I have just finished reading Batwing #1 and was both pleased and excited by this new title. This series is going to be an enjoyable read for quite some time and definitely not to be skipped over as just another Batman book. Basically, Batwing is a new Black super hero from the DCU based in Africa. Even better, he is part of Batman Incorporated and the Batman of Africa. It drools awesomeness, but not for kids unfortunately. DC has also introduced a new Teen Titan in the recently finished Brightest Day series and in the Young Justice cartoon/comic book. That character is the son of an Aquaman villain Black Manta (though he is a good guy) by the name of Jackson or Aqualad. In the Marvel Ultimate Universe Peter Parker has made the ultimate sacrifice and been replaced by a new Ultimate Spider-Man A.K.A Miles Morales, who is Black/Hispanic. This got me thinking. There are not many Black characters in any comic universe. It's mostly a bunch of anglo-saxon guys running around in their underwear. Where are the Black men and women running around in their underwear? Every community needs heroes to look up to and hopefully this is about to change for the Black community. In Batwing, Aqualad and Spider-man, we have vanguards for a new generation of Black super heroes and fans. With all the creativity comics have to offer, it's about time! With that said, let's look at the best Black heroes in comics ever!
01. STORM, A.K.A Ororo Munroe - X-Men/Fantastic Four, 1st appearance Giant Size X-Men #1 1975.
02. GREEN LANTERN, A.K.A John Stewart - Green Lantern Corps/JLA, 1st appearance Green Lantern #87 1971.
03. BLACK PANTHER, A.K.A T'Challa - Avengers/Fantastic Four, 1st appearance Fantastic Four #52 1966.
04. LUKE CAGE/POWER MAN, A.K.A Carl Lucas - Avengers/Defenders/Heroes for Hire, Hero for Hire #1 1972.
05. MISTER TERRIFIC II, A.K.A Michael Holt - Justice Society of America/Checkmate/Gay Rights Activist, 1st appearance Spectre #54 1997.
06. NICK FURY (Ultimate), A.K.A General Nick Fury - Ultimates/S.H.I.E.L.D, 1st appearance Ultimates #1 2008. Marvel used the likeness of Samuel L. without permission, but he loved it and this is the Nick Fury you see in the Avengers related movies played by Mr. Jackson.
07. STEEL, A.K.A John Henry Irons- replaced Superman for awhile/JLA, 1st appearance Adventures of Superman #500 1993.
08. WAR MACHINE/IRON MAN, A.K.A James Rhodes - Avengers/United States Military, 1st appearance as Iron Man 1983.
09. CYBORG, A.K.A Vic Stone - Teen Titans/JLA, 1st appearance DC Comics presents #26 1980.
10. FALCON, A.K.A Sam Wilson - Avengers/Heroes for Hire, 1st appearance Captain America #117 1969.
These characters represent positive role models. So, that is why Spawn (servant of the devil) and Blade (blood thirsty vampire hunter) do not appear. Both guys are great characters, but terrible role models for what they do. Otherwise they would be in there somewhere. The one type of character that was very hard to research unfortunately, was the Black female super hero. I came across the Amazon Phillipus from Wonder Woman and the 1st Slayer from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but they hardly contribute anything to comics. If anyone out there is aware of some pivotal female characters I might have over looked please comment. I would have liked to include more of the ladies. Hopefully that will change down the road. However, Storm is the greatest Black super hero EVER, because of her nobility, strength, resourcefulness and hey, she was the leader of arguably the greatest team of super people in comics for decades. Plus, she is now married to T'Challa, who is one of the smartest people in the entire Marvel U and King of Wakanda. An African Goddess and her King. What a great pair of the best role models ANY comic fan could have.
01. STORM, A.K.A Ororo Munroe - X-Men/Fantastic Four, 1st appearance Giant Size X-Men #1 1975.
02. GREEN LANTERN, A.K.A John Stewart - Green Lantern Corps/JLA, 1st appearance Green Lantern #87 1971.
03. BLACK PANTHER, A.K.A T'Challa - Avengers/Fantastic Four, 1st appearance Fantastic Four #52 1966.
04. LUKE CAGE/POWER MAN, A.K.A Carl Lucas - Avengers/Defenders/Heroes for Hire, Hero for Hire #1 1972.
05. MISTER TERRIFIC II, A.K.A Michael Holt - Justice Society of America/Checkmate/Gay Rights Activist, 1st appearance Spectre #54 1997.
06. NICK FURY (Ultimate), A.K.A General Nick Fury - Ultimates/S.H.I.E.L.D, 1st appearance Ultimates #1 2008. Marvel used the likeness of Samuel L. without permission, but he loved it and this is the Nick Fury you see in the Avengers related movies played by Mr. Jackson.
07. STEEL, A.K.A John Henry Irons- replaced Superman for awhile/JLA, 1st appearance Adventures of Superman #500 1993.
08. WAR MACHINE/IRON MAN, A.K.A James Rhodes - Avengers/United States Military, 1st appearance as Iron Man 1983.
09. CYBORG, A.K.A Vic Stone - Teen Titans/JLA, 1st appearance DC Comics presents #26 1980.
10. FALCON, A.K.A Sam Wilson - Avengers/Heroes for Hire, 1st appearance Captain America #117 1969.
These characters represent positive role models. So, that is why Spawn (servant of the devil) and Blade (blood thirsty vampire hunter) do not appear. Both guys are great characters, but terrible role models for what they do. Otherwise they would be in there somewhere. The one type of character that was very hard to research unfortunately, was the Black female super hero. I came across the Amazon Phillipus from Wonder Woman and the 1st Slayer from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but they hardly contribute anything to comics. If anyone out there is aware of some pivotal female characters I might have over looked please comment. I would have liked to include more of the ladies. Hopefully that will change down the road. However, Storm is the greatest Black super hero EVER, because of her nobility, strength, resourcefulness and hey, she was the leader of arguably the greatest team of super people in comics for decades. Plus, she is now married to T'Challa, who is one of the smartest people in the entire Marvel U and King of Wakanda. An African Goddess and her King. What a great pair of the best role models ANY comic fan could have.
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