We've Moved

Effective immediately, we will no longer update this blog. All of the content has been moved to our new location at BlackSuperheroFan.com. This site will remain up and available for some time but all new entries will be posted at the new site. We thank you for your support and hope you will continue to support us at our new location.

President Obama offers 'shout out' to THE 99

We all know that President Barak Obama is no stranger to comic books. He has even publicly identified himself with Superman. What I didn't know is that he knew about The 99. Here is a video in which he gives a shout out to the creator.

There Really Is A Blaqualad!

In an earlier post I noted that the Aqualad for the upcoming Young Justice animated series was Black. The truth is I thought it was just some affirmative action like including Black Vulcan in the Super Friends. While it still may be, it seems that at least this Black Aqualad does or will have a comic book origin. He's scheduled to debut in DC's BRIGHTEST DAY #4 which will be before he debuts in the Young Justice Cartoon. The picture doesn't show him with blond hair like he seems to have in the animated series. I do like the colors. I guess time will tell. Find out more at DC's Source Blog.

Captain Enchilada Sauce

Out of Taco Bell's newest campaign comes Captain Enchilada Sauce, member of the Super Delicious Ingredient Force. Yes it's silly and makes no since but the character already has a fairly extensive Facebook page. I'm not sure what he can do but according to him, "I fight hunger and defend flavor. My Enchilada sauce smothers any that step and/or front."


Should I be insulted or just be happy someone invented another black superhero? He is first in the line-up and as tacky as his name sounds, you should see the others. Here's the first episode of the Super Delicious Ingredient Force for you amusement.

Black Jesus

I ran across a trailer for this comic on ComicBookTrailers.com and thought it was interesting. You can view it here. You can also view it on Arcana's website. After checking it out I went over to the official site. It seems the comic book has already been published and now it's being turned into a movie. The site still needs some work but you can view the first issue of the comic book online there. I found a couple of blurbs about the project online here and here. The only thing I can be sure of about this character is that he walks on water...literally. Take a look for yourself and tell me what you think.

R.I.P. Gary Coleman

Regardless of all the hype and negativity surrounding the Gary Coleman in his later years, I liked him. I especially liked him as a child actor.  Later in his life he just seemed like a guy who was trying to find his place in the world. You can't blame him for that. He had multiple medical problems and just seemed to have a hard time of it.

Anyway, did you know he had an animated series? He even had super powers sort of. The series was titled The Gary Coleman Show and lasted for one season. In it he played an angel that came down to earth to help people. Check it out:

Black Superheroes On The Web

Black Superhero stories from around the web:

• World Welcomes Makmende -Kenyan Super Hero
• Black Lightning and Me
• Marvel Developing Low-Budget Superhero Movies?
• Obama-Man: Is the new American president Africa’s long-awaited superhero?
• Kid Flicks: The Meteor Man (1993)
• strongest black superhero's?
• John Singleton Set to Direct Miniseries 'The Gray Men'
• Jack Kirby originally drew the Black Panther as wearing a mask that did not cover his entire face
• Black Muslim / Nation of Islam super-heroes, villains, and other characters
• The Most Erotic Rendition Of The Spider-Man Theme Ever Performed

The New Power Man

We all know that Luke Cage used to go by the name Power Man. Now Marvel Comics is releasing a new teen-aged Superhero that will go by the same name. He will even be operating in a similar fashion by becoming a Hero for Hire over the Internet. You can read an article about it here. Check it out then come back here and tell us what you think.

Black Comix Panel at C2E2

Chicago Radio was kind enough to post a video from the Black Comix Panel that was held over at C2E2. Check it out and share your thoughts.

Back In The Day

Remember when you were really little and you tried to create your own Superhero costume. Sometimes just using a towel as a cape was enough to have you run around the house or yard pretending you could fly. Maybe you'd get more creative, add some accessories and role play with friends or family pretending to swoop in and save the day as only you could. It was all so innocent and fun then.

I remember just being excited that I even saw a Black Superhero in a comic book, let alone on TV or in a movie. I've grown a bit since then and as I have become more sophisticated and exacting, so have my requirements for how Black Superheroes are presented. Hip Hop music has changed too, I think for the worst. I believe comics have fared better. It's just that I miss the times when it was only about joy, wonder, and having fun.

Meteor Man

Meteor Man began as comedic Black Superhero staring in a film of the same name created by Robert Townsend. His powers came from a Meteor which hits him in his chest, crushes his spine but miraculously heals him. His powers included flight, super strength, x-ray vision, a healing factor, and the ability to absorb knowledge and skills from books just by touching them. His mother makes his costume and everyone in the neighborhood seems to know his identity. He doesn't wear a mask. One of the comedic bits is that even though he can fly, he only does so close to the ground as he is afraid of heights.The film boasted a smörgåsbord of popular African-American actors including Bill Cosby, James Earl Jones, and Marla Gibbs to name a few. His nemesis was the leader of a local gang and the whole movie seemed to be trying to be about neighborhoods taking care of themselves. It wasn't a great film. It was cheesy, not very funny, and had a very low budget feel to it but I did appreciate it, and support it.

The same year, Meteor Man debuted in his own Marvel mini-series comic book where he met Spider-Man and Night Thrasher. That suprised me. I thought that just maybe he would be incorporated into the Marvel Universe proper. That, of course, didn't happen. I don't think the character was ever taken seriously but in 1993, Meteor Man was probably the Black Superhero of the Year. I've included the trailer below and if you'd like to to see the first few minutes of the actual movie, it's on Youtube. You can check that out here.

Black Superheroes On The Web

Black Superhero stories from around the web

• Review: Firestorm in Batman The Brave and the Bold
• Author discusses black superheroes in Wilson Library
• MC Hammer Developing Panther
• Celebrating Black Lightning
• Black History of Comics
• Martin Luther King comic book redefined superhero for a generation
• Stealth: The World's Greatest Superhero Webcomic!
• On the Unlikely Whiteness of Imhotep
  
• 7 Black Superhero Movies (The Good, The Bad & The Ugly)
• 'Black Age' Founder Challenges Snoop Dogg's Black Superhero Claim
• Watch Mos Def Play a Singing Superhero on "Yo Gabba Gabba!"
• Tyrone Ross our Black Superhero

The Black Hulk Revisited

Last year I wrote a post about the possibility of a Black Hulk. It was all comedy because I kinda figured that no one would really publish the Hulk as an angry Black man. It seemed kind of redundant. I mean, if there's a Black Hulk then what happens to Luke Cage? Now it seems that Marvel Comics has decided to...in their Ultimate Universe Comics. The issue in question, ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS 2 #3, written by Mark Millar,  is not out yet but the cover is. I'd be interested in hearing what you think about an African-American Hulk. Doesn't he kind of look like a cross between Mr. T and Luke Cage in this picture?
It also looks like half the Ultimate Avengers are African-American now.

Shades of Grey

A documentary is in the works called Shades of Grey: An Examination of Race Relations in Comics. The trailer is below. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Shades of Grey - An Examination of Race Relations in Comic Books from jaystealth on Vimeo.

Dread & Alive

I've seen the character here and there around the web and waited to hear more. Just recently, the comic was released and a reader brought this character to my attention again so I'm passing it to you. Here's the rub: "Drew McIntosh was born in Kingston Jamaica and now resides in San Francisco. He is a cultural anthropologist who's life changed after venturing into the Cockpit country of Jamaica where the mythical Maroons lived. In a contest of strength and cunning he emerged victorious and was granted the Maroon medallion which gave him the powers of a full grown lion and the power to heal others. He is an Eco-Warrior." 

If you'd like to know more, Dread and Alive has an official website complete with Reggae music soundtrack. You can also find out more about the character here. The comic has a Facebook page too. Finally, ComicVine has a Dread and Alive preview which you can view here.

After taking a look at all that, I'd love to hear what you think about the Drew McIntosh character. I'm excited about the idea of a Jamaican super hero and will be keeping an eye on this one. Oh and thanks to Ryonslaught for the update. Keep them coming.

Reminiscing About The JLU

The Justice League Unlimited animated series will always have a fond place in my heart. It's one of those animated series that brought many of my comic book heroes to TV, together in one place with great action and storylines. Remember that three part episode where a few of them traveled through time? John Stewart met his son and Static was a 60 year old member of the Justice League.

Angela Bassett plays Amanda Waller

I just heard that Angela Bassett has been cast as Amanda Waller in the upcoming Green Lantern movie. I think it's a great choice. She can definitely pull of the character and I'm excited to see her do it. I wonder if they make her put some weight on.

Genesis

I ran across a video for the Super hero group Genesis on YouTube last year. It showcased the characters but provided no story. It seemed nice enough but lacking so of course I moved on. My opinion changed when I ran across the following video which, narrated by the author, gave me the story and I have to say that I enjoyed it. She said all the right things and you can tell it is a labor of love.

Everyone I talk to about there being a lack of Black Superheroes in comics says that if you want there to be more you have to make your own. That is what the author of Genesis, Teresa Dowell-Vest is doing. If you like what you're about to see, head over to this site to find out more. If you like, you can even support the project. They even have a Facebook page.

Malice In Wonderland

In case you didn't know, Snoop Dogg has a new movie coming out where he plays a Gangsta Superhero. It coincides with his album Malice In Wonderland and is called by the same name. Below are two videos. The first is what could be considered a trailer for the short film. The second is a bit behind the scenes where Snoop discusses the origin of the film. It's scheduled to debut on BET and Spike March 24th. You can find out more here. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Aisha

I often receive many requests about African comics, most of which I cannot answer. When I do run across such a comic, however, I am quick to research and share it. One such comic is Aisha, a Nigerian comic. "Aisha is a street orphan turned ninja crime-fighter battling powerful but mysterious criminal forces on the streets of Lagos, the largest and busiest black city on earth." The comic is written and illustrated by Muyiwa Gbadegesin Sunkanmi Akinboye and published by Pandora Comics who also has a Facebook page. I'm sure this comic isn't available locally but you can purchase it at IndyPlanet who also provides a 6-page preview.
If you run across any other African comics, drop us a line. Thanks to ghettoManga for the link.