History AmbiguouslyGay / ComicBooks

** Adrian Veidt, of course. [[Film/{{Watchmen}} The movie version]] fits the trope fairly well, the book a bit less so.

* Julia Pennyworth has several lines in ''ComicBook/BatwomanRebirth'' that imply she's attracted to Kate Kane, and one that even implies the two have had sex. Her ''[[Series/Batwoman2019 TV counterpart]]'' is considerably less ambiguous about this; she and Kate are explicitly stated to have had a relationship in the past.

* Julia Pennyworth has several lines in ''ComicBook/BatwomanRebirth'' that imply she's attracted to Kate Kane, and one that even implies the two have had sex.

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'': Some of the Amazons are AmbiguouslyBi; the rest are Ambiguously Gay. Post-Crisis, it is revealed that most residents of Themyscira are the immortal reincarnations of women who were wronged or abused by men and are all (mostly) misandric as a result, giving them a FreudianExcuse for avoiding men.

* ''It's Grim Up North London'': Jez and Quin in the ''PrivateEye'' comic strip. Maybe they're a stereotyped gay couple; maybe they're an equally stereotyped pair of upper-middle-class artistic types, who happen to share a flat.

* [[Comicbook/AllNewWolverine Honey Badger]], Comicbook/{{X 23}}'s clone sister, warns Comicbook/JeanGrey in Comicbook/XMenRed #2 about unexplored feelings she had for a girl she saw on a bus when the latter is creating a psychic link for an upcoming mission. As Gabby is ([[YoungerThanTheyLook biologically, thanks to being rapid-aged]]) thirteen, she's right at the age when children begin to develop their sexual identities, so the ambiguity is as much on ''her'' part as it is the story itself.

* ComicBook/TheJoker of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' fame. Since ComicBook/{{Harley|Quinn}}'s transition from the Franchise/{{DCAU}} into canon comics, the writers have been seemingly trying to tear them apart and made it into a one-sided relationship on her part. Harley & Ivy both think that The Joker [[FoeYay only has eyes for Batman]]. Joker has often professed affection towards Batman (complete with moments of desperate attention-needing) and has made some awkward comments about [[{{Sidekick}} Robin's]] shorts and shaving habits. He seems to have quite a flirtatious love/hate thing for ComicBook/LexLuthor as well. The Joker is also very keen on his appearance and once said he didn't want to see Batman until his nails were finished drying (though the polish was poisonous when the red and green polishes tocuhed). He also took off his pants in front of Onomatopoeia and told him that he "bottoms from the top". As counter-evidence, ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'' showed the not-yet Joker's pregnant wife saying that he was "good in bed", but the entire segment falls into his MultipleChoicePast. In ''Comicbook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth'' Joker slaps Batman on the butt and continually hits on him throughout the comic. The pages are lined with homoerotic content and an unnatural level of sexual tension. (Arkham is non-canon, though its status as one of the iconic Joker portrayals means it can't be discounted because of that.) Various ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' media have run with this. ''Film/{{Batman}}'' (1989) shows that Jack Napier, the man who became the Joker, had more than a casual interest in art and was very keen on his appearance. In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', the Joker disguises himself as a white-skirted nurse to blow up a hospital and, in his last meeting with Batman, looks forward to many future encounters with him and tells him: "You complete me." ''WesternAnimation/BatmanMaskOfThePhantasm'' has him bat his eyelashes when he sees his old mob boss for the first time in years.

* ''Gil Thorp'': Lini Verde, a flashy-dressing ''Series/{{Glee}}'' fan who's also a clinch player for the basketball team. Despite the large number of signs, his sexual orientation hasn't been stated. The storyline involves a website that calls him unpleasant names, but the exact nature of those names is unrevealed (probably a good idea for all sorts of reasons.) When one character suggests wearing pink to support him, she gets the response "This is about bullying, not ... ''[[UnusualEuphemism pinkness]]''!"

* Batman himself borders on Ambiguously Gay or AmbiguouslyBi at times. Some writers make the Batman/Joker FoeYay go ''both ways'' (as if it wasn't disturbing enough) and portray Batman as having some bizarre obsession with the Joker. Frank Miller actually writes Batman as being gay but simply sublimating his sexual urges into crime fighting, which caused Miller to joke "He'd be a lot healthier if he was gay".

* Hannibal King in Marvel Comics ''ComicBook/TheTombOfDracula'' and ''Nightstalkers'' series'. With the exception of his brief but awkward relationship with Tatiana Stiles, all of his other relationships with women have been platonic. His most significant relationship is his {{Bromance}} with ComicBook/{{Blade}}. A lot of his dialogue in ''Nightstalkers'' was camp and over the top. He was also the most [[Wangst Wangsty]] of the Nightstalker trio. He and Blade fight and argue a lot in the Nightstalkers comic, but not in the same way he fought with Frank Drake in ''Tomb''. Unlike Blade and Frank's former contempt for each other, Blade's bickering with Hannibal comes off as BelligerentSexualTension. Even [[ComicBook/GhostRider Johnny Blaze]] notices something when he points out something strange about a vampire hunter and a vampire are hanging out together. He also had a fabulous Victorian style costume. [[spoiler: In the final pages of the Nightstalkers comic when it is thought that he dies fighting Varnae, his last words are: "Frank, Blade...I...love...you]]. The very camp [[Film/BladeTrinity live action depiction]] by Ryan Reynolds must have picked up on something in the comics, or it could have just been Reynolds channeling ''Film/VanWilder''.

* ComicBook/TheJoker of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' fame. Since ComicBook/{{Harley|Quinn}}'s transition from the Franchise/{{DCAU}} into canon comics, the writers have been seemingly trying to tear them apart and made it into a one-sided relationship on her part. Harley & Ivy both think that The Joker [[FoeYay only has eyes for Batman]]. Joker has often professed affection towards Batman (complete with moments of desperate attention-needing) and has made some awkward comments about [[{{Sidekick}} Robin's]] shorts and shaving habits. He seems to have quite a flirtatious love/hate thing for ComicBook/LexLuthor as well. The Joker is also very keen on his appearance and once said he didn't want to see Batman until his nails were finished drying. He also took off his pants in front of Onomatopoeia and told him that he "bottoms from the top". As counter-evidence, ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'' showed the not-yet Joker's pregnant wife saying that he was "good in bed", but the entire segment falls into his MultipleChoicePast. In ''Comicbook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth'' Joker slaps Batman on the butt and continually hits on him throughout the comic. The pages are lined with homoerotic content and an unnatural level of sexual tension. (Arkham is non-canon, though its status as one of the iconic Joker portrayals means it can't be discounted because of that.) Various ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' media have run with this. ''Film/{{Batman}}'' (1989) shows that Jack Napier, the man who became the Joker, had more than a casual interest in art and was very keen on his appearance. In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', the Joker disguises himself as a white-skirted nurse to blow up a hospital and, in his last meeting with Batman, looks forward to many future encounters with him and tells him: "You complete me." ''WesternAnimation/BatmanMaskOfThePhantasm'' has him bat his eyelashes when he sees his old mob boss for the first time in years.

* Jughead Jones from ''Franchise/ArchieComics'' specifically from the classics (not related to Ace Jughead in the 2015 reboot) has been viewed as this for decades.

* Hannibal King in Marvel Comics ''ComicBook/TheTombOfDracula'' and ''Nightstalkers'' series'. With the exception of his brief but awkward relationship with Tatiana Stiles, all of his other relationships with women have been platonic. His most significant relationship is his {{Bromance}} with {{Blade}}. A lot of his dialogue in ''Nightstalkers'' was camp and over the top. He was also the most [[Wangst Wangsty]] of the Nightstalker trio. He and Blade fight and argue a lot in the Nightstalkers comic, but not in the same way he fought with Frank Drake in ''Tomb''. Unlike Blade and Frank's former contempt for each other, Blade's bickering with Hannibal comes off as BelligerentSexualTension. Even [[ComicBook/GhostRider Johnny Blaze]] notices something when he points out something strange about a vampire hunter and a vampire are hanging out together. He also had a fabulous Victorian style costume. [[spoiler: In the final pages of the Nightstalkers comic when it is thought that he dies fighting Varnae, his last words are: "Frank, Blade...I...love...you]]. The very camp [[BladeTrinity live action depiction]] by Ryan Reynolds must have picked up on something in the comics, or it could have just been Reynolds channeling ''VanWilder''.

* Jughead Jones in the old school ''Franchise/ArchieComics'' is viewed as this by nearly everyone who has seen those comics. In the old days of the comic code homosexuality could not be presented, especially to a younger audience. So the writers got it as close as they could by having him not be attracted by girls, presenting him in a slightly flamboyant way in certain issues, and if you look hard enough comics do exist with him sort of flirting with Reggie.

* Jughead Jones in the old school ''Franchise/ArchieComics'' is viewed as this by nearly everyone who has seen those comics. In the old days of the comic code homosexuality could not be presented, especially to a younger audience. So the writers got it as close as they could by having him not be attracted by girls. They also have him be presented in a slightly flamboyant way in certain issues and if you look hard enough comics exist with him vaguely flirting with Reggie.

* SelfDemonstrating/TheJoker of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' fame. Since ComicBook/{{Harley|Quinn}}'s transition from the Franchise/{{DCAU}} into canon comics, the writers have been seemingly trying to tear them apart and made it into a one-sided relationship on her part. Harley & Ivy both think that The Joker [[FoeYay only has eyes for Batman]]. Joker has often professed affection towards Batman (complete with moments of desperate attention-needing) and has made some awkward comments about [[{{Sidekick}} Robin's]] shorts and shaving habits. He seems to have quite a flirtatious love/hate thing for ComicBook/LexLuthor as well. The Joker is also very keen on his appearance and once said he didn't want to see Batman until his nails were finished drying. He also took off his pants in front of Onomatopoeia and told him that he "bottoms from the top". As counter-evidence, ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'' showed the not-yet Joker's pregnant wife saying that he was "good in bed", but the entire segment falls into his MultipleChoicePast. In ''Comicbook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth'' Joker slaps Batman on the butt and continually hits on him throughout the comic. The pages are lined with homoerotic content and an unnatural level of sexual tension. (Arkham is non-canon, though its status as one of the iconic Joker portrayals means it can't be discounted because of that.) Various ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' media have run with this. ''Film/{{Batman}}'' (1989) shows that Jack Napier, the man who became the Joker, had more than a casual interest in art and was very keen on his appearance. In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', the Joker disguises himself as a white-skirted nurse to blow up a hospital and, in his last meeting with Batman, looks forward to many future encounters with him and tells him: "You complete me." ''WesternAnimation/BatmanMaskOfThePhantasm'' has him bat his eyelashes when he sees his old mob boss for the first time in years.

* SelfDemonstrating/TheJoker of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' fame. Since ComicBook/Harley|Quinn's transition from the Franchise/{{DCAU}} into canon comics, the writers have been seemingly trying to tear them apart and made it into a one-sided relationship on her part. Harley & Ivy both think that The Joker [[FoeYay only has eyes for Batman]]. Joker has often professed affection towards Batman (complete with moments of desperate attention-needing) and has made some awkward comments about [[{{Sidekick}} Robin's]] shorts and shaving habits. He seems to have quite a flirtatious love/hate thing for ComicBook/LexLuthor as well. The Joker is also very keen on his appearance and once said he didn't want to see Batman until his nails were finished drying. He also took off his pants in front of Onomatopoeia and told him that he "bottoms from the top". As counter-evidence, ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'' showed the not-yet Joker's pregnant wife saying that he was "good in bed", but the entire segment falls into his MultipleChoicePast. In ''Comicbook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth'' Joker slaps Batman on the butt and continually hits on him throughout the comic. The pages are lined with homoerotic content and an unnatural level of sexual tension. (Arkham is non-canon, though its status as one of the iconic Joker portrayals means it can't be discounted because of that.) Various ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' media have run with this. ''Film/{{Batman}}'' (1989) shows that Jack Napier, the man who became the Joker, had more than a casual interest in art and was very keen on his appearance. In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', the Joker disguises himself as a white-skirted nurse to blow up a hospital and, in his last meeting with Batman, looks forward to many future encounters with him and tells him: "You complete me." ''WesternAnimation/BatmanMaskOfThePhantasm'' has him bat his eyelashes when he sees his old mob boss for the first time in years.

%% Jughead from ''ArchieComics'' was formerly listed here, but the suggestion was refuted by a MOUNTAIN of

* SelfDemonstrating/TheJoker of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' fame. Since Harley's transition from the Franchise/{{DCAU}} into canon comics, the writers have been seemingly trying to tear them apart and made it into a one-sided relationship on her part. Harley & Ivy both think that The Joker [[FoeYay only has eyes for Batman]]. Joker has often professed affection towards Batman (complete with moments of desperate attention-needing) and has made some awkward comments about [[{{Sidekick}} Robin's]] shorts and shaving habits. He seems to have quite a flirtatious love/hate thing for ComicBook/LexLuthor as well. The Joker is also very keen on his appearance and once said he didn't want to see Batman until his nails were finished drying. He also took off his pants in front of Onomatopoeia and told him that he "bottoms from the top". As counter-evidence, ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'' showed the not-yet Joker's pregnant wife saying that he was "good in bed", but the entire segment falls into his MultipleChoicePast. In ''Comicbook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth'' Joker slaps Batman on the butt and continually hits on him throughout the comic. The pages are lined with homoerotic content and an unnatural level of sexual tension. (Arkham is non-canon, though its status as one of the iconic Joker portrayals means it can't be discounted because of that.)
** Various ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' media have run with this. ''Film/{{Batman}}'' (1989) shows that Jack Napier, the man who became the Joker, had more than a casual interest in art and was very keen on his appearance. In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', the Joker disguises himself as a white-skirted nurse to blow up a hospital and, in his last meeting with Batman, looks forward to many future encounters with him and tells him: "You complete me." ''WesternAnimation/BatmanMaskOfThePhantasm'' has him bat his eyelashes when he sees his old mob boss for the first time in years.
** Batman himself borders on Ambiguously Gay or Bi at times. Some writers make the Batman/Joker FoeYay go ''both ways'' (as if it wasn't disturbing enough) and portray Batman as having some bizarre obsession with the Joker. Frank Miller actually writes Batman as being gay but simply sublimating his sexual urges into crime fighting, which caused Miller to joke "He'd be a lot healthier if he was gay".

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'': Some of the Amazons are AmbiguouslyBi; the rest are Ambiguously Gay.
** Post-crisis, it is revealed that most residents of Themyscira are the immortal reincarnations of women who were wronged or abused by men and are all (mostly) misandric as a result, giving them a FreudianExcuse for avoiding men.

* ''Gil Thorp'': Lini Verde, a flashy-dressing ''Series/{{Glee}}'' fan who's also a clinch player for the basketball team. Despite the large number of signs, his sexual orientation hasn't been stated. The storyline involves a website that calls him unpleasant names, but the exact nature of those names is unrevealed (probably a good idea for all sorts of reasons). When one character suggests wearing pink to support him, she gets the response "This is about bullying, not ... ''[[UnusualEuphemism pinkness]]''!"

* The Creator/MarvelComics supervillain Man-Killer from ''Thunderbolts'' was... actually not that ambiguous, but the comics spent years not actually stating it directly. Aside from her name, her stereotypically butch appearance, and her firm rejection of any men who showed any interest in her, there's this little exchange from when she decided to try being a good guy.

* An intentional use of this trope is in Creator/AlanMoore's ''ComicBook/{{Providence}}'', showing how this trope was used in the era of the Closet. Robert Black, Whenever he meets another man he suspects to be gay, uses contemporary slang and oblique references to suss out the other's preference, such as the wearing of a green tie. Though the minute he sees Tom Malone, he comes close to giving himself away. Dr North heavily implies his sexuality when flirting with Black, recognising him as a man "familiar with Greenwich".

** Most likely [[DepravedBisexual Depraved]] [[AmbiguouslyBi Ambiguously]] AnythingThatMoves

* SelfDemonstrating/TheJoker of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' fame. Since Harley's transition from the Franchise/{{DCAU}} into canon comics, the writers have been seemingly trying to tear them apart and made it into a one-sided relationship on her part. Harley & Ivy both think that The Joker [[FoeYay only has eyes for Batman]]. Joker has often professed affection towards Batman (complete with moments of desperate attention-needing) and has made some awkward comments about [[{{Sidekick}} Robin's]] shorts and shaving habits. He seems to have quite a flirtatious love/hate thing for SelfDemonstrating/LexLuthor as well. The Joker is also very keen on his appearance and once said he didn't want to see Batman until his nails were finished drying. He also took off his pants in front of Onomatopoeia and told him that he "bottoms from the top". As counter-evidence, ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'' showed the not-yet Joker's pregnant wife saying that he was "good in bed", but the entire segment falls into his MultipleChoicePast. In ''Comicbook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth'' Joker slaps Batman on the butt and continually hits on him throughout the comic. The pages are lined with homoerotic content and an unnatural level of sexual tension. (Arkham is non-canon, though its status as one of the iconic Joker portrayals means it can't be discounted because of that.)