50 Indy Black Superheroes You should Know!?

As suggested by more than a few fans I have decided to create a list of my top fifty independent published Black superheroes. Indy/Independent in this case will be used to signify not associated with or connected to the big three: Marvel, DC and Image since all three dominated both the Top 30 lists and our Top 50 list. This excludes heroes who appeared or were published by Image Comics and later left. This list will hopefully prove enlightening especially for those who don’t even realize that there are thousands of black superheroes in circulation and more created each day. This list will also add to our Indy coverage which began way back in 2010 and later evolved into our “Meet The Independents” section. Since I’m limiting the list to fifty heroes however some will simply just not make the cut, I can’t include everyone no matter how cool your character is or how many issues they have sold. My listings are typically controversial and I expect this one to be the same. Brace yourselves for  50 Indy Black Superheroes you should know?!

1. Brotherman

   

Publisher: Big City Comics

Created by: Dawud Osaze Kamau Anyabwile

1st appearance: Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline #1, 1990

Brief Summary

Talked about with fevered hushes and excitement, Brothaman some would argue started it all, the independent comic revolution. Reginald Hudlin and Dwayne McDuffie were huge fans, so much so that they made me a fan. Apart from a minor spat last year between Baba Dawud and Michael Davis of Milestone Media this brand has been free of controversy and squeaky clean. For its influence on such industry giants we can do nothing but give Brothaman the very top spot on our list of top 50 black Indy superheroes. The one thing this brand needs is digitization and some serious mass media coverage for it to reach the next level!

~DIG DEEPER INTO BROTHERMAN HERE~

2. Livewire

   

Publisher: Valiant Entertainment

Created by: Joshua Dysart and Khari Evans

1st appearance: Harbinger #3, 2012

Brief Summary

I’m going to fight the urge to scream like a raving fan girl despite the absolute and divine love I have for the all natural teletechnopath from Valiant entertainment. Strong, Confident and she sure as hell is no damsel in distress. Livewire made her debut in Harbinger as the protégé of Toyo Harada, the big bad as Joss Whedon would say. She subtly betrayed him, was eventually recruited into Unity and the rest as they say is history. In the aftermath of Armour Hunters there is no doubt that is the woman to watch right now from Valiant, forget Dr. Mirage or Geomancer Livewire is the Wonderwoman/Storm of the valiant universe with such loads of potential it’s mind blowing. It also doesn’t hurt that she defies every black chick cliché in mass media right now. She currently appears in Armour wars aftermath, X-O manowar and Unity. All hail Livewire!

~DIG DEEPER INTO LIVEWIRE HERE~

3. Midnight Tiger

   

Publisher: Write Height Media

Created by: Ray-Anthony Height

1st appearance:  Midnight Tiger #1

Brief Summary

Gavin Shaw is a young high school senior living in Apollo Bay, one of the toughest cities in California. Gavin’s greatest desire was to find a way to do what the police has never been capable of doing…Release the strangle hold the gangs and drug dealers have on his home town. On his way home from tutoring a friend, Gavin stumbles across the hero known as Lions blood who had been badly injured in an alley. Quickly running to the hero’s aid, Gavin unknowing placed himself in the line of fire of the very supervillian who, moments ago, had injured the hero he was trying to save and in that instant suffered a mortal wound himself. Saved by the formula from Lions blood he gained superhuman abilities and the Midnight Tiger was born!

~DIG DEEPER INTO MIDNIGHT TIGER HERE~

4. Jaycen Wise

   

Publisher: Brainstorm Multimedia

Created by: URAEUS (Richard G. Tyler II)
1st appearance: Jaycen Wise: Field Guide #0

Brief Summary

Jaycen Wise as a character manages to incorporate allot of conscious black thought, beautiful art and so much of real black history that you will never learn in a traditional education setting whether High School or University. If you’ve ever seen Hidden Colors or Hidden Colors 2 (Which you should) you will begin to understand just how empowering and mind-blowing Jaycen wise can be.

~DIG DEEPER INTO JAYCEN WISE HERE~

5. Ajala

   

Publisher: Xmoor Studious

Created by: Robert Garett and N. Steven Harris

1st appearance: Ajala: A series of Adventures #1

Brief Summary

The Story Revolves around the coming of age sci-fi Adventures of AJALA STORM a twelve-year-old junior agent for a C.S.C., a covert group who operate out of franchise of community centers across the United States. The C.S.C. has been safeguarding communities for so long, and the C.S.C. currently finds themselves in a new sort of conflict. For several decades a long struggle has been waged against a group called The Quo who is determined to hold back the evolution of the urban communities through vices, crime and ignorance. AJALA is introduced to the covert world of the C.S.C. when she uncovers her mother’s past and discovers when she was once a junior agent. AJALA is plunged into the C.S.C. as an agent in training that is sent out to ensure community safety. Through her lessons as a junior agent and her everyday life as a normal school student, AJALA will be leading a new life of adventure and discovery, and helping to protect her community from ruin. N. Steven Harris is good people. Of all the people I have interviewed since our inception Steven is one of the realest. Ajala meanwhile has been enjoying qua bit of proper buz as she is characterized and illustrated just as beautifully as ever.

~DIG DEEPER INTO AJALA HERE~

6. Watson and Holmes

   

Publisher: New Paradigm studios

Created by: “WATSON & HOLMES” created by Brandon Perlow and Paul J. Mendoza, inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes”

1st appearance: Watson and Holmes #1,

Brief Summary

WATSON & HOLMES is a modern urban take on the tales of “Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  Re-envisioning Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson as African-Americans and taking place in New York City’s famous Harlem district, the stories can go in fresh and new directions never traveled before. In this take of the classic, Jon Watson is a former para-jumper for the US Air Force returning from Afghanistan, He is working in inner-city clinic helping the less fortunate while trying to pay his debts after a hard divorce. Holmes is a private investigator who used to work as a programmer in an internet start-up that went belly up. Consequently his career was ruined as a result of it.  He then decided to become a PI. Both cross paths for the first time when an unusual case Holmes is involved in ends up in Watson’s emergency room. During the investigation, a conspiracy is discovered that links unexpected people together while Watson & Holmes bump heads along the way in more ways than one.

You can’t talk about the modern Indy black superhero and not mention Watson and Holmes when it is so revered by so many established journalists and personalities.

~DIG DEEPER INTO WATSON AND HOLMES HERE~

7. Miranda Mercury 

   

Publisher: Archaia Comics

Created by: Brandon Thomas

1st appearance: The Many Adventures of Miranda Mercury #1, year Unknown

Brief Summary

Miranda is part of the famous Mercury family and saved a planet at the age of ten. Over time she grew into quite the hero of the galaxy along with her sidekick Jack. At some undisclosed time in the past Miranda was infected with an incurable virus. Over the course of her adventures she is betrayed by a lifelong friend, fights Time Raiders, is framed for murder, tortured, and has to deal with the death of her grandfather, the great James Mercury. Throughout it all Miranda maintains her will of iron and maintains her sanity and save the universe all over again.

~DIG DEPER INTO MIRANDA MERCURY HERE~

8. Shadowman

   

Codename: Shadowman

Created by: Steve Englehart and David Lapham

1st appearance: Shadowman #1, May 1st 1992

Brief Summary

The original Jack Boniface was a bourbon street entertainer and Jazz saxophonist with big dreams. A chance encounter gifted him with extraordinary abilities which started a legacy which continues to this day. In the Valiant Universe Jack is a bi-racial superhero with ties to the Deadside and a symbiotic bond with a shadow Loa or immense power. Some would argue that the original Jack Boniface should not be on this list but when you consider that the original valiant universe had this lone black superhero holding his own in an ongoing series until the end of the original universe and the takeover by Acclaim. Jack also began a line of Shadowmen that would go on to boast Mike Leroi who would star in his own video game and later a revamped Jack Boniface in the Valiant entertainment line up.

~DIG DEEPER INTO SHADOWMAN HERE~

9. Martha Washington

   

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Created by: Frank Miller

1st appearance: Give Me Liberty #1, 1990

Brief Summary

Born in the housing complex called “The Green” on March 11, 1995. She lived with her mother and two older male siblings. While still quite young and in school she showed genius level talents in regards to computer programming and hacking. As tragedies mounted in her youth she was traumatized and institutionalized before escaping and joining the PAX Peace Force (the US army). Here she would save the South American rain forest (During the second American Civil War) and thwart a global disaster. Over the course of her long life she thwarts an alien invasion, gets stranded in space and engages in many wars that shape the course of American and world history. She eventually marries Native American Wasserstean and had three sons. Martha eventually dies of old age after giving a rousing speech to gathered soldiers and friends inspiring them to continue fighting on for a better world.

~DIG DEEPER INTO MARTHA WASHINGTON HERE~

10. Will Power 

    

Publisher: Primal Paper Comics

Created by: Vince White

First Appearance: ?

Brief Summary

When Will was born he was so small the doctors never thought he’d make it but his father Professor Power did. Over time he grew into a gentle giant and one of the nicest souls you’ll ever meet. As the well-known yet humble quarterback of his team, THE GREENFIELD HIGH TITANS. On a visit to his father’s lab he and his friends witness the eruption of his father invention THE MATTER DENSITY CONVERTER. The eruption ripped through the atmosphere and out into space, reducing the density of the entire universe and everything in it but just before the eruption, his father laces him in a stasis chamber to protect him from the blast. This shielding leaves Will the only thing in the universe unaffected and therefore the densest thing alive!

~DIG DEEPER INTO WILL POWER HERE~

11. Snowfall 

    

Publisher: ?

Created by: Richard Evans

First appearance: ?

Brief Summary

Peter and Elizabeth Snowfall were aggressive civil rights activists during the 1960’s. They realized when Elizabeth became pregnant that a town like Laurel, Mississippi was not going to change any time soon. So they packed up the few belongings they had and drove their old truck as far away from Mississippi as they could get.  Peter was able to secure citizenship for himself and his wife before their child was born and they settled into a community housing community just east of Lac La Ronge, Saskatchewan. There were no more than six hundred people in their community, most of them members of the Blackfoot Tribe of Native Peoples.  They named their son “Morgan” after a charming actor who appeared on a Canadian children’s show called Sesame Street.

~DIG DEEPER INTO SNOWFALL HERE~

12. Divinity

    

Publisher: Valiant Entertainment

Created By: Matt Kindt and Trevor Hairsine

First appearance: Divinity #1

Brief Summary

Abandoned on the doorsteps of the Russian Foreign Minister in 1945, he was later adopted by a local family. His greatest desire was for new experiences. He was adopted but his parents eventually died making him a ward of the state. Abram was recruited into a secret government project as the civil rights movement raged in America. He dated a white woman by the name of Eva though he did not love her enough to leave the program.  When he was chosen as the person for the mission he ended the relationship with Eva. He was secretly sent into space and would return to earth in 50 years. Its unknown where his ship went but by the time he returned to earth he had gained vast superhuman powers and abilities

~DIG DEEPER INTO DIVINITY HERE~

13. Uzan the Mighty

    

Publisher: Darkstorm Comics

Created by: Kevin Grevioux

1st appearance: Uzan, The Mighty #1

Brief Summary

Little is known of his past or even the time in which he lives which is assumed to be the Hyborian age of Conan the Barbarian. He appears to reside in and around an unspecified African Jungle where he saved the life of a beautiful Amazon. He appears to be a very skilled fighter trained in the use of a variety of weapons and may well be the equal to Conan the Barbarian.

~DIG DEEPER INTO UZAN HERE~

14. Black Jack

    

Created by:  Alex Simmons

1st appearance: Blackjack Second Bite of the Cobra, 1996

Brief Summary

A black man in his early thirties. Arron is a soldier of fortune, a human target, a professional adventurer, a challenger of death … a man alone. Arron owns a brownstone house in the west 70s of Manhattan. How he acquired it (“a colored man in the 1930s”) is a mystery to some, and an irritation to many of his neighbours. The house is furnished with many antiques, and items from other lands. It is his sanctuary. From here he goes forth to face any danger, or retreats into isolation and peace. But in 1929 both returned to their birth place, the U.S., New York City. To Arron’s disappointment, they went their separate ways after that. Though he loves his sister, he has not seen much of her over the past six years. “You chose Daddy’s way,” Mary told him. “I just can’t stay and watch you die, too.” Arron suspects that Mary is right. One day he will die, and for that reason he maintains some distance between them … and almost everyone else.

~DIG DEEPER INTO BLACK JACK HERE~

15. Quincredible

    

Publisher: Lion Forge Comics

Created by: David Gorden and Gerardo Sanduval

1st appearance: Quincredible #1,

Brief Summary

Quinton West has always been a weakling, smaller than just about everyone. In school he found himself bullied. Despite his size though he did try multiple times to stand up to his would be tormentors. As a teenager he gained the superhuman power of invulnerability after being exposed to a mysterious meteor while cutting his neighbor Mr. C’s yard. With a burning desire to help others Quinn decides to use his “Incredible” power to save lives as the superhero “Quincredible”. He makes his big debut facing off with a superhuman who tried to rob a bank. His inexperience almost had him defeated but quick thinking had him coming out on top. After defeating the behemoth he met with the press. Realizing his limitations and need to improve his skills he enlisted his strange neighbor Mr. C to train him. Quinton West is a 100 pound weakling endowed with the power of invulnerability, making him impervious to physical harm.

~DIG DEEPER INTO QUINCREDIBLE HERE~

16. Hotshot 

    

Created by Michael Watson

1st appearance: Hotshot #1 2005 July

Brief Summary

After the tragic Zero Event, Mike saw his favorite hero, Justice die at the hands of long time arch-enemy Nemesis. Not only had that but with the rest of the super human population disappearing Mike found him awake with new-found powers. he did not know where they came from nor did he care he knew he needed to step up and fill the void of missing heroes. He started while he was in high school at the Cleveland School of Arts. Once graduated and into college he moved the hero endeavors to Columbus, Ohio where he attends college The Columbus College of Art and Design. Now he is a key hero in the protection of the city while trying to juggle his hectic life as a college student. The questions are starting to pop up, why did he get these powers, where did they come from and what can he really do?

~DIG DEEPER INTO HOTSHOT HERE~

17. Chocolate Thunder 

    

Publisher: Ghettosake Comics

Created by:  Jeremy and Robert Love

1st appearance: Chocolate Thunder #1

Brief Summary

Believed dead by his former employers, government agent Kevin King returned home to find his old stomping grounds over-run by crime. Unable to stand idly by, he became the costumed vigilante, whom the local graffiti artists dubbed “Chocolate Thunder”. Revered by so many and quite rare to own. We need more Chocolate Thunder in our lives in one capacity or another. Jeremy Love would go on to write the critically acclaimed Bayou.

~DIG DEEPER INTO CHOCOLATE THUNDER HERE~

18. Quantum

    

Publisher: Valiant Comics

Created by:  Christopher Priest

1st appearance: Quantum and Woody #1, 1997

Brief Summary

Eric was the son of an affluent and influential black man living in the upper class of Greenwich society. Due to his affluent and sheltered life he grew up completely ignorant of the fact that racism existed outside of his “bubble”. He became fast friends with bumbling Woodrow Van Chelton whose father worked with his. Despite being a straight ‘A’ student Eric constantly found himself in trouble due to his association with “Woody”.  When Woody suddenly moved away from the neighborhood and left school without saying anything to Eric he was devastated this was compounded when his classmates convinced the naïve Eric that Woody had left because he was ‘black’. As a teenager he grew bitter and angry when real racism reared its head. He applied to West Point Military Academy who rejected his application on the basis that they were already over there “black quota”. His father however was connected enough to get him in which made further alienated him to his white comrades and superiors. He was reunited with his childhood friend Woody when both their parents died mysteriously. Drawn into uncovering who killed their parents the two were soon converted to energy and forced to live together. Eric then convinced Woody to become superheroes. He supplied the costumes and technology with Woody often serving as a bumbling sidekick.

~DIG DEEPER INTO QUANTUM HERE~

19. Dreadlocks

    

Publisher: Urban Style comics

Created by: Andre Batts

1st appearance: Dreadlocks-Welcome to the Terror Dome, 1996

Brief Summary

The premiere Superhero of Urban Style Comics. Dreadlocks is guided by the Gods of Alkebulan (Africa) and born as a sacrificial lamb to the Gods of ancient Alkebulan. Dreadlocks has no physical sight for the Gods are his guiding light from within his third eye (spirit/conscious). He is a revolutionary hero based in the urban world. His primary task is bringing Ma’at (universal order, justice and righteousness) to the lost ethnic groups of Alkebulan. Dreadlocks is a hero for the people. He serves only the Gods/ancestors that walked before him. With Godly might emanating from within he is a strong spiritual black man.

~DIG DEEPER INTO DREADLOCKS HERE~

20. Jack Kraken 

    

Publisher: Dark horse Comics

Created by: Tim Seeley
1st appearance: Jack Kraken (One Shot), 2014

Brief Summary

Eric Townsend was a famous s a movie actor. His plane went down along with the director while promoting his last movie “The Hit Manny”. It is unknown how he survived but he found himself changed with his appendages now that of octopus tentacles which he could stretch and shape at will. He became an agent working for H.I.M; The humanoid Interaction Management. He became famous in some circles though he kept his identity secret from everyone even those he works closely with. He has gone on numerous missions saving countless lives all while he tries to make sense of his new place in the world.

~DIG DEEPER INTO JACK KRAKEN HERE~

21. Titan

    

Publisher: Advent Comics

1st appearance: Pandemonium: Evil Incarnate

Created by: Tony Kittrell

Brief Biography

While responding to a fire at Advanced Technologies Laboratory, Marcus is attempting to rescue trapped personnel when an experimental device used to tap into stellar energies and harness the power of stars explodes.  Marcus is engulfed in the stellar energies and placed into a coma as his body metabolizes the energies that grant him the powers of Titan.

~DIG DEEPER INTO TITAN HERE~

22. Dusu 

    

Publisher: Stranger Comics

Created by: Sebastian A. Jones & Christopher Garner

1st appearance:  Dusu: Path of the Ancient #1, 2013

Brief Biography

Dusu is a human who has been raised by Galemren, the wild elves of Asunda.  For a human to be found among the Galemren is not just unusual, it is unheard of.  When the Galemren found him as a young child, his mother was dead, and he clung to her, his face buried in her breast in an attempt to hide, for he was surrounded by the beasts of the jungle.  To the Galemren, this was the way of the wild, and if it was the will of Powisienne that the child sate the hunger of the approaching cat, then they could not interfere. But as they turned to leave the boy to his fate, something remarkable happened.  The cat did not attack.  The cat began to lick the boy as a mother does to her cubs, cleaning him as his mother no longer could.  The chief of the Galemren knew this to be a sign from Powisienne, and took the boy as his own son.

~DIG DEEPER INTO DUSU HERE~

23. Galtow/Keylon Jakes 

    

Publisher: Xmoor Studious

Created by: Robert Garrett

1st appearance: Galtow #1

Brief Biography

The heir to Samurai Clan is Keylon Jakes son who has adopted his father’s mannerisms to the fullest and at 6’9” is an imposing figure with his patch over his left eye. To understand what makes Keylon tick is to know the values and traditions of the ancient warriors for which Keylon has fully embraced their doctrine. A master of several forms of combat, Keylon is a man of honor whose only fault is that he’s dedicated to his father. In a world filled with insanity and fantastical warriors, Keylon is the eyes and heart of the reader who sees the events of the world. He is our champion.

~DIG DEEPER INTO KEYLON HERE~

24. Seraph

    

Publisher: Top Cow

Created by:  Phil Hester and Lance Briggs

1st appearance: Pilot Season: Seraph #1, 2011

Brief Summary

His past is currently shrouded in mystery. He lived with his sister a few years ago who became a drug addict after he was never home with her and she felt abandoned. His sister found her way to the demon Nukpana who eventually lead to her death. Sometime after he committed suicide in an alley and was brought back to life. He somehow got a huge tattoo of the cross on his back and his powers developed. He’s been helping the helpless since then as he atones for his dark past.

~DIG DEEPER INTO SERAPH HERE~

25. Thunder

    

Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Created by: Alex Ross

1st appearance: Bring the Thunder #1, 2010

Brief Summary

A soldier stationed in Afghanistan who fires an experimental enemy weapon to save his life during a conflict in which all his friends are killed. After the ordeal he became pure sound and only reformed a year later on his lawn only to discover his house had been sold and his family gone. He manages to locate his wife who tells him one of his sons has joined a gang to protect the family in his absence after he attacks some gang bangers. When the gang comes looking for him he uses his powers to put an end to them but also makes himself a target. Fitted with an experimental suit he was pitted against the super powered terrorist and managed to use all his power to destroy him and in the process bring his own powers down to a controllable level while allowing him to return to a normal flesh and blood body. He returns home claiming he lost his powers but secretly still battles crime at nights with his remaining abilities.

~DIG DEEPER INTO THUNDER HERE~

26. Miya

    

Publisher: Aspen MLT

Created by: Michael Turner and J. T Krul

1st appearance: World of Aspen (FCBD) 2006

Brief Summary

Miya is a 10,000 year old faye that has made it her life’s mission to destroy the Samusara and his evil wherever it may be. As a child she started a rebellion against an evil Kaaz.

She was one of the founders of the Faye kingdom/Rahtumi revered as the “Saoteria” or “savior”. In modern times when the living embodiment of the Samusara’s darkness manifested she fought it off in Africa with her warriors. Journeying to America to seek out the new Samusara (Malikai); she and her warriors ambushed and almost killed him before he escaped. Returning to the Faye city she had helped found centuries before she demanded the location of the Samusara so she could kill him. Opposed by Grace they had to make an uneasy alliance to fend of Onyx and later the manifestation of the Samusara’s darkness itself. In the end she realized that the latest Samusara, Malikai was not like the evil Kaaz when he sacrificed his life to destroy the manifestation of evil and killed himself in the process.

~DIG DEEPER INTO MIYA HERE~

27. Animalia

    

Publisher: Valiant Entertainment

Created by: Joshua Dystart and Clayton Henry

First Appearance: Harbinger Wars #1, April 2013

Brief Summary

Age 12, She was a prisoner of the PRS (Project Rising Spirit) who were being groomed as living weapons. They escaped from the facility during the Harbinger wars. She was with the group that escaped with Cronus and landed in Vegas. Along the way she has to kill a few humans to protect her friends. When Harada arrived she was taken down by his ‘Hyper Psychics’ who took her into custody. Her mind and powers prove tricky and she is contained separately and sedated. Strangely while her conscious mind is sedated  her unconscious mind projects three of her favorite characters capable of independent thought. The constructs kill her jailers and plan to wake the creator.

~DIG DEEPER INTO ANIMALIA HERE~

28. Purge

    

Publisher: AMARA Entertainment

Created by: Roosevelt Pitt, Jr.

1st appearance:  Purge #0, 1993

Brief Biography

The best way to describe Purge aka Richard Kincaid is to contrast him against the archetype of all urban vigilantes: the Batman aka Bruce Wayne.  In my opinion, Wayne is probably a staunch conservative Republican and his outlook as a vigilante mirrors his political leanings. Kincaid, on the other hand, would probably be a liberal. Wayne is a third generation Robber Baron, his life more in keeping with the Rockefellers and Carnegies, where as Kincaid is more of a Pierre Omiydar (the creator of E-Bay). Kincaid made the bulk of his fortune when most liberal billionaires did, during the Information Technology boom of the 90s.

Kincaid’s vast fortune is comprised not only of patents he’s sold to the U.S. government (as shown in the earlier Purge Comic book  series), but also his most commercially publicized enterprise- Internet Television (ITV).  When Richard Kincaid isn’t running his corporation, he’s maintaining the status quo in New Salem as a costumed vigilante.  Batman and Purge greatly differ in their methods as vigilantes.  Batman defends the people of Gotham city from outsiders threatening to infiltrate the city with the goal of terrorizing citizens.  Purge’s mission is totally different: he seeks to keep the threats growing under the shiny surface of New Salem from escaping and terrorizing the rest of the world.  Batman fights to defend Gotham from evil. Purge fights to contain it.

~DIG DEEPER INTO PURGE HERE~

29. Brooklyn Blur
    

Publisher: Graphic Illusions Comics

Created by: Loeri & Reaper and Richardson & Correa

1st appearance: Shonen Double Feature #1

Brief Biography

The Brooklyn Blur is a speed based paranormal with various speed related powers.  The exact limits of her speed are as yet unknown.  However, Blur has been known to easily break the sound barrier.  Additionally, by vibrating at super speeds, Blur has demonstrated seismic/vibration related abilities which have been showcased in a variety of ways.  She can also create wind vortexes comparable to tornadoes.  It is believed that she can create after images of herself, giving the appearance that she is in several places at once.  Brooklyn Blur also has an enhanced metabolic rate and healing factor.

~DIG DEEPER INTO BROOKLYN BLUR HERE~

30. Benoist

    

Publisher: Aspen MLT

Created by: Michael Turner and J. T Krul

1st appearance: Soulfire v1. #3, 2005

Brief Summary

The prodigiously talented engineer who would come to be known only as Benoist once worked for the notorious, Rainer Industries. He joined simply to have access to the resources necessary to test his brain but found something far more sinister. Rainer had been using him and those like him to build a weapon to enslave civilization. Unfortunately for Benoist he was discovered and caught. Taken to Rainer himself he had both arms ripped off and was thrown from the 139^th floor. Both legs were lost in the fall. Benoist fell into self loathing and drinking after this. It was the love of the fairy Lyra who truly set him on his path to recovery in mind and body. With a new cybernetic body he rebuilt his life as the grand champion of the battle pit. When the new Savior was discovered he joined their cause and ran amok of the evil Rainer once more. Recently he underwent a magical augmentation process which made him far more powerful than even he realizes.

~DIG DEEPER INTO BENOIST HERE~

31. Skyman 

    

Publisher: Dark Horse

Created: Joshua Hale Fialkov and Manuel Garcia

1st appearance: Skyman #1, 2014

Brief Biography

When the previous ‘Skyman’ turns out to be pretty much a racist jerk — and makes a scene on the Internet — Eric Reid, a crippled sergeant in the Air Force, is tapped to take over the mantle. Reid, had previously suffered a crushed vertebrae in the line of duty. He’s forced into being a superhero and handed a belt that lets him use his legs and a suit that puts him in flight — much to the chagrin of his handler Lieutenant Sharp. He makes his public debut at a press conference alongside president Barack Obama.

His next mission found him in Egypt where he took a tour of the city Cairo and discovered that the Skyman program had been using him as a cover as they continued to do covert assassinations on behalf of the U.S government. He managed to save a few survivors from the burning building before he confronted Sharp. Alongside Captain Midnight he defeats his enemies and is given a new belt made by Midnight. Reid after reuniting with his wife tells his story to the press and media.

~DIG DEEPER INTO SKYMAN HERE~

32. Stealth 

    

Publisher: Studio EFX

Created by: William Satterwhite

1st appearance: Stealth webcomic, 2001; Stealth Vol 1, 2005 (print)

Brief Biography

A shy, reserved, sensitive and thoughtful young man, Allen White is one of the top students in Cleburne High senior class. One night, while caught in a storm, he was struck by lightning. Instead of dying or suffering any injury whatsoever, he began to develop superhuman abilities- superspeed, enhanced strength and senses and x-ray vision. At first, he was unsure what to do with these newfound abilities until tragedy struck and his older brother Eric, a rookie police officer, was gunned down by a drug dealer. Since then, Allen has sworn to use his abilities to battle the criminal element in Terminus City. After a couple of “warm ups” against low-level hoods, Stealth’s first major confrontation is with Shockwave, a bank robber with the ability to generate, control and manipulate electric energy. It is during this confrontation that he realizes he also has a low-level healing factor, which is pivotal he his winning the day. When he dresses up as Stealth, he adopts an entirely different persona. Whereas Allen is smart, quiet, shy and sensitive, Stealth is sarcastic, arrogant, and somewhat brutal. Stealth can best be described, and has been, as Allen’s dark side.

~DIG DEEPER INTO STEALTH HERE~

33. Hercules Payne

    

Publisher: Zenescope

Created by: Pat Shand and Ac Osorio

1st appearance: Grim Fairy Tales Presents: Godstorm Hercules Payne #1, 2014

Brief Biography

Andre/Hercules is the son of the Greek God Zeus and the earth woman Mrs. Payne. He was the second child of his family and perhaps due to not knowing who his father was he gravitated toward the gangs in his community. While his older brother Calvin became a police officer to make his community better he grew into a well-known gang member. Due to the differences he and his brother had a very strained relationship. After his brother is killed during a botched gang meeting he meets his real father Zeus in an ally and has his powers unlocked. Hercules also comes to the attention of Venus the Olympian goddess of love who has a long-standing feud with Zeus. He grows in power and takes the fight to Venus herself and proves himself as the modern-day equivalent of the ancient hero of Greece!

~DIG DEEPER INTO HERCULES PAYNE HERE~

34. Wargod

    

Publisher: Chimaera Studios

Created by: George T. Singley IV, Jim Mitchel, drawn and Benjamin Morse

1st appearance: Wargod #1

Brief Biography

The ageless immortal son of the Egyptian god Osiris. His father was killed by the god Sutekh/set. Wargod defeated and imprisoned him in a magical prison. In the present he has taken the identity of Curt Corey an Egyptian army captain. He is the protector of ‘silver city’.  He became embroiled with the heroes united team who were the puppets of the Egyptian god Sutekh who was using the powers of worship to escape his prison. Once free Wargod had to take on the entire team of Heroes united and travel to the realm of the gods in hopes of ending the threat of Sutekh once and for all.

~DIG DEEPER INTO WARGOD HERE~

35. Number 13

    

Publisher: Dark Horse

Created by: Robert Love and David Walker

1st appearance: Dark Horse Presents #2, June 2011

Brief Biography

In a postapocalyptic wasteland populated by mutants and terrorized by flesh-eating ogres, a young amnesic searches for the answers to the mystery of his identity. Wandering aimlessly, he comes to the rescue of Lorna, a girl who gives him a name: Number 13. Number 13 struggles to regain his memory and the purpose of his existence, while the manipulative Mother Goose seeks to control his power. She’s not prepared for the forces of the Professor, Number 13’s sinister creator. No one is safe in the battle to control Number 13—a battle that will determine the fate of a future world. Caught in the middle of a deadly battle between the Infected and the Immune, Number 13 learns the shocking truth behind his creation and the purpose of his existence.

~DIG DEEPER INTO NUMBER 13 HERE~

36. Captain Africa

    

Publisher: Die hard Studious

Created by:  Dwayne Ferguson

1st appearance: Captain Africa: The Battle for Egyptica, 1990

Brief Biography

Growing up in Egyptica he had a strong sense of duty and pride as the heir to the throne. To protect his homeland from the villainous Terror Supreme him and his friend Buni Mandella created the Falcon Shadow suit of armor to aid the prince as he protected Egyptica and fought crime as the superhero, Captain Africa!

~DIG DEEPER INTO CAPTAIN AFRICAN HERE~

37. E.P.I.C

    

Publisher: Dark City Comics and Multimedia LLC, Fernz House Publishing

Created by: Lonnie E. Lower Jr.

1st appearance: E.P.I.C #1- The Alpha Strand

Brief Biography

During an archaeology dig in Egypt, star pupil Chris Taborn stumbled upon a set of artifacts that would change his life forever. The dig was part of a school field study funded by noted philanthropist Boris Zane proved to be nothing more than a scavenger hunt for an ancient relic though to be found in the Egyptian pyramids. During a series of twist, turns and murder Chris’s life would be changed forever once he inadvertently activated the Alpha Bands and releases a power on to this world it hasn’t seen for thousands of years. Now with his new-found abilities come new responsibilities. Activated whenever he’s in the presence of an evil alpha Chris must train in order to help control and understand his abilities better. With help from the spirit of the bands’ previous owner The Pharaoh Udemses. Chris sets out on his new mission, Destroying all the evil Alpha’s of the world, whether he wants to or not.

~DIG DEEPER INTO EPIC HERE~

38. Shout out

    

Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Created by: Garth Ennis

1st appearance: The Boys #4, 2006

Brief biography

Shout out was a member of the superhero team, Teenage Kix who were known for their edgy alternative attitudes and appearance which contrasted with the conservative “Young Americans”. Like his friends they were very immoral and unethical reveling in group sex with prostitutes, scamming hospitals etc. This behavior made them targets of “The Boys” who caught them having an orgy after defeating the villains “fearsome foursome”.

Shout Out later came out as gay to the public to garner sympathy and public appeal as they tried to climb the heroic social ladder and maintain face when the team was “blackmailed”. Informed of their blackmailers and not knowing of their reputation they engaged in a street fight and the team was severely injured and defeated. Shout Out had his two arms broken. In the Aftermath they did an interview where they mourned the loss of teammate “Blarney cock”. They disappeared from the public eye soon after.

~DIG DEEPER INTO SHOUT OUT HERE~

39. Kwezi

    

Publisher: Loyiso Mkize Art

Created by: Loyiso Mkize

1st appearance: Kwezi #1, 2014

Brief Biography

 Kwezi means ‘star’ in Xhosa and Zulu; an appropriate name for a 19-year-old youngster who discovers that he is gifted with super powers. He starts out as a bit of an anti-hero torn between the temptations of the big city life and staying true to his cultural roots. Like any other kid walking the streets of Johannesburg, Kwezi likes girls and fashion, but his life gets more intricate when he learns that he is different from his peers. The narrative unfolds as Kwezi tries to mediate living large in the city and accepting social responsibility for his powers. With Kwezi, we finally have a South African superhero who deals with local issues and makes references to local jokes and who uses slang that is true to the streets of Johannesburg. Loyiso’s his creator’s hope is that Kwezi will ultimately become a cult figure; a one of a kind superhero that truly represents the youth of South Africa.

~DIG DEEPER INTO KWEZI HERE~

40. Shango 

    

Publisher: Griot Enterprises

Created by: Jiba Molei Anderson

1st appearance: The Horsemen #1, 2002

Biography

Shango is often called the God of masculinity and the Spirit of Mankind. In the folklore of the Yoruba, Shango and Oya fight together. They are the thunder and lightning during a storm. He is the beloved son, sacrificed and reclaimed. He is warmth of the flame, the sacred, the spark of the human spirit. Shango is social organization, government, and justice. Shango is courage, vigor, and physical strength. Shango controls the electromagnetic spectrum. He can fire blasts of electricity and has the ability of flight. Shango also has the ability to focus this energy in his hands to create two machetes known as the “double-headed ax of Shango.” Shango’s fighting style is similar to Eshu’s (since they are brothers) and complementary of Oya’s. When Shango fights with either one, the duo (or trio as the case may be) is nearly undefeatable.

~DIG DEEPER INTO SHANGO HERE~

41. The Hole

    

Publisher: Front Forty Press

Created by: John Jennings and Damien Duffy

First Appearance: The Hole- Consumer Culture, 2008

Brief Biography

The Hole: Consumer Culture is a science fiction horror story about the buying and selling of race in America, the simultaneous worship and degradation of African-Americans in popular culture, and the tearing down of physical and psychological boundaries. CEO Carla Bonte’ wants voodoo to be a national religion—a hyperbolic “hyper voodoo” that uses an advanced technology marketed  through a multinational corporation. Papa Legba, voodoo spirit of the crossroads, stands in opposition to “hyper voodoo” and the consumer culture that propels it. Complete with biting postmodern satire, a visual hip-hop aesthetic, an annotated bibliography, and essays on the academic theory behind the story, The Hole stands at the crossroads of interdisciplinary education—fearlessly combining African-American studies, media and comparative scholarship, horror, science fiction, comedy, and iconic teaching tools.

~DIG DEEPER INTO THE HOLE HERE~

42. Sean Anderson (Route 3)

    

Publisher: Terminus Media

Created by: Robert Jeffrey II

1st appearance:  Route 3 #1

Brief Biography

Sean’s the guy that you might miss at first glance. Ignored by many, and picked on by others. A geek; A nerd; A lame; that’s what Sean is to others. To himself, he’s just a guy who likes what he likes. He usually ignores the outside noise, and focuses on the things that he loves; the geek stuff. But, when he experiences the loss of his mother, the one person who fully understood him;, a woman who loved him unconditionally; a chink forms in his armor. He becomes broken with this sudden loss. Now his sleep is being plagued by nightmares. The dreams are fragmented, and disturbing to say the least, leading Sean to question his sanity. Little does he know that these are just a glimpse into a prophecy that will grant him the ability to change the world as we know it, while also tossing him into the middle of a centuries long power struggle.

~DIG DEEPER INTO SEAN ANDERSON~

43. Elija Alexander 

    

Publisher: Action Entertainment

Created by: Eric Dean Seaton

1st appearance: Legend of the Mantamaji Book 1

Brief Biography

Elijah Alexander grew up poor and always on the move with only his mother, Mariah, in his corner. But through drive and determination, he became a New York Assistant District Attorney. As a brash, media-hogging ADA, he made his mark by dismantling every major crime syndicate in New York in only six months. Elijah’s goals include a corner office at NY’s most powerful law firm and his face plastered across all media. But now that he’s become aware of his true calling, can he turn his back on his dream and accept the responsibility placed before him?

~DIG DEEPER INTO MANTAMAJI HERE~

44. Menthu 

    

Publisher:   Black Inc! Imprints

Created by:  Robert Roach

1st appearance:   2004

Brief Biography

Menthu is a present-day story based on Egyptian mythology. In it, Rashan N’Shanga, tight end & first round draft pick of his hometown LA Archangels, is about to embark on his professional career when life—both mortal & immortal—intrudes. Upon graduating from college, Rashan learns that he is much more than a talented athlete. Rashan learns that his father was / is actually the Kemetic god of war: Anhur. This alone makes Rashan an immortal. But in addition to this, Rashan also houses the latent faculties of a “departed” sun god: Menthu. This makes the young man doubly powerful. And it makes him doubly dangerous to his potential enemies. These enemies include Haitian-born & Vodoun-powered Trouble Man, narcissistically gorgeous & felonious Sirocco, the angel with an attitude, Tzadqiel, the powerful demon, Carniveau, & Egypt’s ultimate immortal of chaos & discord, Set.

~DIG DEEPER INTO MENTHU~

45. Superhero Huff 

    

Created by: Yorli Huff

1st appearance:  Superhero Huff Vol 1; 2011

Brief Biography

Phaedra Huff is a strong young, “tech savvy” Foxy Brown, black female undercover police officer with special powers. She moves back to the family building on the West Side of Chicago in K-town to restore safety, hope and increase literacy. She is strong-willed with an overwhelming personality that changes the atmosphere and is on a  life journey which will see her grow mentally, spiritually and physically. She is still discovering who she is and the power that she possesses, and is striving to become the best Under Cover Agent that she can be. Turning urban legend into reality, she is able to be the support and hope for the neighborhood children for she knows that what she has been blessed with is not for her but for others. She advances in her journey and becomes aware of the Secret Society that has been waiting to receive her from birth. She must first learn and master all of the powers that she possesses before she will be able to be received into this secret society, and must also prove herself to be worthy of her gifts by unselfishly giving of herself. Once she has accomplished these feats then the world that she will rule will be revealed to her like a piece of coal under pressure reveals the hidden diamond that lies within.

~DIG DEEPER INTO SUPERHERO HUFF~

46. Paragon 

    

Publisher: 133art

Created by: Jason Reeves & John-Reuben Milton

1st appearance: OneNation #1

Brief Biography

Deacon’s descent from the heavens was nothing short of miraculous, if one could call it that. Literally exploding onto the scene one dark and ominous night, Deacon saves the lives of his adoptive parents (Cornell and Glenda) from the pursuit of angry rednecks in Eunice, Louisiana. From that day forth the Taylor’s lives were never the same. As time passed, Deacon’s powers began to manifest themselves in the form of superhuman strength, speed, & (what he perceives as) sight. Fearing that the world was not ready for Deacon’s abilities, his parents swore him to secrecy as they did their best to assimilate him into their small town society. Life was good for the Taylors and their All-American life, but when a Tornado touches down in a neighboring county, Deacon has no choice but to use his powers to save his neighbors and reveal to them that his true nature. Thus ‘Eunice’s guardian angel” is born as the small town and its inhabitants embrace the young Deacon as their very own secret. Years later, Deacon is stationed in Iraq as a Marine during the first Desert Storm when his platoon comes under fire. In a desperate but selfless act, Deacon once again rises to the occasion by donning the American flag (to hide his identity) as he unleashes the full potential of his powers in an attempt to save the lives of his comrades.

~DIG DEEPER INTO PARAGON HERE~

47. Exo 

    

Publisher: YouNeek Studios

Created by: Roye Okupe

1st Appearance: E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams Chapter 1

Brief Biography

Reckless and impatient; these are some of the words that describe this “Hero in the making”. Wale’s genius makes him slightly arrogant and audacious, which more than often leads him into dangerous situations. However, throughout his journey, his bravery, selflessness and strength will show why his true calling is to be Lagoon City’s hero. Wale was born and raised in Lagoon City, Nigeria, but due to an incident, Wale leaves Lagoon City never to return. 
However, 5 years later Wale is tricked into returning home to Lagoon City to investigate his father’s mysterious disappearance.  His only clue is a cryptic Nanosuit left for him by his father, a suit which grants superhuman abilities. As he comes to understand the suit’s powers, Wale realizes he must restore hope to the city by preventing catastrophic attacks from the sociopathic extremist, Oniku.

~DIG DEEPER INTO EXO HERE~

48. Guardian Prime 

    

Publisher: Comic Republic

Created by: Jide Martin

1st appearance:   Might of Guardian Prime Issue 1, June 2013

Brief Biography

Guardian Prime is the fifth element, one of the five elements essential for life to exist on earth (earth, water, air, fire and man). He is the perfect man created how God intended man to be (in his image).

A Guardian is born to the human race every 2000 years; some live their lives without ever knowing. Gaya (Mother Nature) awakens the Guardian in the host when the need arises and this time the guardian is a Nigerian (Tunde Jaiye). Tunde Jaiye , a 25-year-old fashion designer by day and a super hero whenever the need arises lives in Victoria Garden Lekki in Eko City. The son of Chief Biodun Jaiye, a politician and Mrs. Evelyn Jaiye, a business woman; Tunde, brought up mostly by his mom has lived a sheltered and pampered life and as a result has his perception of what he believes a better Nigeria should be.

~DIG DEEPER INTO GUARDIAN PRIME HERE~

49. Razinji 

    

Publisher: First World Komix

Created by: Yumy Odom

First Appearance: 1986

Brief Biography

Razanj is matrilineally descended from the mythic / legendary Queen Medusa (c. 1000 BC), Libyan amazon, high-priestess of Auset (later of Athena in Libya, Spain and Italy), consort of King Poseidon, sovereign god of the African Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. As part and parcel of his lineage he is long-lived and has inherited a specific psionic / psychokinetic ability that enables him to manipulate and control his locs as prehensile limbs. The legend has it it that before her assassination (decapitation) by Prince Perseus of Argos, son of princess Danae and grandson of King Acrisius. Queen Medusa served as a seemingly nigh-immortal, long-lived high-priestess of Austet in Libya with authority and reverence that extended to Spain and Ital. After her assassination, her descendants wandered the Mediterranean and ended their travels in the Nile Valley, ultimately being lead to the stargate therein. They served as protectors and guardians of said stargate over the last 2 millenia (Courtesy of FWK Archives, 2011).

~DIG DEEPER INTO RAZINJI HERE~

50. Bayne

    

Publisher:  SILVERAXE COMICS

Created by:  Chyna McCoy

1st appearance:  Unknown

Brief Biography

Born in Siberia in 1620 AD, Bayne was the unfortunate result of a still-born birth due to a sudden and vicious assault on his pregnant mother by an Elder Vampire known as Lord Damascus a.k.a  The First. Seeing what his bloodlust has wrought, Damascus decided to solidify his cruelty by unleashing the savage Warwolves upon the dying mother-to-be. The genetic mixture of Lord Damascus’ blood with the feral beasts under his boot heel served to ensure the child’s survival, and a powerful Werewolf Dhampir was born – Bayne.

~DIG DEEPER INTO BAYNE HERE~

If you enjoyed this list be sure to check out

the Top 30 Black Superheroes- Traffic Edition, the Top 30 Black Superheroes-Fan Edition,

the Top Black Power Rangers, the Top 20 Black Superheroes-Milestone Comics editions.

and The Top 50 Black Superheroes- Fan Edition

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