A couple of weeks ago, DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio revealed that a major character would be revealed as gay when reintroduced as part of the company's "New 52" relaunch. This week, after widespread speculation on who the character might be, they revealed his identity: The Mystery Is Over
It's Alan Scott! Who? For those who aren't too familiar with the DC Comics Universe, he's the original Golden Age Green Lantern. In Earth 2 #2, Alan Scott is introduced as Earth Two's sole Green Lantern... who happens to be gay. I only bring it up here because it looks like his partner is an Asian guy named Sam (who greets him with a welcome home kiss):
The new Alan Scott is introduced in issue #2, though his origins won't be fully explained until issue #3. According to DC, "a traumatic event will serve as the catalyst for him assuming his superhero identity as The Green Lantern."
There's been a great deal of press around this revelation, but honestly, I don't think it's a big deal. I grew up reading a lot of DC Comics -- even more than Marvel. While Alan Scott is one of DC's oldest and most established characters, I'd hardly call him a major character anymore. But maybe that changes in the new continuity. You wanna do something really bold, DC? Make Batman gay.