Queer stories in comics didn’t just pop up overnight—they’ve been there, coded or hidden, long before large publishers dared to print, openly, LGBTQIA+ heroes.
During much of the mid-20th century, mainstream U.S. comics operated under rules that erased LGBTQIA+ people from continuity. Creators had to bury queer identity in subtext. When they finally pushed past those barriers, readers noticed. One of the first seismic moments came in 1992. Jean-Paul “Northstar” Beaubier, a speedster from “Alpha Flight,” shouted “I am gay” on-panel in “Alpha Flight” No. 106. Northstar’s coming-out marked the first time a major Marvel character openly declared his sexuality. The issue sold out quickly.
Since then, queer characters have become staples in comics across genres. Here are five of the best LGBTQIA+ storylines for anyone looking to expand their collection.
1. Batwoman’s Rebirth (“Batwoman”)
Kate Kane’s return as Batwoman in 2006 was monumental. DC reintroduced her as an openly lesbian hero, a bold move at the time when queer leads were rare in mainstream comics. Her romance with Gotham detective Renee Montoya gave fans a layered story of two women navigating love and justice. When DC later planned a wedding between Batwoman and her fiancée Maggie Sawyer but pulled the plug, readers pushed back hard. Batwoman has since remained one of the most prominent lesbian characters in comics and on TV.
2. Rictor and Shatterstar (“X-Factor”)
Fans had suspected it for years, but in “X-Factor” #45, Marvel confirmed what queer readers already knew — Rictor and Shatterstar were more than just teammates. Their kiss marked Marvel’s first on-panel same-sex smooch between male superheroes. The storyline was popular not just for the romance but for the normalization. Their relationship had the messy vibe of any love story, filled with arguments and reconciliations.
3. “Young Avengers”
If one title puts queer teens front and center, it’s “Young Avengers.” Writer Allan Heinberg introduced Wiccan (Billy Kaplan) and Hulkling (Teddy Altman) in 2005, and their romance grew into one of the most beloved in Marvel’s history. Not only did their relationship survive endless multiversal chaos, but it also gave Marvel its first gay teen superheroes leading a team. Later runs doubled down, making queerness integral to the series, with characters like America Chavez, a powerhouse Latina lesbian character.
4. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy (“Harley Quinn”)
For decades, Harley and Ivy were written with a “wink-wink” energy—besties with undeniable chemistry. DC finally gave fans what they wanted in 2013’s “Harley Quinn” comics and later in “Harley Quinn: The Animated Series.” Their romance is chaotic, fun, and deeply affirming. It also redefined Harley’s story — moving her beyond her toxic relationship with the Joker to one rooted in care and respect. There is also an entire website dedicated to tracking the times the two have locked lips.
5. Mystique and Destiny (“Immortal X-Men”)
Mystique and Destiny were queer icons long before Marvel admitted it. Chris Claremont originally intended them to be Nightcrawler’s parents, but 1980s editorial censors killed the plan because it meant acknowledging a lesbian couple. Decades later, Marvel finally embraced their love in “Immortal X-Men,” giving the two mutant matriarchs center stage as a power couple.
Which queer comic couple would you like to see in a live-action adaptation? Let us know.
