Will NBC Acknowledge Constantine’s Bisexuality?

The official trailer for NBC’s upcoming TV show Constantine has been released, sending fans into a tizzy.  Reactions have ranged on the mostly positive side, with a few exceptions.  You can’t please everyone after all.  However expectations are high for the upcoming TV show that appears to stay true to the original comic.

Based on DC Comic’s Hellblazer, the trailer showcases the same supernaturally dark world of the original comic.  More importantly, it appears to nail the character of Constantine himself.  Unlike the 2005 film starring Keanu Reeves that disappointed loyal fans and critics alike.

With the release of the official trailer, Constantine fans have begun speculating; filling up fan boards with theories and possible storylines the show could adapt from Hellblazer.  Some fans are hopeful that a particular aspect of the comics will be included in the show.

Constantine’s bisexuality.

Constantine’s bisexuality has been acknowledged on and off during Hellblazer’s decades long run.  Mainly during Brian Azzarello’s stint, though there have been other mentions and instances where Constantine has been involved with men.

In Hellblazer #51 Constantine makes a comment about having previous girlfriends and boyfriends.  In the story arc “Ashes and Dust in the City of Angels“ he seduces a man for a con.  He’s dealt with gay bashers in both Hellblazer, and Swamp Thing, and earned second place on The Backlot’s “Ten Best Gay and Bisexual Science Fiction Characters“ list.

Though former editors of the Hellblazer series, Shelly Bond and Gregory Lockard, were asked directly about Constantine’s bisexuality, the answer given was vague at best.

This has led to the debate now being held by fans due to the reality of the shows’ premiere.  Some fans and even news outlets are hoping the show will acknowledge Constantine’s bisexuality.  While others are denying it’s existence all together or claiming that it’s non-canon, and therefore shouldn’t be included in the show.

As of right now, it has yet to be seen whether the show will make any effort to recognize Constantine’s bisexuality.  With the show a good few months away the debate will undoubtedly continue.

This begs the question: given that Hellblazer has made various references to Constantine’s bisexuality–whether some fans agree or not–shouldn’t the show include that aspect of his character?  Would a bisexual Constantine really be so bad?

GLAAD’s report on diversity representation for the year of 2012-2013 found that only 4.4% of the characters on TV identified as LGBT.  Given that the science fiction, supernatural, and superhero genres have grown incredibly popular in the last few years, fans are wondering when they’ll will catch up with the times.  As it’s especially rare to see a LGBT character inhabiting any of those genres, even if they identify as LGBT in adapted material.

NBC has a golden opportunity in the form of Constantine, one we’ll have to wait and see if the minds behind the curtain take.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPE2oBnzROY