The Man of Steel? Lois Lane's lover? DC Comics has jumped the shark - maybe. But the DC Comics co-publisher appears to be contemplating changing the sexual orientation of an "established character:"

One question asked at the DC panel today at the Kapow comic convention in London, was about DC co-publisher Dan DiDio's interview with The Advocate. Specifically over the decision not to change any character's sexual orientation when relaunching the DC Universe. At the time Dan stated they would introduce new LGBT characters rather than switch orientation, but the question asked why DC would switch race, size, age, all sorts of identifying features, but not orientation.

Surprisingly, Dan stated that they had changed DC's policy in this regard. And they ae about to reintroduce a previously existing DC character who was previously straight and now will be "one of our most prominent gay characters."

As Senior VP Sales Bob Wayne explained, just like the President of the United States, the co-publisher's policy on this "has evolved."

And despite his best efforts to stem Dan's wandering mouth, we also got the very strong impression that the death of Superman of Earth Two many not have been as final as portrayed...

Obviously, this doesn't mean that the character that is to be transformed is Superman. But his death certainly opens up that possibility.

If DC Comics thinks they can make money turning Superman gay, I say let them try. Every business owner is entitled to make mistakes and turning the American icon into something his creator would never have envisioned, much less approved, is his right.

Perhaps DC Comics has surveyed their customers and discovered they would gain more than they lose. I doubt that. But regardless, a gay Superman would be barred from every Muslim country in the world, and probably other places as well.

That probably isn't in the business plan.