Top 50 Black Superheroes-Fan Edition

Well you’ve all seen the Top 30 Black Superheroes- Traffic Edition, the Top 30 Black Superheroes-Fan Edition, the Top Black Power Rangers and the Top 20 Black Superheroes-Milestone Comics editions. Now Celebrate Black History Month 2015 in style! It’s been a long time coming but after over a year of voting (January 14, 2014-February 15, 2015) It’s finally done! Without further delay here are the Top 50 Black Superheroes! Be sure to leave a comment below on your thoughts on the list, who made it on and those who clearly didn’t make the cut. Thanks again for making this the biggest and best poll we have had yet!

1. 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 the super genius warrior king of the African nation of Wakanda, the most technologically advanced nation on Earth. He is one of the smartest men in comic’s period. He’s a former Avenger, and Storm‘s ex-husband. Black Panther was the first mainstream black Marvel superhero and is currently the “King of the dead” and leading the New Avengers/Illuminati. I love his design and without his positive debut back when racism was more blatant writers would never have realized the need for black superheroes in the first place. The Black Panther truly kick started the revolution!

[amazon_link asins=’0785107894,0785120483,1302900536′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0a3d50d7-e077-11e7-9884-7187aac8bd38′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO T’CHALLA HERE~

 

 

2. Storm/Ororo Munroe

   

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Len Wein and Dave Cockrum

1st appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May 1975)

Ororo Monroe/Storm is a mutant with the ability to perceive and manipulate the forces and elements that govern weather. She’s a mainstay and veteran member of the X-Men, tactical field leader, Avenger, African Goddess, Thief, former member of the Fantastic Four, Headmistress of the Jean Grey School, and the former Queen of Wakanda. She is a mouthful! On top of all that she is easily the most recognizable and famous black superhero thanks to appearances is multiple video games, every X-men cartoon to date and being portrayed by Halle Berry in the live action X-men series. Storm is a pop culture phenomenon and marvel’s answer to DC Comics Wonder Woman!

[amazon_link asins=’0785135332,0785185011,078512540X’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’3dcc7923-e077-11e7-b5d2-09400d177c16′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO ORORO MUNROE HERE~

 

 

 

3. 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/Marine who was originally selected by the Guardians themselves to be Hal Jordan’s back up Green Lantern. John is currently a central figure in rebuilding the Green Lantern Corps after the “War of the Green Lanterns”. He was formally a Green Lantern of sector 2814, a member of the Green Lantern Honor Guard and was one half of the red hot black power couple alongside Fatality/Yrra Cynril. He’s also noteworthy for being a planet destroyer as a result of destroying both Fatality’s planet and Mogo the living planet.

[amazon_link asins=’1401237029,B000UMG84U,1401233015′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’6b194e0d-e077-11e7-a74b-cbf20e64a5b7′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO JOHN STEWART HERE~

 

 

4. Luke Cage

   

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Archie Goodwin and John Romita Sr

1st appearance: Luke Cage, Hero for hire #1, 1972

Luke Cage, wrongly convicted and unjustly imprisoned, was altered in a failed prison experiment that granted him bulletproof skin and super-human strength. Recently he has been a member of and led Earths Mightiest Heroes; The Avengers as well as the Thunderbolts program for reformed villains. Luke is also set to appear on the Daredevil Netflix series before staring in his own. Luke is a self made man and wonderful father. With his street smarts and unending determination to do right, he fights for the common man!

[amazon_link asins=’0785192980,1302907786′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’899a4c88-e077-11e7-8ee1-c7c99c3d286e’]

~DIG DEEPER INTO LUKE CAGE HERE~

 

 

5. Blade

   

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan

1st appearance: The Tomb of Dracula #10 (July 1973)

Blade is half human and half vampire, thus possessing all the strengths but none of the weaknesses of a traditional vampire. He has dedicated his life to destroying the occult world of vampires and all who associate with them. Blade has managed to run afoul of Dracula and many dark and terrible things over the span of his lifetimes. Most recently he helped MI6 fend off a Vampiric invasion of Britain and did the same with Cyclops island nation of Utopia when they were besieged by the undead. He also briefly served the Might Avengers as “Ronin” in a bid to save Earth from the “Deathwalkers”. Blade is most popular for his portrayal by Wesley Snipes in the Blade Trilogy set of movies and for kick starting the modern Superhero movie genre back in 1999.

[amazon_link asins=’B000YGDXJA,0785188746′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a2dd9560-e077-11e7-b5a0-33ab15665798′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO BLADE HERE~

 

 

 

6. Cyborg/Victor Stone 

   

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Marv Wolfman and George Pérez

1st appearance: DC Comics Presents #26, October 1980

Victor Stone was a genius level intellect with two scientist parents. An accident leads him to the heroic life of a Cyborg. As a member of the Teen Titans he has been the heart and soul of the team. Under the new 52 origin he was a high school football star was exposed to the energy of Apokalyps technology. His father chose to save his life using experimental technology. Cyborg is now a founding member of the Justice League, Americas greatest superhero and pretty soon will headline his own ongoing series and if rumors are to be believed show up in Batman Vs Superman when it hits theaters!

[amazon_link asins=’1401267920,1401237886′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’be0fdc70-e077-11e7-92ce-97bf57c7a0b9′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO CYBORG HERE~

 

 

 

7. Static

   

Publisher: Milestone Comics

Created by: Denys Cowan, Dwayne McDuffie, Derek Dingle, Christopher Priest and Micheal Davis

1st appearance: Static #1, 1993

Virgil “Static” Hawkins was exposed to a mutagenic gas that swept his city of Dakota, which gave him and other ‘bang babies’ superpowers. With the ability to control electromagnetism, Static joined the Teen Titans and continued to protect his city while serving on the team. During DC Comics new 52 he moved to New York and starred in his own ongoing title which was among the first wave of cancellations. In 2015 he’s set to become the star of a live action internet show during the Milestone 2.0 re-launch handled by Reginald Hudlin and Denys Cowan!

[amazon_link asins=’1401222625,B06X9VH7G7′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d3b146c6-e077-11e7-9cc8-afdf2c1e34ad’]

~DIG DEEPER INTO VIRGIL OVID HAWKINS HERE~

 

 

8. Spawn/Al Simmons

   

Publisher: Image Comics

Created by: Todd Mcfarlane

1st appearance: Spawn #1 (may 1992)

Al Simmons was a highly trained assassin who was killed by his best friend and sent to hell. After striking a deal with the devil he was reborn as a soldier in Hells army, a hell Spawn. In his long history Spawn has been an Angel, the ruler of hell and even the bringer of Armageddon. Spawn is by far one of the most noteworthy Black superheroes ever with his stint as the titular character of his Todd McFarlane penned and written series launching Image comics into the stratosphere. He has starred in his own movie, has another one in the pipeline, had an animated series on HBO and also launched Todd Mcfarlane into the toy business. Spawn is truly one of the greats + his movie franchise is set to get the reboot treatment and there are rumors he may guest star in Mortal Kombat X!

[amazon_link asins=’160706071X,1607062283′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e13adaea-e077-11e7-ae75-b9137ea1441c’]

~DIG DEEPER INTO AL SIMMONS HERE~

 

 

9. War Machine/James Rhodes 

   

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: David Michelinie and John Byrne

1st appearance: Iron Man #118, 1979

James Rhodes was a soldier in the United States Army who has served as a stand in replacement for Tony Stark as Iron Man thus making him one of marvel’s first legacy heroes.  Rhodey grew into his own character over the years though becoming “War Machine” whose armor dwarfs Iron Man’s in sheer destructive force. Appearances in the Iron Man movie franchise later gave him mass appeal. Recently he has taken on the mantle of “Iron Patriot” and been a member of the “Secret Avengers”.

[amazon_link asins=’078513879X,0785190287′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0c9e7cdf-e078-11e7-a441-937171329d0a’]

~DIG DEEPER INTO WAR MACHINE HERE~

 

 

10. Nick Fury (Ultimate)

    

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

This version of Nick was molded off the likeness of Samuel Jackson who incidentally plays him on the big screen in blockbuster movies such as the Iron Man films and the Joss Whedon’s Avengers film. Arguably more popular than the white original version of the character this one was one of the very first super soldiers in the Ultimate universe who went on to rise to the rank of director of S.H.E.I.L.D. He has recently become the benefactor of New Ultimate Spider-Man, Miles Morales.

[amazon_link asins=’1465455728,1302904868′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’42c5dc93-e078-11e7-bddd-4105fea4902a’]

~DIG DEEPER INTO Ultimate Nick Fury HERE~

 

 

11. Falcon/Samuel Wilson 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan

1st appearance: Captain America #117 (Sept. 1969)

Empowered by evil, inspired by good, Sam Wilson‘s bleak outlook on life was wiped away the day he met Captain America. He uses his winged costume, combat prowess, and avian telepathy as the Falcon, defender of Harlem. The Falcon is set to make his big screen debut in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” portrayed by Anthony Mackie and is the very first African-American superhero in the history of mainstream comics. Samuel is also currently a member of the Mighty Avengers and the global Avengers unit which fought during Infinity and has been a major player in AXIS while also taking up the mantle of All New Captain America!

[amazon_link asins=’0785192581,0785196404′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’5e337f58-e078-11e7-baa2-f9279a796a73′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO FALCON HERE~

 

 

12. Bishop

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: John Byrne, Jim Lee, and Whilce Portacio

1st appearance: The Uncanny X-Men #282, 1991

Lucas Bishop is a mutant from the 22nd century that traveled into the past, becoming a temporary member of the X-Men. He has the power to channel kinetic energy, releasing it generally through beams of energy. In recent years Bishop betrayed the X-men to kill the mutant messiah Hope Summers and was left stranded in the future. In 2013 he returned to the present in the pages of Uncanny X-force first as a foe and later as an ally. Since then however he has been left in comic book limbo.

[amazon_link asins=’1302901702,0785131736′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’84a93ba5-e078-11e7-9d5f-cd7ab0f52432′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO BISHOP HERE~

 

 

13. Spider Man/Miles Morales

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Brian Michael Bendis

1st appearance: Ultimate Fallout #4, August 2011

Miles Morales is the ½ Latino ½ Black New Ultimate Spider-man who made his debut in 2011’s Ultimate Fallout after the death of Ultimate Peter Parker. Miles lives with his parents in New York and has a villainous uncle named Aaron/Prowler. Like Peter before him he’s bitten by a radioactive spider from Oscorp which endows him with incredible powers. With this power Miles tries to emulate the late Peter Parker while balancing school, family life and the whirlwind of adventure that has become his life. Recently he has undergone major trauma as his mother was killed in battle with Venom, he was abandoned by his father and his Uncle died while fighting him! To makes things worse he has joined the New Ultimates team while dealing with Peter Parker and the Green Goblin’s return to life!

[amazon_link asins=’0785199616,0785197788′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’96038633-e078-11e7-bd6d-2d2872eb2721′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO MILES MORALES HERE~

 

 

14. Black Lightning

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden

1st appearance: Black Lightning #1, April 1977

Jefferson Michael Pierce is a teacher and Olympic medal winning decathlete, metahuman able to control and manipulate electricity. He is popularly regarded by his superhuman peers as the first black Superhero. Over the course of his career he’s been a founding member of the outsiders, secretary of education for the United States and also had two daughters who continue his heroic legacy as Thunder and Lightning. During the new 52 reboot he is a college teacher partnered with Blue Devil facing down street level threats with no family in sight. Alongside his daughters he also appeared in a series of short animated cartoons that failed to really get traction or media attention.

[amazon_link asins=’1401279643,1401260713′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a2b30ce2-e078-11e7-8ee1-c7c99c3d286e’]

~DIG DEEPER INTO BLACK LIGHTNING HERE~

 

 

15. Icon/Augustus Freeman

    

Publisher: Milestone Comics

Created by: Dwayne McDuffie and Denys Cowan

1st appearance: Icon #1, May 1993

Arnus is an alien who crash landed on earth during slavery and took on the appearance of a black human. He is almost equal in power to DC Comics Superman. As Augustus Freeman he was a lawyer who later becomes Dakota’s premier superhero after a chance encounter with Raquel Irvin/Rocket. He has been involved with the Underground Railroad, the Harlem Renaissance and a host of pivotal black American history moments since arriving on earth. After the merger of DC and Milestone he was shown to be friends with Superman.

[amazon_link asins=’1563893398,B000MU87QM’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b35308b2-e078-11e7-aeaa-1552dd5cb7bf’]

~DIG DEEPER INTO AUGUSTUS FREEMAN HERE~

 

 

16. Aqualad/Kaldur’am

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Greg Weisman, Brandon Vietti and Phil Bourassa

1st appearance: Brightest Day #4, 2010

Kaldur’ahm(Jackson Hyde) is the son of Black Manta and the successor to the first Aqualad who became Tempest. Despite his father’s villainy Kaldur has chosen the life of the hero. Due to biological experimentation conducted by Atlantean outlaws, Kaldur has the unique ability to construct solid objects from water, and when in contact with water he develops webbed hands and gills so he can breathe underwater. Though he was created for the now cancelled Cartoon Network show ‘Young Justice’ he was later brought into comics by Geoff Johns in Brightest Day #4 but has not been seen in the new 52 re-launch.He’s most popular due to his stint leading the Teen Titans on the Young Justice TV series.

[amazon_link asins=’B004VUMH92,B004J18E3G’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0ccd867c-e079-11e7-af25-dbbe5bdbbd17′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO AQUALAD HERE~

 

 

17. Steel

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove

1st appearance: Adventures of Superman #500, 1993

John Henry Irons was a brilliant scientist and inventor who after creating weapons for Lexcorp was driven by guilt and inspired by Superman to become a superhero. When superman was presumed dead after his battle with Doomsday he assumed the mantle of “Man of Steele”. With the return of Superman he became an unofficial member of the Superman Family and later joined the Justice League. Steel is most famous for being “the Black Superman” of the 90’s!

[amazon_link asins=’1401266630,B000TR85IS’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’54c60eae-e079-11e7-bcac-9ff6f1beb1a2′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO STEEL HERE~

 

 

18. Vixen-Mari Jiwe McCabe 

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Gerry Conway and Bob Oksner

1st appearance: Action Comics #521, (July 1981)

The African born Vixen carries a magical Tantu totem that augments her animal mimicking abilities. She has been a JLA and Suicide Squad member, a model and  woman. She enjoys mainstream popularity through appearances on the Justice League animated series. Recently it was announced that she will headline her own animated series on the CW network set in the same timeline as Arrow and Flash.

[amazon_link asins=’B071NPXPDY,1401225128′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’Black panther’ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’2ac900f1-e079-11e7-a27d-47bec3ea16f9′]

~DIG DEEPER INTO VIXEN HERE~

 

 

19. Mister Terrific

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake

1st appearance: Spectre (vol. 3) # 54, 1997

Michael Holt is the third smartest man in DC Comics an Olympic level athlete and a world class martial artist. Terrific became a superhero after the death of his wife and unborn child. Inspired by the golden age Terry Sloan/Mister Terrific he dedicated the rest of his life to helping those who could not help themselves. Michael has been a member of the JSA and Checkmate. During the New 52 he became a major player especially during Future’s end. After being transported to Earth 2 he falls under the sway of Apokalips before breaking free alongside Mr. Miracle and aiding the planets heroes as they prepare for “World’s End”.

~DIG DEEPER INTO MR.TERRIFIC HERE~

 

 

20. Cloak

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Bill Mantlo and Ed Hannigan

1st appearance: Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #64, March 1982

Tyrone Johnson began his life as a cowardly Stutterer who was unable to save his best friend’s life. As a runaway he bonded with Tandy Bowen and together they were captured and subjected to experimentation. The Chemicals mutated them and granted her the powers of light and him access to the darkforce dimension which allowed him to teleport and ensnare others. He recently served as a member of the Dark X-men and the Utopia based X-men before getting entangled in the Spider-Island incident. In the wake of said incident he had his powers switched with that of Dagger but subsequent writers pretend like it never happened.

~DIG DEEPER INTO CLOAK HERE~

 

 

21. Misty Knight

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Tony Isabella and Arvell Jones

1st appearance: (unnamed) Marvel Team-Up (1st series) #1 (March 1972), (name revealed) Marvel Premiere #20 (January, 1975)

Misty knight is the super bad, super foxy 70’s style kung fu bionic detective. Misty is well known for dating Iron Fist Danny Rand and being partners with red haired samurai Colleen Wing. Recently she joined the “Fearless Defenders” partnered with Valkyrie after restarting the “Heroes for Hire” business under the alias of control. After the “Fearless Defenders” disbanded she uncovered a global Hydra plot to infiltrate everything. While undercover she confides this secret to Samuel Wilson/All New Captain America before they prepare for the coming war.

~DIG DEEPER INTO MISTY KNIGHT HERE~

 

 

22. Monica Rambeau

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Roger Stern and John Romita, Jr.

1st appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16, (1982)

Monica Rambeau has gone by many code names in her long superhero career: Captain Marvel, Photon, Pulsar etc. She has been a member of and lead Earths Mightiest heroes, The Avengers, dated black superhero Brother Voodoo when he was sorcerer supreme and was considered a sun goddess by the Black Panther. She recently led the Nextwave team and during Marvel Now she became the leader of the Mighty Avengers squad with fellow black superheroes Luke Cage, Power Man, Blue Marvel and White Tiger under new code name, Spectrum.

~DIG DEEPER INTO MONICA RAMBEAU HERE~

 

 

23. Blue Marvel/ Adam Brashier 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Kevin Grevioux

1st appearance: Legend of the Blue Marvel #1 (2009)

The Blue Marvel is an African-American superhero who was asked to retire by President Kennedy for the sake of not making the Civil Rights movement even more violent. Years later after a life of relative peace Blue Marvel is forced out of retirement to face his greatest foe and former best friend, Anti-Man. Despite being one of the most powerful beings on Earth he has been used rarely since his debut in 2009. Recently he has seen re-invigoration as a member of the Mighty Avengers where his family has been introduced and his origins have been streamlined to fit into the modern Marvel Universe. Blue Marvel has power comparable to Thor and Hulk though he’s clearly not as recognizable.

~DIG DEEPER INTO BLUE MARVEL HERE~

 

 

24. Batwing/David Zavimbe

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Grant Morisson and Chris Burnham

1st appearance: Batman, Incorporated #5, 2011

An African orphan and former child soldier chosen by Batman himself to represent Batman incorporated as the Batman of Africa. Batwing fought evil not just as a superhero but every day as the only non corrupt police officer in his precinct. In his fight on crime he had a powerful suit of armor which augmented his strength and granted fight. The suite also augmented his naturally prodigious fighting skills. Even before he was recruited by Batman he had a burning desire to atone for his past crimes as a child soldier. Alongside his brother they were touted as the greatest natural strategist and killers in the history of Africa. He eventually walked away from the Batwing mantle when his only remaining family Matu Ba, died as a result of the lifestyle. Though no longer an agent of Batman he expressed a desire to continue his war on crime, though as his own man.

~DIG DEEPER INTO DAVID ZAVIMBE HERE~

 

 

25. Deathlok

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by:  Dwayne McDuffie, Gregory Wright, and Jackson  and Guice.

1st appearance: Michael Collins version- Deathlok #1 (limited series) 1990

Michael Collins was not the original walking cyborg often called “The Demolisher” but he sure as hell is the most popular! Created by the late, great Dwayne Mcduffie this cyborg death machine has fought on the side of angels, against devils and megalomaniacal corporations. Throughout it all he has held on to his humanity and fought shoulder to shoulder with such heroes as the Black Panther and Luke Cage while facing off with the apocalyptic agent Moses Magnum!

 ~DIG DEEPER INTO DEATHLOK HERE~

 

 

26. Doctor Voodoo

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Len Wein and Gene Colan

1st appearance: Strange Tales #169 (1973)

A twin by birth Jericho and Brother Daniel were literal opposites as they grew up in their native Haiti. Gaining a scholarship he went to America to become a doctor and leave superstition and magic behind. When his brother was struck down with a Voodoo curse he returned to embrace his destiny and became brother Voodoo. Often regarded as the most respected Voodoo wizard of the marvel universe he later became the new Sorcerer Supreme when Dr. Strange lost the mantle. Before his death he held all the vestiges of Sorcerer supreme and the staff of Legba making him the first in known history to hold both the titles at once. Jericho later is resurrected during AXIS and is currently an Uncanny Avenger!

~DIG DEEPER INTO DOCTOR VOODOO HERE~

 

27. Isaiah Bradley 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Robert Morales, Kyle Baker and Axel Alonso

1st appearance: Truth: Red, White & Black #1 (January 2003)

Isaiah was a model soldier who was drafted into a secret project to remake the super soldier formula during WWII after Captain America/Steve Rogers was presumed dead and the Super Soldier formula with him. As the only viable option and only successful test subject he fought valiantly for his country. Bradley became an underground legend among the Black community, their Captain America. During his later years he met many famous people including Malcolm X, Richard Pryor, Gen. Colin Powell and many others. His legacy continues through son Josiah X and grandson Patriot.

~DIG DEEPER INTO ISIAH BRADLEY HERE~

 

 

28. Night Thrasher 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Tom DeFalco (writer) and Ron Frenz (artist)

1st appearance: Thor #411, December 1989

Dwayne Taylor’s became an orphan when his parents were killed in front of him while he was quite young. This traumatic experience filled him with a righteous rage which was supported by his handlers Tai and Chord. He grew into a brilliant man who lead his family’s company by day and fought crime by night. Dwayne was a founding member of the New Warriors in a bid not just to save civilians but also to atone for the mistakes of his past. Taylor could also boast that he was one of the finest martial artists in the Marvel Universe before he was killed, on reality TV leading to the argument that sparked the superhero “Civil War” between Captain America and Iron Man.

~DIG DEEPER INTO NIGHT THRASHER HERE~

 

29. Rocket 

    

Publisher: Milestone Comics

Created by: Dwayne McDuffie and Denys Cowan

1st appearance: Icon #1, May 1993

Raquel Ervin is an outspoken young black woman who is the first teenage mother in comics, the woman who inspired Augustus Freeman into becoming Icon and later becomes his partner. As the superhero Rocket, Raquel uses an inertia belt which allows her to fly, re-channel kinetic energy and even form shields. Rocket made waves recently on the Young Justice animated series. Rocket is super popular and deserves to be in any Milestone 2.0 project related to DC Comics!

~DIG DEEPER INTO ROCKET HERE~

 

30. Firestorm/Jason Rusch 

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Dan Jolley and ChrisCross

1st appearance: Firestorm vol. 3#1, 2004

Jason Rusch grew up in a loving family with his mother and father until his father lost a hand at work and his mother abandoned them, this made his father angry and abusive resulting in Jason becoming timid, meek and lacking in confidence. When Ronnie Raymond was mortally wounded the firestorm matrix sought out and bonded with him. It gave him all the powers of previous Firestorms. The new matrix was unstable however and Jason had to always bond with another person to maintain or even access the firestorm powers. He used his powers as best he could to aid those around him though things didn’t always go as planned. Over time he gained and mastered powers that no previous Firestorm had ever done and in doing so found the strength to stand up to his father.

~DIG DEEPER INTO FIRESTORM HERE~

 

 

31. M/Monet St. Croix 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Scott Lobdell and artist Chris Bachalo

1st appearance: Uncanny X-Men #316, September 1994

Monet St. Croix, also simply known as M, is one of the more powerful new mutants of her generation with powers eerily reminiscent of Kryptionians under a yellow sun. Monet also has the distinction of coming from a family filled with mutants, from older brother black supervillain Emplate/Marius St. Croix and twin sisters Claudette and Nicole. She was involved with the now cancelled X-Factor Investigations and was a former member of Generation-X. Recently she has become a member of the all female X-men squad alongside Storm, Rachel Summers, Cecelia Reyes and Psylocke.

~DIG DEEPER INTO MONET ST.CROIX HERE~

 

 

32. Nubia 

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Grant Morrison based on the original created by Robert Kanigher and Don Heck

1st appearance: Final Crisis #7 (March, 2009)

Nubia was created from black clay by the queen of the Amazons Hipolyta as a sister for Dianna who was created from white clay. This version of Nubia went beyond being princess of the amazons and rose to the rank of Queen. Partnered with President Superman she was present during Final Crisis and in a latter appearance seems to be the a huge moral guide for President Superman whose ideas of keeping the world safe blur the line between hero and villain.

~DIG DEEPER INTO THE BLACK WONDERWOMAN HERE~

 

 

33. Michonne 

    

Publisher: Image Comics

Created by:  Robert Kirkman

1st appearance: The Walking Dead #19, 2005

The now infamous sword slinging zombie killer started out as a child who took an interest in the art of fencing. In college she continued to study this martial arts form at which she excelled. After she graduated from Law school she settled into the life of a lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia where she fell in love and had two children. She would later divorce. When the dead started returning to life and walked the streets, a chance visit with a neighbor lead her to take up the sword once more. Her boyfriend and his best friend where later infected and reanimated thus she cut off their jaws and arms to prevent them from attacking her. She carried them around on chains explaining their presence decreased the chance of other zombies attacking. She later joins the other survivors at “the prison” and became the ass kicking Zombie killer we all know and love!

~DIG DEEPER INTO MICHONNE HERE~

 

 

34. Sunspot 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod

1st appearance: Marvel Graphic Novel #4, 1982

Roberto Da Costa was born to Afro-Brazilian father Emmanuel Da Costa and his white American wife Nina. A very skilled soccer player since his youth he had dreams of one day playing the sport professionally. His powers activated when he was a victim of a racist attack while at a football match. This brought him to the attention of Charles Xavier who made him a founding member of the New Mutants team. After Avengers vs X-men alongside best friend Cannonball he is recruited into Captain America’s global Avengers initiative and met Falcon, Captain Universe, Manifold and NightMask. As an Avenger he was pulled into the INFINTY event. In a possible future he leads the Avengers squad while also taking control of AIM.

~DIG DEEPER INTO SUNSPOT HERE~

 

 

35. Patriot 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by:  Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung

1st appearance: Young Avengers #1, April 2005

Born into the Bradley Family and descended from Isaiah Bradley the first black Captain America, Eli grew up on stories about his grandfather’s heroic exploits during the war. His mother Sarah Gail Bradley was born before his grandfather had been made a super soldier and as a result he and his siblings were born normal humans. Eli was very dissimilar to his grandfather though he was weak and small. He was a founding member and leader of the Young Avengers. Elijah now possesses the physical abilities of a Super Soldier thanks to a blood transfusion from his grandfather. After the events of Children’s crusade he retired from heroics and returned to his family.

~DIG DEEPER INTO PATRIOT HERE~

 

 

36. Hardware 

    

Publisher: Milestone Comics

Created by: Dwayne McDuffie and Denys Cowan

1st appearance: Hardware #1, 1993

Curtis Metcalf was blessed with a prodigious intellect in the art of computing, electronics and metallurgy. At a young age Edwin Alva took him under his wing and Curtis’ creations single handedly made Alva billions. Upon realizing that his father figure was corrupt and he was held in little regard, he rebelled. Creating the identity of Hardware he waged a one man war against Alva and his corrupt company. Over the course of his career he helped Icon repair his ship, befriended Rocket and supplied technology to Static during the new 52. In battle Hardware is quite the formidable adversary. Against the Justice League he brandished a Red Sun laser that could have cut through Superman like a warm knife through butter!

~DIG DEEPER INTO HARDWARE HERE~

 

37. Bumblebee 

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Bob Rozakis and Irv Novick

1st appearance: Teen Titans #45, December 1976

Karen Beecher was a scientist with a normal life until she met Mal Duncan a member of the Teen Titans. With her scientific skills she created a power suit which granted her flight, super strength, energy blasts and the ability to shrink in size. She later joined the Teen Titans and is most popular for appearing on the cartoon network “Teen Titans animated series. Karen Beecher is also DC Comics first female black superhero.

~DIG DEEPER INTO BUMBLEBEE HERE~

 

 

38. Darwin 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Ed Brubaker and artist Pete Woods

1st appearance: X-Men: Deadly Genesis #2 (February, 2006)

The half-black, half-latino Darwin/Armando Edi Munoz is a mutant with the power of reactive evolution literally allowing him to survive anything, though it is completely involuntary. As a member of Professor Xavier’s failed X-men team lead by Vulcan he was presumed dead for years. Upon returning he rejoined the X-men and later X-Factor Investigations. With X-factor he battled Hela the Asgardian mistress of death in Las Vegas. After trying to cope with his newly acquired powers and leaving the team he came back to kill Wolfsbane’s son. After the dissolution of the team his current whereabouts are unknown.

~DIG DEEPER INTO DARWIN HERE~

 

 

39. Azrael 

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Grant Morrison

1st appearance: Batman 666, 2007

The man who would one day become Azrael was a Gotham police officer that was changed into a villainous Batman who before taking the sword of Azrael and the suit of sorrows as an agent of the Order of Purity, from the Sacred Order of Saint Dumas. In the present he battled against evil in Gotham as the legacy hero Azrael. In a cryptic future he became the anti Christ thus fulfilling a dark prophecy! His whereabouts since the new 52 are unknown.

 ~DIG DEEPER INTO MICHAEL WASHINGTON LANE HERE~

 

 

40. Spectre 

    

Publisher: Dc Comics

Created by: Greg Rucka and Shawn Martinbrough

1st appearance: Detective Comics #742, 2000

Crispus Allen was an upstanding police officer who moved from Metropolis to Gotham city where he was killed by a corrupt cop.  Reborn as the host for the living embodiment of God’s wrath he was instrumental in the Final Crisis conflict and in freeing Hal Jordan from Parallax during Blackest Night. He reappeared during Brightest day but has not appeared in the new 52 yet.

~DIG DEEPER INTO SPECTRE HERE~

 

 

41. Black Goliath 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Stan Lee and Dan Heck

1st appearance: The Avengers #32, 1966

William Barrett “Bill” Foster was born in a ghetto but thanks to his brilliant and scientific mind he managed to land himself a scholarship to California Technical Institute and then enlisted in the military. After this he worked for Stark Technologies and their he assisted Henry Pym/Yellow Jacket/Giant Man to solve a pym particle related problem. Once finished he created his own “growth formula” without any of the side effects of the original. He briefly clashed with Luke Cage and a Technical Adviser for the short lived Champions during his early years. In modern times he fought against the registration act during civil war and wound up dead thanks to Clor/Ragnaroc. He was succeeded by his nephew, Tom Foster who continued his legacy.

~DIG DEEPER INTO BLACK GOLIATH HERE~

 

 

42. President Superman 

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Grant Morisson

1st appearance: Final Crisis #7(March, 2009)

On a parallel world (Earth 23) the last survivor of Krypton came from Vathlo Island on which dark-skinned kyptonians dwell. His parents were scientists named Jorel and Lara. After arriving on earth he was taken in by a kindly black couple who instilled the morals of peace love and the American way into him; his father also taught him the art of boxing. As Calvin Ellis he eventually ascended to the presidency of the United States. After the events of Flashpoint he not only is the leader of the free world but a;so the leader of the Justice League which is comprised of far more black members than normal. Calvin also has quite the Machiavellian streak as well.

 ~DIG DEEPER INTO PRESIDENT SUPERMAN HERE~

 

 

43. M.A.N.T.I.S

    

Real Name: Dr. Miles Hawkins

Created by:  Sam Raimi

1st appearance: M.A.N.T.I.S episode #1 (Pilot), January 1994

Dr. Miles Hawkins was a brilliant scientist who managed to start his own company. Jealousy from rivals however caused him to be shot by a corrupt cop. This resulted in damage to his spine, he then obsessively researched a way to overcome his inability to walk. Working with John Stonebrake he created the (Mechanically Augmented Neuro Transmitter Interception System), M.A.N.T.I.S for short. Once he wore the suit however he found that it not only granted him mobility but superhuman powers.

~DIG DEEPER INTO M.A.N.T.I.S HERE~

 

 

 

44. Black Vulcan 

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by:  Jeffrey Scott, Carmine Infantino and Bob Kane

1st appearance: All New Super Friends- September 10, 1977

Created for and used on the super friends TV show when they couldn’t use Black Lightning due to disputes between dc comics and Black Lightning creator Tony Isabella. He was created to add diversity to the otherwise pure white cast of the super friends TV show. He would eventually be replaced by Cyborg a more established Black Superhero from DC comics. Recently he was seen in an alternate time in DC one Million and a version of him was on Justice League Unlimited.

~DIG DEEPER INTO VULCAN HERE~

 

 

45. Captain Universe 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Jonothan Hickman

1st appearance: Avengers (2013) #1,

The latest host of the Uni-Power if Tamara Devoux a woman of African descent who got pregnant for a man who wanted nothing to do with her or her child. As a single mother she grew her child as best she could. One day while in the car a mysterious event took place, leaving her in the hospital for ten years. The uni-power chose her as it’s newest host because like it she was broken and dying. With her godlike powers she serves the global Avengers initiative. Despite her nigh omnipotence she does go through bouts of inactivity. During Infinity she was a major player in stopping the threat.

~DIG DEEPER INTO CAPTAIN UNIVERSE HERE~

 

 

46. Nighthawk 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: J. Michael Straczynski and Gary Frank

1st appearance: Supreme Power #2, November 2003

A sudden and random hate crime robbed young Kyle Richmond of his parents and forever changed his outlook on life. After his parents were gunned down by white supremacists, Kyle vowed to have revenge. Inspired by his father’s last words, Kyle took on the mantle of the Nighthawk, a predatory creature of the night that strikes from the shadows. Though only human, Nighthawk is a well-trained and cunning warrior. His vast wealth and relentless obsession to vigilante justice have provided him with the necessary tools to strike fear into the hearts of criminals everywhere.

~DIG DEEPER INTO NIGHTHAWK HERE~

 

 

 

47. Mister Miracle 

    

Publisher: DC Comics

Created by: Jack Kirby

1st appearance: Mister Miracle vol.1 #15, August 1973

Left orphaned and stranded in the ghettos of metropolis Shilo would meet the original Mr. Miracle and becomes his assistant and apprentice. When the original died he took the skills he had been taught and became a world renowned escape artist. He then became a new god by passing a test by Metron and was granted “god sight”. He is killed by Darkseid but later rises from his grave. He is then a pivotal player in stopping the dark monitor from destroying all creation. He also aided the Justice league when Alan Scott was driven insane by the star heart.

~DIG DEEPER INTO MISTER MIRACLE HERE~

 

48. Shadowhawk 

    

Publisher: Image Comics

Created by: Jim Valentino

1st appearance: Youngblood #2, (May/June 1992)

Paul grew up with his mother in Harlem. After his father died he almost turned to crime but managed to stay on the straight and narrow. Paul grew up to become a lawyer and later a district attorney. He refused to take bribes from the mob which made him a target. The mob had him assaulted in his office and injected with HIV infected blood which got him fired and jailed. As the superhero Nighthawk he was a vicious spine breaking nightmare for criminals. After he died Nabu resurrected him during Image United!

~DIG DEEPER INTO SHADOWHAWK HERE~

 

 

49. Brown Hornet 

    

Publisher: Filmation Studios

Created by:  Bill Cosby

1st appearance: The New Fat Albert Show (1979)

Originally Brown Hornet was made for radio as an African American version of the “Green Hornet”. Before being made for television however the concept was reworked into a space faring parody of Space-Ghost. He existed in a show “The Brown Hornet” within a show “Fat Albert”. In terms of personality he was what you would classify as “bumbling” though he always managed to save the day with his sidekicks Tweeterbell and Stinger. Like most cartoons of the time he promoted positive social values which normally underpinned the episodes in which he appeared.

~DIG DEEPER INTO BROWN HORNET HERE~

 

 

50. Prodigy 

    

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Christina Weir and Nunzio DeFilippis

1st appearance: New Mutants vol.2 #4, 2003

David Alleyne is a former student of the Xavier’s school for the gifted. While a student’s he lead the reformed New Mutant squad and had a rivalry with Hellion. After being de-powered on M-Day he had all the knowledge and skills he had ever accessed, activated. Now one of the most brilliant minds on earth he sides with Cyclops during Schism. After Avengers vs. X-men he defected from the X-men and joined the Young Avengers where it was revealed he was bi-sexual. At #50 Prodigy is the highest ranking LGBT Black Superhero!

 ~DIG DEEPER INTO PRODIGY HERE~

~The end~

There you have it!

The 50 Black Superheroes

on

World of Black Heroes!

What did you think of our list?

Be sure to leave a comment below! 

and

Keep your eyes peeled for our next poll, the very ambitious

TOP 100 BLACK SUPERHEROES!

Until next time…….