Hello everyone and welcome to a new list. As most of you know there has been a huge push for diversity in media. Especially in the world of superheroes. By now it's a well known fact that most superheroes are white, but thankfully as time went on there have been more superheroes of color introduced and have made their names known. And as a long time comic book reader I can say from experience that the excitement felt from seeing heroes that look like you is one of the most dynamic emotions one can experience. So for Black History Month we are going to honor the brothers and sisters that use their amazing gifts to fight for truth and justice. So without further ado, here are my top five favorite black superheroes.
5. Cyborg
Starting off this list is the perfect blend between man and machine, Cyborg. Victor Stone was originally a high school football star who was at the top of his class and had scholarships coming at him in every direction. Unfortunately he always had a strained relationship with his father. Things took a turn for the worst when Victor was almost killed in an explosion. Desperate to save his son, Victor's father used alien technology to save his life, thus transforming Victor into the digital tank that he is today.
5. Cyborg
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| "BOOYAH!" |
Now before I even started reading comics, my initial introduction to Victor was through the 2003 Teen Titans animated series, where he was one of my two favorite characters (the other being Starfire). Cyborg is basically a guy that loves life, and though at times he is sad about what happened to him and he questions on whether he is a man or machine, he never lets that get him down for long because he is grateful that he received a second chance to live and now has the purpose to fight for the high ideals of truth and justice.
I think one thing that I've always admired about Cyborg is that not only is he the tank of the team but he also has genius level intellect, even before he got his powers. This is amazing because he's a counter to the classic "dumb jock" stereotype, which is extremely outdated and untrue because any student athlete will tell you that if your grades aren't high enough, you can pretty much forget about playing on the team. Another thing that makes Cyborg amazing is his powerset. Now he was never somebody to be taken lightly, but when his origin was revamped for the New 52 back in 2011, he got a significant buff. Now that he has technology from Apokolips inside of him Cyborg can now do the following things:
4. Storm
Coming in at number four we have a lady who is not only one of the most iconic members of the X-Men but THE most iconic black female superhero period. Ororo Munroe, a.k.a. Storm. Hailing from Kenya, Storm has not had an easy life, when she was a child a plane crashed into her home, killing her parents and leaving her as the sole survivor trapped under rubble, leading to her having a severe case of claustrophobia that she still suffers from to this very day. As time went on, she was eventually found by Professor Charles Xavier, and soon found a new family with the X-Men.
I think one thing that I've always admired about Cyborg is that not only is he the tank of the team but he also has genius level intellect, even before he got his powers. This is amazing because he's a counter to the classic "dumb jock" stereotype, which is extremely outdated and untrue because any student athlete will tell you that if your grades aren't high enough, you can pretty much forget about playing on the team. Another thing that makes Cyborg amazing is his powerset. Now he was never somebody to be taken lightly, but when his origin was revamped for the New 52 back in 2011, he got a significant buff. Now that he has technology from Apokolips inside of him Cyborg can now do the following things:
- Be connected with every computer on earth. And yes this includes, smart phones, tablets, and government computers. Meaning that you can't hide any info from this guy. At all.
- Take control of any mechanical device on earth.
- Teleport anywhere on earth, or in the universe via Boom Tubes
- As of David Walker's run, he can now turn back into his human form at will.
And much, much more. While I do admit, I was disappointed at first that DC was slow to give Cyborg some proper character development during the first couple of years of the New 52. But now that he has an ongoing in DC rebirth and has significant showings in media such as Justice League Action and the upcoming Justice League film, the future is looking bright for good ol Victor Stone.
4. Storm
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| "You now face Storm of the X-Men" |
Storm has been known by many titles throughout her history in the Marvel Universe, a leader, a literal force of nature, a queen, and a goddess. But the one thing I have always loved about Storm is her compassion and how she always tries to look for another way. I mean this is a woman that can summon F-5 Tornadoes and Blizzards by just thinking, but instead of just going in guns blazing, she always tries to talk and reason with her opponents first. Like I said, she had it rough in her early years so she knows first hand that violence isn't always the answer. But when push comes to shove, she will show you exactly why she is called "Storm". Another thing I like about her is how motherly she is towards some of the younger X-Men. Especially Kitty Pryde. Usually putting the needs of others before your own is a standard part of being a superhero but in my eyes, Storm embodies this quality the best. No matter what crap the world throws at her, she always thinks about the best interests of those she cares about and the world at large even if said world despises mutants. Combine that with the fact the she is strong enough to go toe to toe with some of the biggest threats in the Marvel Universe and you have somebody who rightfully earns her place on this list.
3. John Stewart
At number three we have one of the Emerald Guardians of the cosmos, John Stewart. John was initially part of the U.S. Marines, who was later sent a Green Lantern ring from the guardians because of his unbreakable will power in addition to providing backup to Hal Jordan on earth.
While John has the honor of being DC's first black superhero, he initially didn't have that great of a first impression due to the fact that upon his introduction in the comics, he was written as a one dimensional "Angry Black Man" stereotype. However this all changed in the early 2000's when Bruce Timm chose John to be the Green Lantern of the Justice League animated series. And thanks to the quality storytelling by the DC animated team along with a stellar vocal performance by Phil Llamar, John became the definitive Green Lantern to an entire generation of people.
What I love the most about John Stewart is how disciplined he is. Thanks to his military background, he takes his job dead seriously. And because of that dedication, he probably has the strongest will of any green lantern. No seriously, did you know that there was one time in the comics where he exhibited so much will power that his ring couldn't handle it? Yeah, it's safe to say that there's not a lot that can faze this man. Another thing I love about John is his attention to detail. In addition to being a marine, he was also an architect and this shows in his constructs that are very detailed and precise, which is why he earned the nickname "the master builder" from his fellow lanterns. But all of that pales in comparison to the fact that at one time he became a guardian of the universe. You know, the guys that are the bosses of the Green Lantern Corps and are responsible for the creation of the universe as we know it? You know a brother is definitely on top of things to join those kind of ranks.
Overall, John is a brother that will never back down when on the battlefield. Regardless if the battlefield is on earth or in space. And I am definitely looking forward to seeing him make his big screen debut in the GLC movie in 2020. Mr. Stewart, we salute you.
2. Black Panther
Hailing from the kingdom of Wakanda is King T'Challa, a.k.a. the Black Panther. Wakanda is a small nation in Africa, but what makes them awesome is that they are the only nation in all of Africa that never fell victim to colonialism. And for over 10,000 years, Wakanda has been ruled by a warrior king known as the Black Panther of which T'challa is the latest to take up the mantle.
T'Challa is without a doubt the most important character on this list, because while John Stewart is merely DC's first black superhero T'Challa is the first black superhero in comics period.
The thing that I love the most about T'challa is that he is an undisputed chessmaster. Seriously, this guy is almost always five steps ahead of everyone. And when you are the leader of the most technologically advanced nation on earth that also harbors the worlds most precious metal (vibranium), it pays to be on top of things. And because of his cunning he has been able to go toe to toe with some of the deadliest characters in the entire Marvel universe. This has allowed him to defeat characters like Iron Man, Doctor Doom, and Mephisto. And that last one is important because Mephisto is essentially Marvel's equivalent to Satan. I repeat, Black Panther actually fought the devil. AND WON.
1. Static
"Superhero Static Shock! WHOOP WHOOP!"
And coming in at number one is the shock to the system from Dakota city! Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce you to my man Virgil Hawkins a.k.a. Static!
Virgil Hawkins was a teen living in a rough neighborhood that was plagued by gang activity. To make matters worse, one of his bullies was a gang banger, and eventually one of Virgils friends talked him into meeting him at the docks of Dakota city so that he can shoot his bully in the middle of a huge gang war. Virgil threw the gun in the water since he knew he wasn't a killer. Unfortunately, the police showed up and sprayed a modified tear gas on the gang members. This event became known as the "Big Bang" and only 10% survived. The survivors ended up with superpowers and were known as "Bang Babies". Sadly, most of those people became villains, but Virgil, with his new ability to manipulate electricity decided to become the young hero of Dakota known as Static.
Like Cyborg and John Stewart, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Virgil through the DC animated shows. And while I loved the hell out of John Stewart, Static definitely held a more special place in my heart since at the time, he was a superhero that was around my age. It just really meant a lot to me seeing a superhero that was a kid going around his city and trying to make it a better place and going up against threats that pose problems to teens across the nation such as gang violence, racism, and bullying. But if you thought the show dealt with heavy topics, then that pales in comparison to the topics that the original comic book run handled.
When I got into high school, I finally had the honor of coming across the original milestone comics run and this caused me to fall in love with the character even more than I already had at that point. My god, the comic had Static confront issues like sex, coping with the fact that his best friend was gay, and even watching one of his own friends get killed right in front of him. Damn!
What makes Static such a compelling character to me is because like most superheroes, he does his best to balance his superhero life with his personal life. Heck, if anything he was a black spider-man long before Miles Morales came around.Yet through all the trials and tribulations, it all made him into a better hero, and a stronger person in general. And to think he handles all of this at a young age and pushes through is precisely why Static is not only my favorite black superhero. But my favorite superhero of all time in general.
But these are just my favorites. Are there any black superheroes that you hold near and dear to your heart? Be sure to let me know in the comments below. Until then, Have a happy black history month and I will catch all of you guys next time.
3. John Stewart
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| "In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power! Green Lantern's Light!" |
While John has the honor of being DC's first black superhero, he initially didn't have that great of a first impression due to the fact that upon his introduction in the comics, he was written as a one dimensional "Angry Black Man" stereotype. However this all changed in the early 2000's when Bruce Timm chose John to be the Green Lantern of the Justice League animated series. And thanks to the quality storytelling by the DC animated team along with a stellar vocal performance by Phil Llamar, John became the definitive Green Lantern to an entire generation of people.
What I love the most about John Stewart is how disciplined he is. Thanks to his military background, he takes his job dead seriously. And because of that dedication, he probably has the strongest will of any green lantern. No seriously, did you know that there was one time in the comics where he exhibited so much will power that his ring couldn't handle it? Yeah, it's safe to say that there's not a lot that can faze this man. Another thing I love about John is his attention to detail. In addition to being a marine, he was also an architect and this shows in his constructs that are very detailed and precise, which is why he earned the nickname "the master builder" from his fellow lanterns. But all of that pales in comparison to the fact that at one time he became a guardian of the universe. You know, the guys that are the bosses of the Green Lantern Corps and are responsible for the creation of the universe as we know it? You know a brother is definitely on top of things to join those kind of ranks.
Overall, John is a brother that will never back down when on the battlefield. Regardless if the battlefield is on earth or in space. And I am definitely looking forward to seeing him make his big screen debut in the GLC movie in 2020. Mr. Stewart, we salute you.
2. Black Panther
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| "We haven't met yet. I'm Clint!" "I don't care." |
T'Challa is without a doubt the most important character on this list, because while John Stewart is merely DC's first black superhero T'Challa is the first black superhero in comics period.
The thing that I love the most about T'challa is that he is an undisputed chessmaster. Seriously, this guy is almost always five steps ahead of everyone. And when you are the leader of the most technologically advanced nation on earth that also harbors the worlds most precious metal (vibranium), it pays to be on top of things. And because of his cunning he has been able to go toe to toe with some of the deadliest characters in the entire Marvel universe. This has allowed him to defeat characters like Iron Man, Doctor Doom, and Mephisto. And that last one is important because Mephisto is essentially Marvel's equivalent to Satan. I repeat, Black Panther actually fought the devil. AND WON.
Damn!
Another thing I like about Black Panther is his intelligence. Black Panther has studied abroad in Europe and North America in his use and even obtained a PhD in physics from Oxford university. Not only that but he's also ranked as one of the top 10 smartest people in the Marvel universe. In addition he also uses his endless access to vibranium to come up with new gadgets to help him protect his home from the forces of evil and the world.
Granted having a superhero that's also a genius is nothing new, but do you know just how special it is to a fan of color to see one of your own that can not only throw down in the heat of battle, but can also match wits with people like Reed Richards or Bruce Banner? And to have those guys recognize this brother as an equal? Stuff like that can really lift your spirits.
But the one thing I love the most about T'challa is that he's a king first and superhero second. Because of his position as a head of state, he constantly has to make tough choices in the heat of battle and within the world of politics. Now granted we have seen some other kings of the Marvel Universe such as Namor (Atlantis) or Black Bolt (Attilan) but the thing is we never get to see these kingdoms interact with other countries that much. Wakanda is a bit more grounded (well as grounded as a comic book universe will allow), and therefore we actually get to see how T'challas decisions get to affect what goes in his country and others countries as well. I mean, damn most superheroes have to worry about balancing their superhero lives with their personal lives but Black Panther has to balance being a superhero along with running an entire country. And through it all he almost seamlessly pulls through.
A lot of fans of color are stoked to see his solo film next year (#BlackPantherSoLit), but guys just sit down and think for a moment. I know we can't wait to see this brothers movie but just think about the impact that T'challa had on readers back when he made his debut. Back in 1966, racial tensions were high and Marvel was taking a gigantic risk by introducing a black superhero to stand as an equal among the white superheroes. And up until that point, all black readers had to look forward to in terms of representation in comics was nothing but degrading stereotypes and caricatures. So can you imagine what it was like for them after reading years of racist bullshit about people that looked like them to finally see a black character that was being portrayed in a positive light? Not only that, but a black character that was actually an honest to god superhero? And was the king of a highly advanced African country that was never conquered?! It was like Marvel was reaching out to these fans and saying "Hey, you guys can be heroes too!" Folks, all these things and more is precisely why Black Panther means a lot to black comic book fans. At a time where those who came before us were fighting for equality, T'challa and Marvel came in and showed us that yes, we can stand among our white peers as equals, and yes we can help make a difference.
And you can bet that I'm going to be first in line to the Black Panther movie during Black History Month 2018!
Hail to the king.
1. Static
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| "The names Static! I put a shock to your system!" |
And coming in at number one is the shock to the system from Dakota city! Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce you to my man Virgil Hawkins a.k.a. Static!
Virgil Hawkins was a teen living in a rough neighborhood that was plagued by gang activity. To make matters worse, one of his bullies was a gang banger, and eventually one of Virgils friends talked him into meeting him at the docks of Dakota city so that he can shoot his bully in the middle of a huge gang war. Virgil threw the gun in the water since he knew he wasn't a killer. Unfortunately, the police showed up and sprayed a modified tear gas on the gang members. This event became known as the "Big Bang" and only 10% survived. The survivors ended up with superpowers and were known as "Bang Babies". Sadly, most of those people became villains, but Virgil, with his new ability to manipulate electricity decided to become the young hero of Dakota known as Static.
Like Cyborg and John Stewart, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Virgil through the DC animated shows. And while I loved the hell out of John Stewart, Static definitely held a more special place in my heart since at the time, he was a superhero that was around my age. It just really meant a lot to me seeing a superhero that was a kid going around his city and trying to make it a better place and going up against threats that pose problems to teens across the nation such as gang violence, racism, and bullying. But if you thought the show dealt with heavy topics, then that pales in comparison to the topics that the original comic book run handled.
When I got into high school, I finally had the honor of coming across the original milestone comics run and this caused me to fall in love with the character even more than I already had at that point. My god, the comic had Static confront issues like sex, coping with the fact that his best friend was gay, and even watching one of his own friends get killed right in front of him. Damn!
What makes Static such a compelling character to me is because like most superheroes, he does his best to balance his superhero life with his personal life. Heck, if anything he was a black spider-man long before Miles Morales came around.Yet through all the trials and tribulations, it all made him into a better hero, and a stronger person in general. And to think he handles all of this at a young age and pushes through is precisely why Static is not only my favorite black superhero. But my favorite superhero of all time in general.
But these are just my favorites. Are there any black superheroes that you hold near and dear to your heart? Be sure to let me know in the comments below. Until then, Have a happy black history month and I will catch all of you guys next time.
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