Super Black: A Look at Various Black Superheroes
Before the Black Panther film was released 2018 and became one of the highest grossing films in film history, the only other Black superhero I knew of was X-Men’s Storm. I know. Terrible, I know.
But in an effort to educate myself and gear up for the second installment of Black Panther’s saga, I figured why not take a minute to appreciate the other black superhero’s in existence? I’m not comic savvy by any means, but a girl can try right?
Check out our list of favorite Black Superheros:
Black Panther
By now you likely know Black Panther aka T’Challa, King of Wakanda is of the Marvel Universe. The character was first created and appeared in a 1966 issue of a Fantastic Four comic book. Black Panther’s power lies in his enhanced strength, agility, endurance and speed gained through the ancient Wakandan rituals of drinking the juice from a heart-shaped herb only found in Wakanda. Black Panther tops this list not only because he is arguably now the most popular black superhero, but was also the first black superhero to be introduced in mainstream American comic books. Wakanda forever!
Blade
Also from the Marvel Universe, Blade is considered a darker superhero, given the villains he often combats: vampires. Eric Stokes Brooks aka Blade is known for his master martial art skills, superhuman speed, strength and stamina, his ability to instantly sense vampires, accelerated healing, anti-aging, and immunity to vampire bites. Oh yes, and he’s also a vampire who can walk during the day, earning him the nickname “daywalker.” Blade was originally born in 1929 in London to a prostitute who was attacked by a vampire while giving birth. The vampiric enzymes were passed through her system into the baby thus giving Blade his abilities. Later in life, he helped save an old man who was being attacked by three vampires, the old man in turn trained Blade in music and combat. His specialty and expertise were most notable in his use of knives and daggers which earned him his nickname. Throughout his comic series Blade battles, numerous vampires (including Dracula) and soon realizes he’s immune to a vampire bite however because he is still half vampire his bite could turn a human.
Nick Fury
Colonel Nicholas Joseph Fury Sr. first made his Marvel debut in 1963 in a world war II combat series where he portrayed the leader of an elite US Army unit. He was then transformed into a CIA agent who later leads the S.H.I.E.L.D espionage agency which is how most of us see him today—he is the liaison between the US government and superheroes. Despite being over 100 years old, Fury has stopped his aging completely through his consumption of a potion called Infinity Formula. You will have seen the tv version of Fury (portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson) in Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Avengers, Captain Marvel, Spider Man and the tv series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. His notable powers (aside from never aging) are his expertise in armed and unarmed combat, heavyweight boxing, and holding a black belt in Tae Kwan Do. In the later versions of his character, Nick Fury was given the ability to see the past, present, future and alternate realities.
Falcon
As the second black superhero to be introduced to mainstream American comic culture, Falcon aka Sam Wilson has become is a well known Marvel regular. Falcon uses mechanic wings to fly and has mind control and telepathic abilities over birds. He is also a master judo and karate practitioner. Falcon was originally recruited by Steve Rogers (Captain America) after a run in with their nemesis Red Skull. Portrayed in his film roles by Anthony Mackie, Falcon holds his own as a team player in the Captain America series and later a leader as he takes over as Captain America once the original opts to retire. A little known fact about this character is that he’s originally from Harlem, New York!
Black Lightening
In finally showing some love to DC Comics, let’s show some love to their 3rd black superhero ever, Black Lightening. The character was originally introduced to American comic lovers in 1977 and was later turned into a CW TV series. Originally born Jefferson Pierce, a schoolteacher living and working in his crime-ridden neighborhood, he later attempts to curb the violence using a super-powered electrical belt that ends up transferring it’s powers over to him. Black Lightening has the ability to create electrical force fields as protection and to generate electrical bolts. A fun fact about this character is that he goes on two have two daughters, Thunder and Lightening, who carry on his super hero legacy.
Shuri
Reading about this character got me extra-excited for the next installment of Black Panther. Shuri is the princess and only daughter of T’Chaka the former king of Wakanda and the sister of T’Challa who we know as Black Panther. What you may be surprised to know is that at one point Shuri takes over ruling Wakanda while her brother recovers from battle wounds and assumes the role of Black Panther. Shuri possesses all the enhance abilities given to the Black Panther (speed, agility, strength, endurance) in addition to her master martial art skills, ability to revive dead Wakandans and extensive advanced technological knowledge and her ability to shape shift. In the comic version of her character it is actually Shuri who defeats Klaw the Russian enemy of the thrown depicted in the Black Panther movie using the Ebony Blade. Later in the series we see there are many instances where Shuri plays a significant l role in saving the Wakandan throne. Let’s hope we get to see a lot more of the princess of Wakanda when Black Panther returns!
