Madame Xanadu
Gender: Female
Orientation: Bisexual
Publisher: DC
Character Type: Primary
Alignment: Good
AKA: Nimue Inwudu
Summary: An ageless, bisexual sorceress named Nimue Inwudu, Madame Xanadu was first introduced to the DC Universe in 1978. However, her sexual orientation was not revealed until 30 years later, in Matt Wagner's stand-alone series, Madame Xanadu (2008). Although Nimue regularly makes cameos in the DC universe, crossing paths with heroes such as John Constantine and Wonder Woman, her sexuality has not been further developed since the Wagner series ended.
Database Links: Wikipedia, DC Wki, Comic Vine
Important Issues: Matt Wagner reveals that Nimue is bisexual in Madame Xanadu #11. Set in 1493, the comic tells the story of Madame Xanadu's relationship with a seamstress named Marisol.
Besides everything else that is awesome about her, Madame Xanadu is one of DC’s few bisexual characters. Although seldom seen in practice, there was a flashback story to the time of the Spanish Inquisition in which she was involved and in love with another woman, who ultimately suffered for her association with the witchy and therefore blasphemous Xanadu. Centuries later, Xanadu is shown to long for and weep with remorse for her lost love, recalling that it was one of the few times in her incredibly long life that she was truly happy. Although the focus of Xanadu’s stories is very seldom her relationships, she still deserves to be recognized as a member of DC’s LGBTQIA family. (Read more)
Sara Century, "Who is Madame Xanadu?" Syfy Wire, December 27, 2018.
When we first see Xanadu in Spain it is with a red-haired woman named Marisol as they’re witnessing an auto de fé, the part of public procession of the condemned among the townspeople, partially intended to instill fear. Xanadu reacts with horror while Marisol has little reaction to it. They part to do errands, their hands lingering a moment longer. After Marisol has an unsettling encounter with Torquemada himself, she rushes back home where the two women kiss. Unknown by the pair, two boys witness the embrace while spying on them, ensuring they come under the Inquisition’s wary eye. On several occasions Marisol also refers to Xanadu as “novia”, Spanish for girlfriend. (Read more)
Joe Palmer, "Madame Xanadu," The Gay League, November 11, 2009.