“Following a scene where Superman (Jon Kent) mentally and physically burns out from trying to save everyone that he can, Jay is there to care for the Man of Steel,” the description reads. 

Artwork for the comic by John Timms shows the pair embracing in a passionate kiss, with Superman donning his iconic blue and red uniform.

The diversification of the iconic superhero comes amid a broader shift in the comic world towards 21st century social and cultural challenges.

In August, DC Comics also revealed that Batman sidekick Tim Drake, one of several Robins, would get a boyfriend, while a new Aquaman comic stars a gay Black man who is set to become the hero.

‘We are in a very different place today than we were ten years ago’

The mastermind behind the sequel, Mr Taylor, said: “Over the years in this industry, it probably won’t surprise you to hear I’ve had queer characters and storylines rejected. I felt like I was letting down people I loved every time this happened.

“But we are in a very different and much more welcome place today than we were ten, or even five years ago.”

Speculation about Superman’s sexuality has long been rife. In 2006, amid rumours that Superman would be gay in Superman Returns, the film’s director Bryan Singer insisted that he was “probably the most heterosexual character in any movie I’ve ever made”. 

Portrayals of secondary LGBT characters in comics stretch back decades.

In 1992 Northstar, a Marvel hero, came out as gay and DC Comics eventually made Batwoman a lesbian socialite. 

In 2018, a TV adaption for CW, a US channel, saw Batwoman become the first live-action superhero series with an openly gay lead character.