Shvaughn Erin

{{short description|DC Comics fictional character}}

{{Infobox comics character

|image=

|caption=

|character_name=Shvaughn Erin

|real_name=

|publisher=DC Comics

|debut=Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #241 (July 1978)

|creators= Paul Levitz
Jim Sherman

|homeworld= Earth (31st century)

|species= Human

|alliances=Science Police

|aliases=Sean Erin

|powers=

}}

Shvaughn Erin is a fictional character in the 30th and 31st centuries of the {{DC Universe}}, appearing primarily as a supporting character in the various Legion of Super-Heroes series. A native of Earth, she is a member of the Science Police, the law enforcement arm of the United Planets. She was one of the first characters in superhero comics to be identified as transgender.{{Cite web |last=Plummer |first=Jessica |date=May 4, 2023 |title=Queer Superhero History: The First Trans Characters in Comics |url=https://bookriot.com/first-trans-characters-in-comics/ |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=BOOK RIOT |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Guharauth |first=Poushali |date=May 29, 2023 |title=20 Trans characters in Marvel & DC universe |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/comics/20-trans-characters-marvel-dc-universe |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en}}

Fictional biography

=Original continuity=

Shvaughn Erin is an officer of the Science Police who helps the Legion of Super-Heroes battle Mordru, the Khunds, and the Dark Circle during the "Earthwar".Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #241-245 (July–November 1978) Afterwards, she becomes the Police's liaison to the Legion and begins a relationship with Element Lad,Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 2) Annual #1 (1982).Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 2) #298-305 (April–November 1983). a character whose sexual orientation had previously been ambiguous, and many readers had interpreted as gay.{{Cite web |last=Finn |first=Charlotte |date=November 24, 2015 |title=Lost in Transition: LSH and the Uneven Footsteps of Progress |url=https://comicsalliance.com/lost-in-transition-legion-of-super-heroes-shvaughn-erin/ |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=ComicsAlliance |language=en}}

="Five Years Later"=

In The Terra Mosaic storyline, Shvaughn breaks up with Element Lad.Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #29 (May 1992). It is revealed that she is a transgender woman and was originally named Sean Erin.{{cite book |last1=Reinhard |first1=Carrielynn |title=Heroes, Heroines, and Everything in Between: Challenging Gender and Sexuality Stereotypes in Children's Entertainment Media |last2=Olson |first2=Christopher |publisher=Lexington Books |year=2017 |isbn=9781498539579 |pages=240}}{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=February 26, 2012 |title=The Abandoned An' Forsaked - Who's That Element Lad's Dating? |url=https://www.cbr.com/the-abandoned-an-forsaked-whos-that-element-lads-dating/ |access-date=November 29, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}{{multiref2|Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #31 (July 1992)|Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #38 (December 1992)|Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #41 (March 1993)

}} Deprived of the medication Profem – which transforms her physical appearance to female – she reverts to presenting as male.

=Post-Zero Hour=

In post-Zero Hour continuity, Shvaughn Erin is again a female Science Police officer. Shrinking Violet, controlled by the Emerald Eye of Ekron, transports Shvaughn and several others to the 20th century before they eventually return home.Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #84-100 (September 1996-January 1998).{{cite web |url=http://www.gayleague.com/gay/characters/display.php?id=139 |title=Element Lad & Shvaughn Erin |access-date=December 22, 2009 |last=Companik |first=Chris |publisher=GayLeague.com (Internet Archive) |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071217093553/http://www.gayleague.com/gay/characters/display.php?id=139 |archive-date = December 17, 2007}}

References