optimization) considerations, knowing that “LGBTQ SUPERheroes” will draw more hits than the more ambiguous “LGBTQ heroes” which doesn’t clearly indicate fictional characters. Once I was doing the list I wanted to include Eroica and Ash as early influential queer manga characters. (Early was the main reason for including them and not others). Yes, their sexuality wasn’t explicit, but they both had a clear queer sensibility so given the Q in the title I think they count. But superheroes, no, you’re right. This list was more quickly done and didn’t get the TLC of some of my other posts.
Keep the comments and constructive critiques coming. You’ll see their influence at some point, hopefully sooner than later. I will likely change it to “LGBTQ comic book characters,” which would be more accurate.