It’s Black History Month in North America and the United Kingdom.
I’m inspired to celebrate some of my favorite African-American superheroes and update fans on their status in their comic book universes.
These fictional characters are not as important as civil rights leaders, boundary breaking athletes, artists or scientists. It’s important to celebrate diversity in comic books. The irony is most these fan-favorite black characters were created by white males but by recognizing these heroes it might inspire new writers and artists of all backgrounds to push for new voices to be heard and give all readers more diversity in comics.
Before I reveal my top 10 I want to say this was tough and I know some of you have your favorites like James Rhodes, Steel aka John Henry Irons, Batwing, Shadowhawk, Spawn or Static (by the late great Dwayne McDuffie) and not to mention non-superhero characters like Michonne and Tyreese of The Walking Dead, but these are the ten characters that I’ve loved and stayed with me.
10 Vixen Mari Jiwe McCabe grew up in remote village in the fictional African country of Zambesi. Mari’s family were holders of a mystical totem but her uncle killed her parents and stolen the totem. Mari moved to America, became an international supermodel, built a fortune and traveled to her homeland to take back her family’s totem and became known as Vixen. With the totem Mari can mimic the abilities of any animal on Earth. Mari was member of the Justice League. In the DC Comics New 52 relaunch Vixen part of Justice League International but was injured. Mari was seen as one of the possible new recruits Cyborg will call on to join the new Justice League. No word on her role in the post-Forever Evil DC Universe.
9. Patriot Elijah Bradley of Young Avengers is the grandson of Isiah Bradley, the first Captain America. (Isiah was among the black men who served as test subjects before the Super Soldier Serum was given to Steve Rogers. This story was told in the series Truth: Red, White & Black.) Eli became a founding member of the Young Avengers. These teen heroes wanted to fight crime and carry on the legacy of the Avengers who had disbanded at the time. I don’t want to give away the secret of Eli’s powers (told in the Young Avengers series) but his is a great story of young man trying to do right and honor his past. Eli is a great leader and strategist in the tradition of Captain America. Due to tragic events in the finale of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, Eli felt tremendous guilt and quit his role as a costumed hero. The most recent Young Avengers series just wrapped up. Eli was not on the team and he’s good rich a character to leave in limbo. Perhaps Patriot will turn up in a new version of the Young Avengers and I’d love to see Eli and his grandfather’s story told in a Captain America sequel.
8. Misty Knight Mercedes “Misty” Knight was a NYPD officer seriously injured in a terrorist attack. Tony Stark gave her a bionic arm giving her super strength. Misty and her best friend, Colleen Wing, formed Knightwing Restorations private detective agency. The duo became recurring characters in the X-Men and Power Man and Iron Fist (her ex-lover) series. Misty has been a member of the Daughters of the Dragon (she’s a skilled martial artist) and led a Heroes for Hire team. Misty has an on-again, off-again romance with Danny Rand aka Iron Fist. Misty and Valkyrie were co-starring in the short-lived series, Fearless Defenders. Iron Fist and Luke Cage are two upcoming Marvel/Netflix series so it’s possible Misty and Colleen will appear in the series.
7. Cyborg After the X-Men my favorite childhood comic book heroes were the Teen Titans and I thought Cyborg was the coolest looking hero. Victor Stone’s genius parents turned their son into a half-machine man in order to save his life after a horrible accident. What I love about Victor was he had issues over his appearance but when he joined the group of outsiders and kindred spirits in the Titans he found friends and learned to cope with his disfigurements In the DC Comics New 52 relaunch Victor became a founding member of the new Justice League. Victor’s cybernetic parts bonded with a sentient computer virus and formed the Grid and betrayed the League. After the Forever Evil event – I hope Victor fights to redeem his good name and help reform the League but my real hope is that DC will have Vic and Nightwing form a new version of Titans.
6. Falcon Sam Wilson was one of the first African-American hero to not have the world “Black” in his code-name. Stan Lee and Gene Colan co-created Wilson as a partner for Captain America (Steve Rogers) but Falcon became a popular Avenger, S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and even starred in his own solo series. Falcon is a member of Jonathan Hickman’s current Avengers series. Anthony Mackie is playing Falcon on the big screen in Captain America: The Winter Soldier coming April 4th – it’s likely the first of many appearances by Mackie as the fan-favorite Avenger.
5. Green Lantern John Stewart is a major recurring hero in the DC Universe. This U.S. Marine veteran was chosen by the Guardians to become protector of the Earth sector when Hal Jordan quit. Stewart starred in his own series and became a member of the Justice League. John was a lead character in the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series. John is currently co-starring in the Green Lantern Corps series. With Warner Brothers building up to a Justice League move (Batman and Wonder Woman will be in the Man of Steel sequel) I think producers should recruit John for the big screen version of the DC super team. There have been rumors -emphasis on RUMORS- of Oscar winner Denzel Washington having a role (he could play Lex Luthor, Martian Manhunter) but he’s be perfect as Stewart.
There are some important African-America comic book characters to note: Amanda Waller (think female Nick Fury) is a tough government operative who ran Suicide Squad (reformed villains on missions for the “good guys”) and was President Lex Luthor’s right hand woman. In the New 52, Waller runs A.R.G.U.S. and recruited the Justice League of America.
Speaking of Fury – when Marvel launched the Ultimate line (imagine a 21st century Marvel universe without decades of continuity) Nick Fury was modeled after Samuel L. Jackson who eventually portrayed him The Avengers, Iron Man and more movies to come. Jackson’s Fury was so popular there’s an African-American Nick Fury, Jr. in the main Marvel comic universe now running Secret Avengers.
Come back tomorrow for the final top 5 characters and a tribute to one of the most important African-American creators who made a big impact on the industry and geek culture.
By Editor