Black Superheroes

[Big Doze]

Ok, so I was bored at work one day and I figured I'd check out Wikipedia's extensive list of clack superheroes. The results were disheartening, so I figured I'd see how the industry, overall, was doing in terms of representing African-Americans as more than just afro-sporting jokes. The list I made is actually pretty even, although I'm sure there will be disagreement. My opinion:

Badass Black Superheroes
The Anarchist
Ant
Bishop
Black Samson
Blade
Isaiah Bradley
Luke Cage
Black Panther
Cloak
Cyborg
Empress
Falcon
Frozone
Mr. Terrific
Steel
Jakeem Thunder
Josiah X/Justice
Kid Quantum
Manhattan Guardian
Nighthawk
Patriot
Prodigy
Monica Rambeau
Firestorm II
Spawn
Static
Storm
Thunder
Ultimate Nick Fury
XS
John Stewart


Wackass Black Superheroes
Aegis
Amazing Man
Bandit
Battlestar
Black Lightning/Black Vulcan
Black Racer
Blur
Brother Voodoo
Bumblebee
Doorman
Herald/Vox
Goliath
Hot Spot/Joto
Starlight/Steel II
Ladyhawk
Maggott
Night Thrasher
Mister Miracle II
Orpheus
Pantha
Prowler
Rage
Rocket Racer
Skyrocket
Triathalon
Vixen


Discuss

[MastaP]

Black racer wackass? What, a grim reaper who uses skis and ski poles to travel the universe isn't cool? ;)

[fred]

I love Nick Fury, 616 and Ultimate
Bishop is cool
BP is the shit
I like Falcon and Cloak too
I forgot Frozone
Brother Voodoo and Goliath sucked

It's striking how low profile this list is, but not really shocking(sadly)

Edit: I forgot to mention Luke Cage - coolest guy ever

[WatsonGlenn]

What is it that makes the following heroes wack?

Aegis
Amazing Man
Battlestar
Black Lightning/Black Vulcan
Black Racer
Blur
Brother Voodoo
Bumblebee
Goliath
Hot Spot/Joto
Maggott
Night Thrasher
Mister Miracle II
Orpheus
Pantha
Prowler
Rage
Rocket Racer
Skyrocket
Triathalon (Ok this one I get)
Vixen

[paper]

Maggott's digestive system consisted of two enormous sentient slug-like creatures, nicknamed Eany and Meany. Whilst Maggott himself could not eat, his slugs could devour any form of matter with incredible speed. When they finished feeding, they returned to his abdomen and imparted the energy from the matter they absorbed into Maggott’s body. This energy nourished Maggott, temporarily granting him enhanced strength and turning his skin blue. If Maggott was separated from the slugs for an extended period of time, he became extremely weak and risked death.

[MastaP]

Black Vulcan I get, but have you ever read those original black lightning stories? The character was a strong and rounded character and not just the usual blaxploitation you'd expect from comics of the time, in fact i think one of the goals of that book was too play against that.

[MastaP]

Maggott's digestive system consisted of two enormous sentient slug-like creatures, nicknamed Eany and Meany. Whilst Maggott himself could not eat, his slugs could devour any form of matter with incredible speed. When they finished feeding, they returned to his abdomen and imparted the energy from the matter they absorbed into Maggott’s body. This energy nourished Maggott, temporarily granting him enhanced strength and turning his skin blue. If Maggott was separated from the slugs for an extended period of time, he became extremely weak and risked death.

Alot of people think this character is dumb, but my first issue of X-men ever was his origin issue, so I have an irrational affection for the character

[Big Doze]

What is it that makes the following heroes wack?

Aegis
Amazing Man
Battlestar
Black Lightning/Black Vulcan
Black Racer
Blur
Brother Voodoo
Bumblebee
Goliath
Hot Spot/Joto
Maggott
Night Thrasher
Mister Miracle II
Orpheus
Pantha
Prowler
Rage
Rocket Racer
Skyrocket
Triathalon (Ok this one I get)
Vixen

Well, most of them are there for having terrible costumes, no personality, or never being used well in a story. But if you nees some examples...


Aegis (Powered by en enchanted golden chestplate with a piecemail costume)
Amazing Man http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Man
Battlestar
Black Lightning/Black Vulcan: On the fence with this guy. His original incarnation (as a school teacher who goes undercover as a street wise hero) is cool, but until he's used in a story as anything other than a token or a pastiche, he's out
Black Racer: He rides skis with a medevil helmet on. And it's blue.
Blur: Just can't stand the Squadron, and he's drawn with huge teeth!
Brother Voodoo: That "Supernaturals" miniseries from the 90's was cool, but besides that...
Bumblebee: Bumblebee
Goliath: He got a revival just to die
Hot Spot/Joto: Again, hase never done anything cool in the comics he's in
Maggott: Ok, might have to move him. Soft spot for this guy
Night Thrasher: Yeah...
Mister Miracle II: Until he's in a story that makes sense protrayed as anything but a whiny puss, wack he remains
Orpheus: He likes purple. A lot. 'cause he's black, y'see
Pantha: This sista was a real mutha, fo' word
Prowler: See Orpheus
Rage: He'd be up top if not for that tiger mask
Rocket Racer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Racer
Skyrocket
Triathalon (Ok this one I get): Yeah... yeah
Vixen: Never read anything with her in it except the new Justice League, and she's boring me to tears already

As I said, this is totally subjective, so feel free to disagree and offer counter-arguments!

[paper]

Alot of people think this character is dumb, but my first issue of X-men ever was his origin issue, so I have an irrational affection for the character

I can respect that. The concept is definitely outside the box. His bio is harrowing. He really had a rough life.

[WatsonGlenn]

Lets make a pass at the numbers for second.

Most of these heroes are somewhat significant and were created in the last 30 year. It looks like about 50. 20 of them have had their own comic books. From memory I can list 20 or more that you left out and I bet there are far more, for example the Milestone heroes.

So lets say 100 black heroes have been created in the last 30 years. Blacks are about 14% of the population in the USA. That means if 86% (about 600) of the heroes created by DC and Marvel in the last 30 years were White then 100 Black heroes is statistically about right.

The relatively low number of black heroes becomes even more understandable in light of the fact that the percentage of Black comic readers is even smaller than the general population.

[paper]

The relatively low number of black heroes becomes even more understandable in light of the fact that the percentage of Black comic readers is even smaller than the general population.

It's more a question of prominence. Talk about the ratio however you want, more people have heard of Captain America than of Luke Cage.

The percentage of heavily-muscled, spandex-wearing comic book readers is probably pretty small too. No shortage of that group in comics.

[WatsonGlenn]

Aegis (Powered by en enchanted golden chestplate with a piecemail costume) >>>

Whats wrong with that? In fact whats wrong with any of these heroes. Yes they have silly costumes an weird powers. Ever heard of a guy called Spider Man?

Black Racer: He rides skis with a medieval helmet on. And it's blue.

Ever head of the Silver Surfer. He rides a surf board and has no dick. I always thought BR was cool.

Blur: Just can't stand the Squadron, and he's drawn with huge teeth!>.>

Oh please he is not. He is the most moral of the new Squad.

Brother Voodoo: That "Supernaturals" miniseries from the 90's was cool, but besides that...>>>

Besides that what. Who's fault is it the his comic did not sell.

Bumblebee: Bumblebee>>>

I call your bumblebee and raise you Blue Beetle.

Goliath: He got a revival just to die>>>

At least he dies heroically fighting for what he believed in.

Hot Spot/Joto: Again, has never done anything cool in the comics he's in>>>

Well he was a member of the Teen Titans. That's pretty cool.

Night Thrasher: Yeah..???

Yeah what? He is a young smart black hero.

Orpheus: He likes purple. A lot. 'cause he's black, y'see>>>

No I don't see. Black people can't like purple now. Has anyone told Al Sharpton?

Pantha: This sista was a real mutha, fo' word>>>

I don't know what that means.

Vixen: Never read anything with her in it except the new Justice League, and she's boring me to tears already>>>

I like her, in the cartoon especially.

[WatsonGlenn]

It's more a question of prominence. Talk about the ratio however you want, more people have heard of Captain America than of Luke Cage. The percentage of heavily-muscled, spandex-wearing comic book readers is probably pretty small too. No shortage of that group in comics.


Cap was created 60 years ago. So were all the big DC characters. Most of the Big Marvel characters were created at least 40 years ago.

As for prominence Spawn is arguably the best selling comic character of the last 30 years and he is Black.

Storm has been in three movies

Blade has been in three.

Cap has been in none.

My point was that in the last 30 years Black heroes have statistically been given a fair chance and many have succeeded.

[K-Dizzle]

As for prominence Spawn is arguably the best selling comic character of the last 30 years and he is Black.



I agree with that hands down.

[paper]

I agree with that hands down.

Point taken. But I'd argue that Spawn was more of an anti-hero than a superhero. You could say the same for Blade.

I still hold that Storm has never been in a movie.

[K-Dizzle]

I still hold that Storm has never been in a movie. Maybe not a good one anyway.

[Big Doze]

Aegis (Powered by en enchanted golden chestplate with a piecemail costume) >>>

Whats wrong with that? In fact whats wrong with any of these heroes. Yes they have silly costumes an weird powers. Ever heard of a guy called Spider Man?

He just looks ridiculous to me, that's all. Never actually read anything of his.

Black Racer: He rides skis with a medieval helmet on. And it's blue.

Ever head of the Silver Surfer. He rides a surf board and has no dick. I always thought BR was cool.

The Silver Surfer has an excellent established personality, that of a philosophizing explorer filled with wonder and sadness. What's the Racer like? I mean it, I don't know. Also, the Surfer looks way cooler. Don't try to argue, you know it's true.

Blur: Just can't stand the Squadron, and he's drawn with huge teeth!>.>

Oh please he is not. He is the most moral of the new Squad.

I'll take your word for it. He (like everything else in that comic) bored me to tears.

Brother Voodoo: That "Supernaturals" miniseries from the 90's was cool, but besides that...>>>

Besides that what. Who's fault is it the his comic did not sell.

Uh... mine, I guess? I'd love to see this guy get some recognition and a revamp (all too few vodoun based heroes out there), but he's never treated as anything but a throwaway or a joke. I'm with you, get that guy some props!

Bumblebee: Bumblebee>>>

I call your bumblebee and raise you Blue Beetle.

Yeah, but at least his costume was/is cool. I'll see your Blue Beetle and raise you a Yellowjacket and a 90's-era alien Wasp

Goliath: He got a revival just to die>>>

At least he dies heroically fighting for what he believed in.

True, but that doesn't mean that he got any sort of respectful treatment as a character. His funeral was nice, though.

Hot Spot/Joto: Again, has never done anything cool in the comics he's in>>>

Well he was a member of the Teen Titans. That's pretty cool.

Dude, the de-aged Atom was a Titan. That ain't an exclusive organization.

Night Thrasher: Yeah..???

Yeah what? He is a young smart black hero.

"Cower in fear, evil doers, for here thrashes... The Night Thrasher! No night is safe from the thorough thrashing it shall surly recieve at my thrash-inducing hands! Your thrashing will... guys? Where ya goin'? Can I come too...?"

Orpheus: He likes purple. A lot. 'cause he's black, y'see>>>

No I don't see. Black people can't like purple now. Has anyone told Al Sharpton?

No, but someone should. He just strikes me as "Black Hero Prototype #98": Make him a dancer, expose him to the plights of the underprivileged, wrap him in purple and send him to fight Batman.

Pantha: This sista was a real mutha, fo' word>>>

I don't know what that means.

Her name is PanthA! Because black people don't often pronounce their e's and r's, you see. It's all terribly ethnic and we think she'll appeal to the "street" community very nicely.

Vixen: Never read anything with her in it except the new Justice League, and she's boring me to tears already>>>

I like her, in the cartoon especially.

Oh yeah, forgot about the 'toon. She was pretty badass there. But a solid cartoon appearance does not a character make.

Again, it's all just my opinions here. Not trying to offend anybody or anything.

[paper]

Maybe not a good one anyway.

I'm talking quality of character, not film. X2 was a good movie.

[WatsonGlenn]

Point taken. But I'd argue that Spawn was more of an anti-hero than a superhero. You could say the same for Blade.

I still hold that Storm has never been in a movie.

How can you say that. I count three.

[Big Doze]

How can you say that. I count three.

I believe he is refering to Storm as she appears in the comics, i.e. a character with a personality

[WatsonGlenn]

The Silver Surfer has an excellent established personality, that of a philosophizing explorer filled with wonder and sadness. What's the Racer like? I mean it, I don't know. Also, the Surfer looks way cooler. Don't try to argue, you know it's true.>>

SS is older and more popular but the BR is still cool and even the New Gods are afraid of him. I mean even Orion pees in his harness when he sees the Rider coming.

Dude, the de-aged Atom was a Titan. That ain't an exclusive organization.>>>

I can't get it. Too old.

"Cower in fear, evil doers, for here thrashes... The Night Thrasher! No night is safe from the thorough thrashing it shall surly receive at my thrash-inducing hands! Your thrashing will... guys? Where ya goin'? Can I come too...?">>

Oh thrash you man, he was thrasheriffic.

Her name is PanthA! Because black people don't often pronounce their e's and r's, you see. It's all terribly ethnic and we think she'll appeal to the "street" community very nicely. >>

I don't see that at all. I fact I never even thought of her as Black, just hairy.

[paper]

I believe he is refering to Storm as she appears in the comics, i.e. a character with a personality

Correct, sir.

They've been trying to make a wax model of Halle Berry for Madam Tussaud's for years, but haven't quite captured that inanimate quality.

[WatsonGlenn]

Correct, sir.

They've been trying to make a wax model of Halle Berry for Madam Tussaud's for years, but haven't quite captured that inanimate quality.

X-men 1 2 and 3 were good movies. You guys just don't like homo superiors.

I suppose you don't like Eternals, Atlanteans and Inhumans either

Buncha damn racists you are.

[MastaP]

X-men 1 2 and 3 were good movies. You guys just don't like homo superiors.

I suppose you don't like Eternals, Atlanteans and Inhumans either

Buncha damn racists you are.

Movies wern't bad, but Halle Berry's Storm was.

[K-Dizzle]

X-men 1 2 and 3 were good movies. You guys just don't like homo superiors.

I suppose you don't like Eternals, Atlanteans and Inhumans either

Buncha damn racists you are. Atlanteans are good. Eternals are bad. as for Mutants.....Die Muties>>>>>>>>>>>>

[JAFlanagan]

You know who they left off who is one of my favorites?

http://www.actionfig.com/famous-covers/astro3.jpg

Fantastic black superhero. Actually, the diversity in Astro City was always one of the great things about that book. I can't even remember all of Jack's story, but I do remember that he's my favorite hero in the AC world. Feels like it's about time to go revisit those books.

Also, I'm going to defend Battlestar now, at least in concept. When Cap quit once, Battlestar was originally going to be the new Bucky. And eventually, he just said, "**** this!" and demanded a new identity. I always thought that was interesting. Or at least it could have been.

[Big Doze]

You know who they left off who is one of my favorites?

http://www.actionfig.com/famous-covers/astro3.jpg

Fantastic black superhero. Actually, the diversity in Astro City was always one of the great things about that book. I can't even remember all of Jack's story, but I do remember that he's my favorite hero in the AC world. Feels like it's about time to go revisit those books.

Also, I'm going to defend Battlestar now, at least in concept. When Cap quit once, Battlestar was originally going to be the new Bucky. And eventually, he just said, "**** this!" and demanded a new identity. I always thought that was interesting. Or at least it could have been.


Ah Jack! A classic who'll never go out of style. I'm ashamed he wasn't on my list.

As for Battlestar, didn't really know much about him. Read his Wiki entry and saw that he went out like a punk, so I put him on the wack list. I'm open to being proven wrong.

[mister s]

I really love ultimate Nick FUry. In addition, I might put Michonne on this list?

[Mikegraham6]

ever since Bendis took an interest in him, Luke Cage has been the coolest character in the marvel U. His whole attitude is so badass, he doesn't even care about wearing a costume. I love any pics with all the New Avengers. they are all dolled up in their superhero outfits and cage is just standing there in normal street clothes looking intimidating. He was awesome in Alias, awesome in the Civil War NA issue and now he is the leader of the NA. what better representation of African americans can you get in comics? he took over for Cap for godsakes!!!!

[Labor_Days]

Throughout Civil War I kept wonder where Falcon's bird was. Wasn't Falcon's powers tied to his bird?

In any case, I think he's a b-list character at best. Falcon's only purpose is for Cap to yell, "Falcon, get in the air and scout ahead!". He has good eyesight and can fly. Zzzz.

Black Lightning was cool though.

[DrWally]

I'm jealous looking at this list...the comics industry has a better record here than elsewhere. I still have what I call my "camp pile" which mostly all the bad exploitive characters they churned out in the 70s like Black Goliath, etc. Why Black Goliath? Because at the time (late 70s, early 80s), Luke Cage's title was big, and if he was going to have a big showdown with a guy who had super growth powers he had to be...black...to be... in a black book. Dumb.

I was spoiled by (the early) T'Challa, and as I got older, I was always on the lookout for books that had characters that actually looked like the kids that went to the ethnically diverse school I went to, pretty naive to the fact that the comic companies at the time were no where near as diverse.

But, hey, props to those that derserve them -- the one title I got and stayed with and enjoyed from DC was Teen Titans, original George Perez run. Those were some pretty good years, and Cyborg was cool. He was the backbone of that team, so careful what you say about the Titans...

I think a really good thing to do is this: match character from list to-->person who created it or who did a good run with the character. Then I bet the list probably gets waaaaaay short with the same few creators turning out the diverse quality stuff.

[Big Doze]

I think a really good thing to do is this: match character from list to-->person who created it or who did a good run with the character. Then I bet the list probably gets waaaaaay short with the same few creators turning out the diverse quality stuff.

That's a really cool idea, actually. I'll look into researching that. If anybody's interested in helping... yeah, this stuff is interesting to me.

But, hey, props to those that derserve them -- the one title I got and stayed with and enjoyed from DC was Teen Titans, original George Perez run. Those were some pretty good years, and Cyborg was cool. He was the backbone of that team, so careful what you say about the Titans...

Couldn't agree more. Cyborg had to be on the top list because he was one of the first characters (that I ever read, at least) who's identity as a hero wasn't tied into the fact that he's black. He wasn't "The Black Cyborg", and I appreciated that.