‘‘Gay’’ Sidekicks: Queer Anxiety and the Narrative Straightening of the Superhero

Abstract

In comic book and movie narratives that are dominated by figures of heroic masculinity, the male superhero sidekick is typically a sexually ambiguous character who performs alternative modes of masculinity. This article argues that these alternative masculinities serve primarily to obscure the anxiety that is endemic to the superhero’s own problematic identity and sexuality, effectively ‘‘straightening’’ the central narrative and preserving the superhero as a beacon of heteronormativity by projecting queer desire or fear entirely on to the ‘‘gay’’ sidekick. Ironically, the seemingly straightened primary narrative—and hero—remains beholden to the same ‘‘gay’’ sidekick that it marginalizes. The efficacy of these sidekicks is further discussed and detailed with specific reference to the popular superhero sidekicks Robin (sidekick to Batman) and Jimmy Olsen (sidekick to Superman).