Queerness in DC Comics

In 1954, Dr. Frederick Wertham's book, Seduction of the Innocent, claimed the comics were depraved and were harmful to children. This led to the creation of the Comics Code Authority, a voluntary yet omnipresent label ensuring comics bearing its sigil would follow many guidelines, one, in particular, being that “Illicit sex relations are neither to be hinted at nor portrayed. Rape scenes, as well as sexual abnormalities, are unacceptable.” This lead to the utilization of queer coding, especially with early work, which was often unflattering. Villains were often the focus of queer coding, which lead directly to villainizing gay people and ideas. Another aspect of queer coding is queerbaiting, which “baits” a queer audience with themes and character interactions that appeal while never delivering on these themes. But Tim Sheridan and Meghan Fitzmartin are two people who are changing the world of comics in 2021.

Your host is Levi Chambers, co-founder of Gayety.
Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @Pride.
Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.
Your producers are Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson and Edited by Silvana Alcala
Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].
*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.

Sponsored by:

Avocado Green Mattress

First Republic Bank

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1954, Dr. Frederick Wertham's book, Seduction of the Innocent, claimed the comics were depraved and were harmful to children. This led to the creation of the Comics Code Authority, a voluntary yet omnipresent label ensuring comics bearing its sigil would follow many guidelines, one, in particular, being that “Illicit sex relations are neither to be hinted at nor portrayed. Rape scenes, as well as sexual abnormalities, are unacceptable.” This lead to the utilization of queer coding, especially with early work, which was often unflattering. Villains were often the focus of queer coding, which lead directly to villainizing gay people and ideas. Another aspect of queer coding is queerbaiting, which “baits” a queer audience with themes and character interactions that appeal while never delivering on these themes. But Tim Sheridan and Meghan Fitzmartin are two people who are changing the world of comics in 2021.

Your host is Levi Chambers, co-founder of Gayety.

Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @Pride.

Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.

Your producers are Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson and Edited by Silvana Alcala

Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].

*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.

Sponsored by:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices