DC Comics writer Greg Rucka has confirmed that iconic superhero Wonder Woman is canonically queer.
In an interview with Comicosity that looks at queer representation in comic books, Rucka confirmed the character of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman has been in love and had relationships with other women.
Rucka and artist Nicola Scott are behind a new origin series for the DC Comics superhero called Year One, in which Wonder Woman leaves her home island of Themyscira, which is populated entirely by Amazonian women.
In the interview, Rucka said the concept of sexuality was practically non-existent on Themyscira, but that Diana Prince had "obviously" had relationships with women.
"When you start to think about giving the concept of Themyscira its due, the answer is, 'How can they not all be in same-sex relationships?' Right? It makes no logical sense otherwise.
"It's supposed to be paradise. You're supposed to be able, in a context where one can live happily, and part of what an individual needs for that happiness is to have a partner to have a fulfilling, romantic and sexual relationship. And the only options are women.
"But an Amazon doesn't look at another Amazon and say, 'You're gay.' They don't. The concept doesn't exist.
"Now, are we saying Diana has been in love and had relationships with other women? As Nicola and I approach it, the answer is obviously yes," he said.
Rucka said without acknowledging Wonder Woman's sexuality, her character arc is primarily motivated by her relationship with a man, which "diminishes her heroism".
DC has not commented on whether Wonder Woman will be queer in the 2017 film of the same name, in which she is portrayed by Israeli actress Gal Gadot.
Marvel and DC films have yet to feature an openly queer character, despite many being written into the comics.
Both studios' TV universes have featured queer characters in shows, such as Jessica Jones, Arrow and The Flash.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige promised a queer character would make it to a film in the next decade, and Civil War directors Joe and Anthony Russo said the same in an interview with Collider.
Both cinematic universes are beginning to diversify; Marvel Studios has confirmed the female-led Captain Marvel will arrive in 2019, while 2018's Black Panther will be its first film led by a person of colour.
As well as Wonder Woman, DC Comics have confirmed a solo Harley Quinn film is in the works.
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