Unlike television and film, black superheroes started appearing as significant characters in comics in the 1960s. Even though their roles have not been given enough credit, this is bound to change as Hollywood pushes for more diversity in all facets of production. This has come in handy as one of the major steps towards creating a more inclusive landscape.
After decades of being sidelined or ignored altogether, black superheroes thrive on screen. It’s been a long time coming, but finally, classic characters like Black Panther, The Falcon, and Luke Cage are getting the widespread recognition they deserve.
Top 10 black superheroes in comics
Are there any black superheroes in Marvel? Yes. Since the premiere of Black Panther, Marvel, DC, and others have churned out several amazing black superheroes that embody black excellence. Here is the complete list of the top 10 black superheroes in comics you should watch in 2022.
1. Black Panther
Is Black Panther the first black superhero? Yes, he is the first major mainstream Black superhero in American Comics. Ever since he made his appearance, he changed both the face and the game of comic books. Thanks to him, he had a similar and more impact on comic book movies.
After his debut, he has broken boundaries as one of the leading black superheroes. He was the first Black Avenger serving as the leader of the Fantastic Four, making him stand out as the smartest and most capable hero in the Marvel Comic Universe.
Black Panther is the monarch and protector of an ultra-advanced and uncolonized nation known as Wakanda. He has a record-breaking solo movie and consequent appearances in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
2. Lion Man
Who was the first black superhero? Lion Man was the first Black comic book superhero, even though he is not a household name. He only appeared in the single published issue of All-Negro Comics and was co-created by journalist Orrin Evans and his brother, George J Evans and John Terrell.
He undertook the superhero mantle after being mandated to guard a giant Uranium deposit in Africa. All Negro Comics gained immeasurable fame since it was the first comic book created entirely by Black creators with all Black characters.
3. Black Lightning
Black Lightning is one of the major Black heroes from DC Comics created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden. He has also been a member of the Justice League and The Outsiders. He comes in handy in paving the way for Cyborg to become one of DC’s top heroes and a founder of some versions of the Justice League.
He originates from the fictional Suicide Slums, an allegory of the modern inner ghettoes and cities. Black Lighting can create electricity and vows to use these powers to improve his neighbourhood while also fighting for justice in all spheres.
4. Storm
Storm stands out as one of the first female characters who played a significant role in black superheroes movies. She first appeared in 1975, when there were only a few Black male superhero characters. Storm descends from an ancient line of African priestesses responsible for wielding magic.
Her mother was an African Princess, while her father was an American photojournalist. After her parent’s wedding, they relocated to Harlem, where she was born. At one point, she became the X-Men leader but reversed to a goddess in the Marvel Universe.
She has appeared in the X-Men animated TV series X-Men: Evolution and Wolverine and The X-Men. She has also appeared in four live-action X-Men films, portrayed by actress Halle Berry. In addition, Alexandra Shipp played storm’s role in the 2016 X-Men: Apocalypse.
5. Falcon/Captain America (Sam Wilson)
Falcon is one of the first African-American mainstream superheroes who made his first appearance in September 1969. He was first introduced as a social worker serving inner-city youths in his Harlem neighbourhood.
Later, IGN placed him as the 96th greatest comic book hero. His partnership with Captain American stood out as one of the comic’s greatest crime-fighting duos. In July 2014, he took over as Falcon took over as Captain America.
The Falcon has appeared in several cartoons and video games. Anthony Mackie portrays Wilson in the Marvel Studios film Captain America: The Winter Soldier. In 2016, Mackie reprised his role in the sequel, Captain America: Civil War.
6. Power Man (Luke Cage)
Power Man first appeared in June 1972 in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire. After being imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, he gained superpowers in unbreakable skin and superhuman strength.
Ever since his debut, he was added to the Avengers in 2005 and has appeared in various Avengers titles as either a member or leader. Actor Nicholas Cage used Luke Cage to inspire his stage name to differentiate himself from his famous uncle, Francis Ford Coppola.
Over the years, Luke Cage has featured in various cartoons and video games. In 2013, Mike Colter played the character in A.K.A. Jessica Jones, a live-action television series set to premiere in 2015. Later, he headlined his series.
7. Static Shock
What Marvel characters are black? Static Shock is one of the Black Marvel characters. He made his first appearance in 1993 and was produced by a coalition of African-American artists and writers known as the Milestone Comics.
The coalition believed that the minorities were under-represented in a majority of the American comics. Even though it ended in 1997, the superhero was saved by Warner Barner’s animated series, Static Shock that aired for four seasons.
The series also led to the creation of several comic book series. In addition, the black superhero also appeared in video games, comics, other action figures and the widely-recognized cartoon Static Shock.
8. Green Lantern (John Stewart)
Green Lantern first appeared in 1972 as one of DC Comics first Black superheroes. Neil Adams created Stewart Black as a substitute for Green Lantern. The artist created the Black superhero due to the racial makeup of the world’s population.
Since his creation from pure common sense, he has appeared in hundreds of the Green Lantern comics and several video games. He has also featured in the cartoon series Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, among many other Justice League movies.
9. Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau may not entirely be a household name, but her lofty place in Marvel history distinguishes her as one of the essential Black comic book characters. She was the first woman to take the moniker Captain Marvel as the successor to Mar-Vell.
Later, she became an Avenger and led the team for years. She was also one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes in the ’80s. Currently, Monica remains a supporting character in Marvel Comics. However, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she appears as a child in Captain Marvel but with a bigger role as an adult in Disney Plus’s streaming series WandaVision.
10. Spawns (Al Simmons)
Spawn is one of the best African-American superheroes who made his debut in 1992, playing the role of a CIA agent devoted to black ops. After joining the service, he started questioning the morality of what his agency was doing.
His partner murdered him in a blazing inferno. Unfortunately, his soul was sent to hell because he had knowingly killed innocents during his days in the CIA. He made a deal to sell his soul to avenge his murder and see his wife. Spawn has been featured in an animated HBO series, a feature film and several video games.
The comic book history is rich with Black superheroes who have defined important parts of the genre and the medium. Thanks to the best black heroes, their stories and contributions have ceased from going unsung all too often.
Tuko.co.ke shared an article about the top 20 best black actors and actresses under 40 you should look out for in 2021. For a long time, black actors and actresses have been underestimated, with the industry suffering from a lack of diversity. But that is now changing, and more and more people are stepping into star roles.
Some of the best black actors and actresses under 40 are shaping the entertainment sector. Some of these stars have made their mark and entered their names into the history books. Others are just getting started, and their stars can only shine brighter from here.
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Source: Tuko
