Time to continue our Black History Month inspired celebration of the African-America comic book heroes who I feel make an impact. Once again, let me say that fictional characters are not as important as real civil rights leaders, artists, scientists and leaders in other fields but I do think it’s important to highlight these characters. By spotlighting these breakthrough comic book heroes it might inspire future writers and artists.
5. Spider-Man Miles Morales became a media sensation when Marvel revealed the new Ultimate Spider-Man was of African-American and Latino descent. Like Peter Parker, Miles is a science nerd bitten by a radioactive spider but his powers are slightly different. When the Peter Parker of his universe died a hero Miles stepped up to become a new champion. Miles met the Peter Parker of “our” Marvel Universe in the crossover smash, Spider-Men. Marvel announced Miles will star in two upcoming series: Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man and All-New Ultimates which will include Cloak & Dagger.
4. Blade Before X-Men and Spider-Man it was Blade that relaunched the modern Marvel Comics movie dynasty! Wesley Snipes brought the badass, burdened vampire hunter to the big screen. Legendary Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan created Eric Brooks as a supporting character in Tomb of Dracula but Blade soon starred in the Nightstalkers and his own series. Blade allied with the X-Men in a fight with the heirs of Dracula. Snipes would be hard to beat but I hope the Blade movie franchise gets resurrected!
3. Black Panther T’Challa was the first black superhero in mainstream American comics. Legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created T’Challa as an ally of the Fantastic Four. T’Challa became an Avenger and later King of his African homeland, Wakanda. He’s an expert fighter, scientific genius, and feared leader. Black Panther is the central character in Jonathan Hickman’s relaunched New Avengers series. T’Challa recruited Marvel’s biggest brains to fight a cosmic threat to the entire Marvel Universe. With T’Challa back in the Avengers comic books I’m hoping he could be joining Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in an Avengers sequel. (Idris Elba, please!) Power runs in the family – T’Challa’s sister proved she was a major world player in the Wakanda/Atlantis conflict during New Avengers. Queen Shuri is a character to watch.
2. Luke Cage Power Man (his real name is Carl Lucas) was a creation of the 1970’s blaxploitation era. A kid from the mean streets went to prison for a crime didn’t commit then an accident gave him impervious skin and super strength. Power Man and Iron Fist were the heroes for hire in the 70’s then off and in various attempts to restart the series. Brian Michael Bendis made Luke the romantic leading man of action for private eye Jessica Jones in Alias and later Captain America recruited him for the New Avengers. During Bendis’s 8 year run he made Luke and Jessica my favorite Marvel super couple. Luke recently left the Avengers to devote more time to being a husband and dad but hinted as restarting Heroes for Hire. When the Avengers went into deep space during the Infinity event – Luke answered the call for help when Thanos invaded Earth. Luke is now leading a Mighty Avengers series and mentors the next generation Power Man. Luke Cage and Jessica Jones are two upcoming series being developed by Marvel and Netflix. Mighty Avengers includes fan-favorite hero Monica Rambeau, the former Captain Marvel now goes by the code-name Spectrum.
1. Storm Mutant. X-Man. Avenger. Queen. Goddess. I fell in love with Ororo Munroe when I first fell in love with comic books. Uncanny X-Men #116 was my very first book and I was mesmerized by the beautiful, powerful windrider. Ororo was the daughter of African-Americans but through a series of tragedies ended up on the plains of Kenya when Professor X recruited her for the X-Men. Sometimes I don’t think we realize how significant it was in the 1980’s when an African-American woman became the leader of the most popular group of super heroes on the planet. Even when Storm lost her powers she defeated Cyclops for leadership of the X-Men. In the 21st century Ororo was reunited with her lost love, T’Challa. Storm and the Black Panther became THE Marvel power couple even replacing Reed and Sue in the Fantastic Four. Storm was recruited to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Ororo and T’Challa have separated after the events of Avengers vs. X-Men. Storm is now teaching at the Jean Grey School in Wolverine and the X-Men when she decide to revisit her wild side. The mohawk is back and Ororo starred Uncanny X-Force and now leads the all-female X-Men series. Halle Berry is reprising her role as Storm in the upcoming X-Men: Day of Future Past movie.
There’s been a boom of African-American characters in recent years – here are some cool new heroes to watch and cult classics poised for a comeback.
Captain Universe (Tamara Devoux) and Nightmask (New Adam) of Avengers. Jonathan Hickman made his mission to make Earth’s Mightiest Heroes bigger and more diverse. Tamara and Nightmask were crucial in the Avengers battle against the Builders in Infinity.
Sun Girl of the upcoming New Warriors relaunch.
Deathlok, the cyborg hero is a teacher at the Jean Grey School and it was revealed the hero played by J. August Richards on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will become Deathlok.
Blue Marvel was created by Kevin Grevioux and now serves with Cage in the Mighty Avengers.
Any of your favorite heroes past or present I missed. Thanks for reading.
By Editor