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Homosexuality In Batman

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DC Comics once accidentally gave us one of the most diverse characters in the history of comics, a strong woman of color who happens to be a lesbian. I’m sure everyone remembers Batman The Animated Series. It stands as arguably one of the best cartoons ever aired with solid plot lines that weren’t so dumbed down for five year olds that adults found them annoying (I’m looking at you Teen Titans Go). One of the new characters created just for the animated series was Officer Renee Montoya, the young idealistic partner of the cranky veteran Harvey Bullock. The character was an instant hit and soon made her debut as one of Gotham’s finest in Batman. Promoted to Homicide Detective in Batman #475 by Commissioner James Gordon, she was once again partnered …show more content…

She is eventually cleared of all charges but her overtly religious parents disown her because of her sexuality. Not long after her personal life falls apart including the destruction of the relationship with her girlfriend. Renee’s partner Crispus is murdered by a corrupt cop named Jim Corrigan. Vowing vengeance Renee beats Corrigan’s girlfriend unconscious and pulls a gun on Corrigan. Unable to enact her vengeance and feeling lost and broken, Renee quit the GCPD and spiraled further down into a pit of casual sex and alcohol …show more content…

Her friendship with The Question and his eventual demise at the hands of one of the worlds worst villains, cancer, caused a huge transformation. During 52 Renee spent a considerable amount of time in the city of Nanda Parbat, a mystical city in a Tibetesque region of the DCU. During her time there she struggled with her identity with the help of Richard Dragon, one of the men who helped mold Bruce Wayne into the Batman. Before his death the Question told Renee that his wish was for her to take over his mantle and continue his work. During and after 52 Renee, as the Question fought against the church of crime in Gotham and around the world finally ending up as the backup feature in Detective Comics.

After a while she landed a few mini series where she once again sparred with the Church of Crime. A group who worshiped murder and theft as though it were a religion. First shown in 52 the group became the main nemesis for Renee until Final Crisis Revelations where she goes head to head with long time DC villain Vandal Savage who turns out to be the immortal biblical Cain. She feuds with Savage again a few years later while destroying his human trafficking ring. During the final epic showdown Renee takes on the mark of Cain, herself becoming cursed with

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