So, I’ll admit to being obsessed with comic book superheroes. Which is why I finally wrote a lesbian superhero novel. Out of the multitude of superheroes in both the DC and Marvel universes, very few are lesbians. That was something I definitely wanted to research, but I also had questions about the origin of superheroes. Here’s what I learned.
- Contrary to popular belief, superheroes did not originate in the US. In fact, the very first comic book hero appeared in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1873 with The Adventures of Supermac. The hero, with his alter ego Kent McBruce, possessed amazing strength, although his powers faded when he was exposed to the Scottish tonic wine Buckfast. I think that Superman might have been a rip-off of Supermac… Do you really think that the similarity of the names Kent McBruce and Clark Kent is a coincidence?
- Prior to the golden era there were numerous superheroes not making their debut in comic books, including: Hugo Hercules in 1902, appearing in the Chicago Tribune; The Scarlet Pimpernel, who appeared in a play in 1903; Nictalope, a superhero who appeared in 1911 in a French newspaper serial; Patoruzu who appeared in an Argentine newspaper serial in 1928; Popeye who first appeared in 1929 is a debatable superhero, but he did possess superstrength after eating spinach; Hugo Danner, a gladiator with superhuman abilities appeared in a novel in 1930; Golden Bat, a Japanese superhero who appeared in 1930; Chandu the Magician debuted in 1931 as a radio show; Mandrate the Magician who appeared in a newspaper serial in 1934 along with Lothar who was Mandrake’s sidekick and the strongest man in the world.
- The golden era of superheroes did not begin with Superman, even though he is often credited as the first superhero in the US. Prior to Superman, there was Dr. Occult, created by Siegel and Shuster. He first appeared in New Fun Comics #6 in 1935 and is considered DC’s first recurring superhero, using occult powers to fight supernatural evil. Then there was the Phantom, the Ghost who walks, created in 1936 by King Features Syndicate, two years before Superman.
- The first superhero published by Marvel was an android called the Human Torch, featured in Marvel Comics #1, released in October 1939. But, not so fast, because some believe that Namor the Sub-Mariner, who also appeared in that first issue, is considered the first because an earlier, uncirculated version of his story was printed before this first issue.
- Possibly the first woman considered a superhero was Olga Mesmer, “The Girl with the X-Ray Eyes”, who starred in a single-page comic strip that ran in issues of the pulp magazine Spicy Mystery Stories with a debut in 1937, prior to Wonder Woman, who debuted in 1941. Also, prior to Wonder Woman was Jane Gem, who first appeared in Amazing Man Comics in 1939, and some believe was not technically a superhero because she was a Martian (what a freakin double standard…duh Superman was a Kryptonian). Some believe that Fantomah, “Mystery Woman of the Jungle”, was the first female comic-book superhero who debuted in a backup feature in Jungle Comics #2 (Feb. 1940).
- The first openly lesbian superhero in mainstream comics is Thunder (Anissa Pierce) from the DC Comics series Black Lightning. Side note: Her girlfriend, Grace Choi, is also a superhero, shapeshifting badass. Thunder first appeared in the comic Adventures of the Outsiders in 1986. What’s even more exciting is that Thunder and her girlfriend, whom she marries, are both people of color.
So there you have it. I honestly have no preference for DC or Marvel. I love them both. I just wish they would start incorporating more LGBTQ+ characters into their movies and television series. There simply aren’t enough. I’m not talented enough to pen a graphic novel, but I did write a really fun lesbian superhero novel, The Invisible Woman, that also combines a satisfying friends-to-lovers and opposites-attract romance. It’s a fun read and also out on Audible, narrated by the fabulous Robin Amanda. I love, love, love her narration on this novel and have already asked her to narrate my next book, A Moment in Time. If you want to check it out, simply click the links below!
The Invisible Woman: A Lesbian Superhero Story
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Trouble in Paradise – Trophy Wives Club Book 4
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The Kitten Trap
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The Love Demand
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Pleasure Workers in Audio
Love Sins – The Final Chapter in The Organization Universe
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The Final Chapter in the original Organization series is now in Audible
Catch up with Books 1 and 2 in The Next Generation Series
Where it all began….
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Annette Mori 
Just inserting my opinion here 🙂
I actually prefer DC comics because they have such a diverse range of representation I could never find on Marvel anything (Although Agatha All Along gives me great hope for them). And if you’re not familiar with DC’s Legends of Tomorrow – you should be. Best sapphic couple on TV imo and the character Black Canary has many interesting versions in both comics and on the Arrowverse. The whole show has a very queer and inclusive vibe to it from season 3 (first two are not so great). Also, Nubia, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Danny the street, Batwoman, Renee Montoya…. Those are just the ones I personally like. DC has multiple trans, non-binary, bi, pan and gay rep in both comics and shows. I did look up the number of LGBTQ rep Marvel has and it’s barely any, especially when compared to DC, and almost all are homosexuals. You can claim quantity does not equal quality, personally I always feel like DC is being so respectful and their characters are not tokens just to appease people. Their stories are not just about queerness or coming out.
Yeah I’m a total geek and if you actually read all of that, thanks for listening 😄 Yahli
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Yes, I have seen Legends and loved it. And binged The Green Arrow as well. Very true that DC has done well with LGBTQ+ representation compared to Marvel, but I have to admit enjoying Marvel as well. I’ve always heard about Harley Quinn and Poisen Ivy, but everything I’ve ever seen doesn’t get much into their love story, at least not in movies or TV representations…maybe the comics or cartoons…
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Regarding Harley and Ivy, the comics show their love more, and they do have the animated series that’s all about their relationship and comics that are related to the series. But what I actually love is the knowledge that they’re both bi/pan in the main comics without the plots and stories being about that and not focused on romance, that’s obviously a personal thing.
I definitely get why people enjoy Marvel, it wasn’t criticism about that just pointing out the rep in these companies is on completely different levels
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Harley and Ivy in the main comics don’t have much romance, which I personally enjoy (the focus is on their plots and adventures). The animated series is all about their relationship though and it has its own comics, and both characters have side stories in graphic novels/books about them that are more sapphic romance.
I understand why people enjoy Marvel, my point was more that if you’re going to compare representation there’s a big difference, especially when taking into account the range, publication dates and quality of the rep.
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No worries…I got that and very much appreciate any additional information and education on one of my obsessions! It’s too bad I never really got into comics…I might have to give the animated version a try, though.
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