Justice League Queer (JLQ) is asuperhero team appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. Justice League Queer was anad-hoc team ofLGBTQIA+ heroes formed byGregorio de la Vega to fight offEclipso when he attacked a pride parade. The team is a variation on one of DC's long-running properties, theJustice 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]
DC introduced the concept as one of 16 entries in a bracket tournament called Round Robin, which was announced on DC'sTwitter account on March 31, 2021.[2][3][4] The public voted for pitches they would like to see as a six-issue miniseries.[5] JLQ was eliminated in the first round.[5]
The inclusion of JLQ in a tournament generated criticism from those who felt that it gave people a platform to anonymously reject representation in comics, "effectively a referendum on the existence of queer superheroes".[6][7][8] Though JLQ did not win the tournament, its bracket was the focus of a sizable number of votes.[7] The team debuted in a narrative written by Wheeler inDC Pride #1, a comic book released on June 8, 2021 (which falls duringPride Month in the United States).[9] Their next appearance was in the 2021 holiday anthology comic book'Tis the Season to be Freezin' (cover dated February 2022).[10]
Apollo (Andrew Pulaski) – Agay superhero, first appearing inStormWatch Volume 2 #4 (February 1998). He is married toMidnighter and is a metahuman with solar abilities, as well as flight, speed, and strength comparable toSuperman.
Aqualad (Kaldur'ahm) – Ahalf-Atlantean gay superhero, also known as Jackson Hyde, first appearing inBrightest Day #4 (August 2010). As well as possessing superior Atlantean physical attributes, Aqualad can control and create hard constructs out of water.
Batwoman (Kate Kane) - Alesbian superhero, first appearing in52 #7 (August 2006). She deploys her considerable combat training and wealth in a never-ending war on crime.
Bunker (Miguel Barragan) – A gay superhero from Mexico, first appearing inTeen Titans Volume 4 #1 (November 2011). Miguel has themetahuman ability to create constructs out of energy bricks, similar toGreen Lantern.
Crush (Xiomara Rojas) – A lesbian superhero, first appearing inTeen Titans Special #1 (August 2018). She is the daughter of the Czarnian alien anti-heroLobo and inherits his considerable strength and regenerative abilities.
Extraño (Gregorio de la Vega) – A gay superhero sorcerer from Peru, first appearing inMillennium #2 (January 1988). He is married toTasmanian Devil and is one of the DC Universe's top sorcerers.
Midnighter – A gay superhero first appearing inStormWatch Volume 2 #4 (February 1998). He is married toApollo. His use of stealth and martial arts combined with high pain tolerance and the ability to predict his opponents' movements to make him a formidable opponent.
The Ray (Ray Terrill) – A gay superhero, first appearing inThe Ray #1 (February 1992). He has the metahuman ability to manipulate light and radiation, both offensively as well as to fly or turn invisible.
Steel (Natasha Irons) – Aqueer superhero, first appearing inSteel 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 toExtraño, first appearing inDC Pride #1 (June 2021). The would-bepajé of an extinct South American tribe, he has a natural affinity for plant-based magic.
Tasmanian Devil (Hugh Dawkins) – A gay superhero from Australia first appearing inSuper Friends #9 (December 1977). He is able to transform into a large anthropomorphic of his namesake and is married toExtraño.
Traci Thirteen (Traci Thurston) – A bisexual superhero, first appearing inSuperman Volume 2 #189 (February 2003). She is a member of thehomo magi race with magical abilities linked to "the magic of cities".
Tremor (Roshanna Chatterji) – Anasexual Bengali superhero from India, first appearing inSecret Six Volume 3 #25 (November 2010). She has the power to create shockwaves.
Wink – A queer terrorist, first appearing inSuicide Squad Volume 6 #1 (February 2020). She is datingThe Aerie and is a metahuman whose power is to teleport short distances at will.
