Gayest Comic Book Heroes

We're not sure why the first gay super villain was also the lamest -- but hey, at least the Legion of Doom is an equal-opportunity employer.

Green Lantern dubbed his motley crew "The Rainbow Brigade." Thanks for the freebee, GL.

Props to Northstar for being the first openly gay superhero, but we must admit that a battle of epic proportions is kind of an awkward time to come out. Maybe next time just make the announcement when the Earth isn't hanging in the balance?

Originally created as a suppressant to Batman and Robin's unintentional gay relationship in the 1950s, Kathy Kane further proved that no character can walk out of Gotham City as straight as they came in. Still, Batwoman remains not only the highest profile, but also most respectable gay character in comics.

One of the most enduring relationships in Marvel Comics isn't between a man and woman, but involves two gay teenagers. Mister Fantastic and Sue Storm -- your days as "cutest couple" are numbered.

Aside from his name, consider this exchange:

Rawhide Kid: "Oh no, is this going to be one of those Macho Tough Guy Tests?"
Obligatory A**hole Outlaw: "Looks that way."
Rawhide Kid: "Uch. These are soooo boring."
Obligatory A**hole Outlaw: "I'm tellin' ya, Cisco, this guy acts like some kinda damn Daisy Boy."

There's a reason he's only had seven issues in just as many years.

What do you get when you rip off Batman and Vin Diesel at the same time? Midnighter -- the grim 'n gritty gay man who won't hesitate to beat the crap out of you.

What's the best way to really piss off your immortal, world-conquering father? Deny him an heir to his throne. Having a name like "Scandal Savage" helps too.

Dr. Mann has always played for our team, even before a plague came along and killed every man on the planet (except one). Still, living in a world of only women must making getting action even easier for her.

For those who felt a funny tingle when watching Papa Smurf as a kid -- check this guy out.

Gay, powerless, and without a costume, The Question proves that, hell, even you could be a superhero (good luck pulling off that fedora though).

To be frank, it's a little surprising that creator Alan Moore made him bi and then left it at that. What, no costume fetish or dangling blue penis?

The villainous son of Wolverine, Daken's powerful pheromones aid him in seducing any man or woman -- a nifty trick for anyone standing in your way of world domination. It's almost enough to mask that douchey mohawk.

While most gay comic characters were essentially asexual before their outing, this master of shadows struggled through numerous relationships with women before embracing who he really was. Is it too late for Superman to do the same?

The guy can't get it up unless he's dressed as a giant owl. Drag queens? Yes, please. But drag animals? We're going to pass on that.

Back in the day, X-Men writer Chris Claremont proposed that the female shapeshifter go lesbian and then transform into a man so she could have a child with her girlfriend. Alas, the Comics Code Authority shot the idea down because... sleeping with Wolverine would be way better? Raven's forbidden love gets the occasional offhanded reference, and we'll take it.

The original ambiguously gay duo. Though their days of hanging out in a cave (and bed) together are long behind them, one can't help but notice a twinkle in the Dark Knight's eye whenever he is gazing upon the Boy Wonder.

With a flamboyant costume (even by superhero standards) and a propensity to refer to himself as "Auntie," Extraño proved that comics weren't quite ready for gay characters in the '80s. To make matters worse, he contracted HIV from -- wait for it --"Hemo-Goblin: The AIDS Vampire" (boy, do we wish we were kidding).

Is it just us, or is it a little curious that all of the Thunder God's "mighty" power resides in a phallic-looking hammer? There must be a reason why only "The Worthy" can wield it!