George Takei Calls Out Dean Cain Over Criticism of New Bi Superman

George Takei has called out former Superman actor Dean Cain for criticizing DC Comics' announcement on Monday that the latest Superman, Clark Kent's son Jon Kent, will kiss his male friend in next month's issue of Superman: Son of Kal-El.

"They said it's a bold new direction. I say they're bandwagoning," Cain, who played Superman/Clark Kent in the TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, told Fox & Friends on Tuesday. He said that other comic book characters have come out, such as Robin and the new Captain America. "So 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 offense of being gay."

Cain added, "They're talking about having him fight climate change and the deportation of refugees, and he's dating a hacktivist -- whatever a hactivist is. 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. ... There's real evil in this world today, real corruption and government overreach, plenty of things to fight against. Human trafficking -- real and actual slavery going on. ... It'd be great to tackle those issues."

On Wednesday, the out former Star Trek star wrote on Twitter, "So Dean Cain apparently is upset that the new [Superman] in the comics is bisexual. I used to be upset that Dean Cain was straight but he has definitely cured me of that."

DC Comics' announcement fell on National Coming Out Day.

"I've always said everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes and I'm very grateful DC and Warner Bros. share this idea," series writer Tom Taylor said in a press release. "Superman's symbol has always stood for hope, for truth, and for justice. Today, that symbol represents something more. Today, more people can see themselves in the most powerful superhero in comics."