LGBTQIA+ DC Comics superheroes
Justice League Queer, or JLQ, is a fictional superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Justice League Queer was an ad-hoc team of LGBTQIA+ heroes formed by Gregorio de la Vega to fight off Eclipso when he attacked a pride parade. The team is a variation on one of DC's long-running properties, the Justice League (originally and sometimes still known as the Justice League of America, commonly abbreviated as "JLA"). The JLQ was originated by Andrew Wheeler and Luciano Vecchio.[1]
Publication history
DC introduced the concept as one of 16 entries[2] in a bracket tournament called Round Robin,[3] which was announced on DC's Twitter account on March 31, 2021.[4] The public voted for pitches they would like to see as a six-issue[5] miniseries. JLQ was eliminated in the first round.[6]
The inclusion of JLQ in a tournament generated criticism[7] from those who felt that it gave people a platform to anonymously reject representation in comics,[8] "effectively a referendum on the existence of queer superheroes".[9] Though JLQ did not win the tournament, its bracket was the focus of a sizable number of votes.[10] The team debuted in a narrative written by Wheeler in DC Pride #1, a comic book released on June 8, 2021[11] (which falls during Pride Month in the United States). Their next appearance was in the 2021 holiday anthology comic book ‘Tis the Season to be Freezin’ (cover dated February 2022).[12]
Members
All members joined in DC Pride #1 (August 2021):
- The Aerie – A gender non-binary terrorist, first appearing in Suicide Squad Volume 6 #1 (February 2020). They are dating Wink and are a metahuman, with organic blue wings.
- Apollo – A gay superhero, also known as Andrew Pulaski, first appearing in StormWatch Volume 2 #4 (February 1998). He is married to Midnighter and is a metahuman with solar abilities, as well as flight, speed, and strength comparable to Superman.
- Aqualad – A half-Atlantean gay superhero, also known as Jackson Hyde, first appearing in Brightest Day #4 (August 2010). As well as possessing superior Atlantean physical attributes, Aqualad can control and create hard constructs out of water.
- Batwoman - A lesbian superhero, also known as Katherine Kane, first appearing in 52 #7 (August 2006). She deploys her considerable combat training and wealth in a never-ending war on crime.
- Bunker – A gay superhero from Mexico, also known as Miguel Barragan, first appearing in Teen Titans Volume 4 #1 (November 2011). Miguel has the metahuman ability to create constructs out of energy bricks, similar to Green Lantern.
- Crush – A lesbian superhero, also known as Xiomara Rojas, first appearing in Teen Titans Special #1 (August 2018). She is the daughter of the Czarnian alien anti-hero Lobo and inherits his considerable strength and regenerative abilities.
- Extraño – A gay superhero sorcerer from Peru, also known as Gregorio de la Vega, first appearing in Millennium #2 (January 1988). He is married to Tasmanian Devil and is one of the DC Universe's top sorcerers.
- Midnighter – A gay superhero first appearing in StormWatch Volume 2 #4 (February 1998). He is married to Apollo. His use of stealth and martial arts combined with a metahumanly high pain tolerance and the ability to predict his opponents' movements to make him a formidable opponent.
- The Ray – A gay superhero, also known as Raymond Terrill, first appearing in The Ray #1 (February 1992). He has the metahuman ability to manipulate light and radiation, both offensively as well as to fly or turn invisible.
- Shining Knight – A gender non-binary immortal swordfighter from Arthurian England, known as Ystin, first appearing in Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight #1 (May 2005).
- Steel – A queer superhero, also known as Natasha Irons, first appearing in Steel Volume 2 #1 (February 1994). She uses highly advanced armor and technology made from sentient metal.
- Sylvan "Syl" Ortega – A gay superhero from Brazil who is the magical apprentice to Extraño, first appearing in DC Pride #1 (June 2021). The would-be pajé of an extinct South American tribe, he has a natural affinity for plant-based magic.
- Tasmanian Devil – A gay therianthrope superhero from Australia, also known as Hugh Dawkins, first appearing in Super Friends #9 (December 1977). He is married to Extraño.
- Traci 13 – A bisexual superhero, also known as Traci Thirteen or Traci Thurston, first appearing in Superman Volume 2 #189 (February 2003). She is a member of the homo magi race with magical abilities linked to "the magic of cities".
- Tremor – An asexual Bengali superhero from India, also known as Roshanna Chatterji, first appearing in Secret Six Volume 3 #25 (November 2010). She has the power to create shockwaves.
- Wink – A queer terrorist, first appearing in Suicide Squad Volume 6 #1 (February 2020). She is dating The Aerie and is a metahuman whose power is to teleport short distances at will.
