Unlike television and film, black superheroes became major comic characters in the 1960s. In 1966, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced Black Panther in an issue of Fantastic Four, and DC soon followed with Jon Stewart. Both were not just filler characters introduced for the sake of diversity. They went on to become iconic characters. To answer an ongoing question about “Why aren’t there any major black superheroes?” we created a list of awesome characters that all “real” comic book fans should know and love.
17. Falcon (Sam Wilson)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan
1st appearance: Captain America #117 (Sept. 1969)
Sam Wilson, the son of a prominent minister, felt jaded by racism and his parents’ deaths. However, his life changed the day he met Captain America. Steve Rogers convinces him to adopt a persona to inspire people. He uses his hi-tech costume and avian telepathy as the Falcon to defend Harlem. The Falcon first appeared on the big screen in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, portrayed by actor Anthony Mackie.
16. Spawn (Al Simmons)
Publisher: Image Comics
Created by: Todd Mcfarlane
1st appearance: Spawn #1 (May 1992)
Killed by his best friend and sent to hell, Al Simmons, a highly trained assassin, struck a deal with the devil and was reborn as a soldier, Spawn. The character is one of the most noteworthy black superheroes ever and starred in his movie (back in 1997), with Michael Jai White as Spawn. Fans are hoping that Zack Snyder will direct a reboot of Spawn.
15. Batwing (David Zavimbe)
Publisher: DC Comics
Created by: Grant Morisson and Chris Burnham
1st appearance: Batman, Incorporated #5 (2011)
Grant Morrison created David Zavimbe in the pages of Batman Incorporated. He is a former child soldier whose parents died of HIV/AIDS very early in his life. Batman chooses him to represent him as the Batman of Africa. Batwing dons a powerful suit of armour, which augments his strength and allows him to fly.
14. Green Lantern (John Stewart)
Publisher: DC Comics
Created by: Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams
1st appearance: Green Lantern vol. 2 #87 (December 1971)
John Stewart is an architect who the Guardians selected to be Hal Jordan’s backup Green Lantern after Guy Gardner was seriously injured. When Jordan gave up being Green Lantern in the ’80s, the Guardians selected John for full-time duty. Stewart’s power ring gives him the abilities of all other Green Lanterns. The character has become one of the most important black superheroes of all time.
12. Spider-Man (Miles Morales)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: Brian Michael Bendis
1st appearance: Ultimate Fallout #4 (August 2011)
Miles Morales is a half-Latino, half-black character who becomes the new Ultimate Spider-Man after the death of Peter Parker. Like the original Spider-Man before him, he’s bitten by a radioactive spider from Oscorp, which grants him incredible powers. After some resistance from fans, the recent animated film Spider-Man: The Spider-Verse has projected the character into mainstream media, with many now accepting Miles as Spider-Man’s successor. Miles Morales is the lead character in Sony’s Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse movies.
11. Misty Knight
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: Tony Isabella and Arvell Jones
1st appearance: Marvel Team-Up #1 (March 1972), Marvel Premiere #20 (January 1975)
Mercedes “Misty” Knight is a kung-fu bionic (an arm courtesy of Tony Stark) detective known for dating Danny Rand (Iron Fist) and for her police work at the New York Police Department. She has teamed up with various members of The Defenders, including Luke Cage.
10. Black Panther (T’Challa)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
1st appearance: Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966)
T’Challa, the Black Panther, is a warrior king of the African nation of Wakanda. Described as one of the smartest men in comics, he is an Avenger and Storm’s ex-husband. Marvel’s Black Panther film broke records and was even considered for a special Oscar award before uproar from the public caused the Academy to change its mind. Thanks to the film’s popularity, a list like this would not be complete without mentioning Black Panther as one of the most famous black superheroes.
9. Storm (Ororo Munroe)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: Len Wein and Dave Cockrum
1st appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May 1975)
Marvel’s answer to DC’s Wonder Woman, Ororo Monroe, also known as Storm, is a mutant who can manipulate the weather, like lightning or rain. She was a member of the X-Men, Avengers, and the Fantastic Four and the former Queen of Wakanda. Halle Berry portrayed the character in the live-action X-Men film franchise.
8. Nick Fury
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Allred (based upon the original character by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)
1st appearance: Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #5 (August 2001)
The current version of Nick Fury was moulded around the likeness of Samuel Jackson, who plays the character on the big screen. More popular than the original White version of the character, Fury was one of the very first super soldiers in the Ultimate universe and became the director of S.H.E.I.L.D.
7. Bishop
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: John Byrne, Jim Lee, and Whilce Portacio
1st appearance: The Uncanny X-Men #282 (1991)
X-Men’s Bishop is a mutant from the 22nd century who has travelled into the past. He can channel kinetic energy, releasing it generally through beams of energy. Bishop became one of the most popular black superheroes during the animated X-Men TV series.
6. Static
Publisher: Milestone Comics
Created by: Denys Cowan, Dwayne McDuffie, Derek Dingle, Christopher Priest and Micheal Davis
1st appearance: Static #1 (1993)
Virgil Hawkins was exposed to a mutagenic gas, which gave him superpowers. With the ability to control electromagnetism, Static joined the Teen Titans and continued to protect his city.
5. War Machine (James Rhodes)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: David Michelinie and John Byrne
1st appearance: Iron Man #118 (1979)
James or Jim “Rhodey” Rhodes was a US Marine who served several tours in Southeast Asia and became a stand-in replacement for Tony Stark, his close friend, as Iron Man. Rhodey would eventually become War Machine, followed by Iron Patriot.
4. Power Man (Luke Cage)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: Archie Goodwin and John Romita Sr
1st appearance: Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (1972)
Wrongly convicted and imprisoned, Luke Cage was altered in a failed prison experiment, which granted him bulletproof skin and superhuman strength.
3. Steel (John Henry Irons)
Publisher: DC Comics
Created by: Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove
1st appearance: Adventures of Superman #500 (1993)
John Henry Irons was a scientist who created weapons for Lexcorp. Driven by guilt, he was inspired by Superman to become a hero. When Superman died after his battle with Doomsday, Steel assumed the mantle. He eventually became a member of the Superman Family and joined the Justice League. Shaquille O’Neal famously played Steel in a live-action DC film.
2. Cyborg (Victor Stone)
Publisher: DC Comics
Created by: Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
1st appearance: DC Comics Presents #26 (October 1980)
The son of two scientists, Victor Stone, was a high school football star exposed to the energy of Apokalyps technology. His father used experimental technology to save his life. He later joined the Justice League and became Cyborg, one of the most famous black superheroes of all time.
1. Blade
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan
1st appearance: The Tomb of Dracula #10 (July 1973)
Blade is a half-human and half-vampire who has dedicated his life to destroying the world of vampires. Armed with a sword and fighting skills, he has even taken on the likes of Dracula. Actor Wesley Snipes famously played Blade in the movies. Mahershala Ali is set to replace him as Blade in the MCU.
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Which other black superheroes deserve a mention on our list?
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