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Up in the sky, it's NOT a bird, or a plane, and it's probably not a black superhero.
For the first 20 years of modern comic book history, black superheroes were ignored. But in the 1960s black superheroes descended on the hero genre in their tights and capes to save the world, just like the rest.
Up until then, there where NO black superheroes and only a few black characters who regularly appeared in the most popular superhero stories.
This summer, we have Hancock. But many came before him ...
If you don't know comics, than you've probably never heard of these guys, but trailblazing characters like Luke Cage, The Falcon and Black Panther took a stronghold in the comic industry upon their first appearance. They cleared the path for more black superhero creations.
Then came Storm of the X-Men, Spawn and Blade. From there, TV and movies and more modern heroes like the Black Power Ranger and Static Shock. (And don't get me started on the dozens of independent and underground black superhero comics. There's too many to count.)
We decided to rank them. They run the gamut from humorous heroes, like Blankman, to cartoon crusaders, such as Hong Kong Phooey.
Comments: (134)
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By: Tim on 1/11/2010 6:50PM
No offense, but there's a ton of black superheroes out there that have had quality stories and are much better than some on this list. Black Lightning, the new Mr. Terrific, John Henry Irons better known as the Black Superman (arguably my favourite), John Stewart of Green Lantern Corps, and yes, Bishop should have been higher on this list. I even find it disappointing that no black women, except Storm, were listed at all. Even a google search will reveal those.
Sadly, the biggest problem I find with trying to make something radical with a culturally different character in a genre like mainstream comics, is usually they are pigeon holed into a stereotype.
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By: Lett0907 on 4/15/2010 3:09PM
This is the worst list of Black superheroes!!! I have been reading comics since I was a kid, how could you leave out warmachine, Icon, or even hardware?!! This list is just sad there was clearly no effort made!!! There was a whole comic book company who had black superheroes in NY around the 60, that is where DC bought the rights to static shock from, who ever made this list didnt even try!!!! this is garbage!
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By: Londell on 4/15/2010 8:05PM
This list show why Black people are where they are no respect!
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By: Asha Fernanders on 6/07/2011 3:10AM
ARE YOU KIDDNIG ME!!!!WHY DO THE NUMBER ONE BLACK SUPERHERO HAVE TO BE A COMEDIAN!!!
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