Superman actor Dean Cain has accused comic book writers of “bandwagoning” after it was announced the Man of Steel was coming out as bisexual.
Cain, who played the role of Clark Kent/Superman himself in the television series 'Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' throughout its run from 1993 to 1997, said the move would have been "brave" 20 years ago, but wasn't impressive now.
DC Comics announced the new storyline for Jon Kent (Clark’s son and heir to the Superman name) on Monday, which will see him find love with male reporter Jay Nakamura.
Cain appeared on US television on Monday (October 11), meanwhile, refuting the writers' claims of a "bold new direction" for the superhero.
"They said it’s a bold new direction. I say they’re bandwagoning," the 55-year old told Fox and Friends.
"I don’t think it’s bold or brave or some crazy new direction. If they had done this 20 years ago, perhaps that would be bold or brave.
"But brave would be having him fight for the rights of gay people in Iran where they’ll throw you off a building for the offence of being gay."
Actor Cain then went on to refer to another recent comic book storyline in which Superman fought against the deportation of refugees from Metropolis, suggesting the Man of Steel should instead be preoccupied with political matters in the Middle East.
"Why don’t they have him fight the injustices that created the refugees whose deportation he’s protesting? That would be brave, I’d read that," he added.
"Or fighting for the rights of women to attend school and work and live and boys not to be raped by men under the new warm and fuzzy Taliban.
"There’s real evil in this world today, real corruption and government overreach. It’d be great to tackle those issues. I’d like to see the character doing that."
The comic book in question, Superman: Son Of Kal-El #5 will be available from November 9.
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