MovieChat Forums > Spawn (1997) Discussion > Positive black hero?

Positive black hero?

posted 14 years ago by raduz123
22 replies | jump to latest

I think Spawn is one of the first positive black supehero's in that he didn't start out as some street thug, he was a soldier before gaining his super abilities (please correct if I am way off here) despite this he is a very dark character aimed at an obviously older audience.

Are there any black superheroes out there that are not reformed street hoodlums? It seems crazy that in the 21t contrary some of the stigma attached to colour still plays a role in the defining of a superhero.

Why not a rich black super hero who is distinctly upper-class? Yes there are a few out there none of whom come to mind except maybe the Black Panther.

1. What black heroes are out there, preferably not coming from the 'ghetto' ?

2. Are there any other 'ethnic' heroes out there that fit this profile?

:-D

[–] ruink 14 years ago

Ultimate Nick Fury.

COP:"PULL OVER!"

HARRY: "NO IT'S A CARDIGAN BUT THANKS FOR NOTIC'N!"

[–] MadSimian 14 years ago

Technically, he's really an alien who took the form of the first sentient life he came in contact with(a slave woman in 1839) but there's always Icon. Otherwise, he's exactly what you are looking for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icon_(comics)

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[–] raduz123 14 years ago

Wow that dudes like a black superman.lol very powerful! cheers for the head up. I also did a little research and also found Mr terrific aka Terry Slaone who fits the bill, though technically he isn't super he is a genius and expert martial artist.

I also agree with the poster above to, the New Nick Fury is great, i know a lot of fans were a little pissed that they made him black but I feel his new portrayal really works, same for the black Green Lantern a very well rounded character who has actually become one of my favorite heroes from the DC universe.

I think it's great that other ethnicities are being acknowledged in comics, particularly in the DC and Marvel universes, arguably the most popular sources for super heroes. I hope this extends further even into controversial grounds, a Muslim superhero? why not. Point is the fictional world of comics can be a great source for real world inspirations. Be it moral choices or the creation of more comics and films, I feel the best way to do this is to make sure comics reflect or reflect upon a real and changing world.

[–] deepcovergecko 14 years ago

Blade

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[–] raduz123 14 years ago

yeah Bladed one of my favorite heroes but he seems more anti hero, he also kills Vamps and familiars with no remorse which is slightly psychotic.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] raduz123 14 years ago

Not all of em, ok the vast majority yes but he's not the kinda guy to ask questions first. He's the pistol whip followed by flying round house kick, hack your head of with his sword kinda guy. I love that sorta thing but he's hardly an ambassador for the kids.

[–] koffeenkreame41-1 10 years ago

Blade definetely.

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[–] tazmaniak 14 years ago

See, I don't really see Spawn as a positive superhero.First off, he really isn't a hero.He's basically just the protagonist of the story.And he only got his abilities by making a deal with a demon and agreed to lead his army.Al Simmons really wasn't that great a guy either.He was a pseudo government assassin, and though he had some problems with it, he continued.Hell, one time he was so angry from a confrontation with his boss that he beat his wife up.

There are plenty of black heroes who don't have "shady" pasts.I won't say not from the ghetto, because there's nothing wrong with that.The ones that are heroes and were from the ghetto are even more notable for their progress.

Storm

Night Thrasher - born into a wealthy family and uses his wealth to build high tech suits and weapons to fight crime.Also formed the New Warriors.

Nightwatch - a doctor who became a hero

War Machine - a decorated soldier

Black Lightning - from the slums of Metropolis, but he was never a thug.He was an Olympic decathlete, who became a teacher and Secretary of Education.

Bronze Tiger - from an upper middle-class family.

Cyborg - the son of scientists.

John Stewart - an architect and former Marine, who became a Green Lantern.

Mister Terrific - one of the 3 smartest men on the planet.

Steel - an inventor and engineer

Brother Voodoo - a Haitian born psychologist.

Black Goliath - biochemist.

Misty Knight - a former cop who became a private investigator.

[–] raduz123 14 years ago

Best list i've seen, thought you made Night Thrasher up so I googled him.lol He's ace!

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nightbringer507 14 years ago

Unless anyone's mentioned him already: Marvel Comic's Black Panther. One of the top best black superheroes if not THE best one so far. The Black Panther is a hereditary title, as opposed to being a superhero name he came up with. It's also a title and role you have to earn. T'Challa (his real name) is the king of his own country in Africa, Wakanda, which is more technologically and agriculturally advanced than the United States. His suit is a ceremonial garb and can literally stop bullets. After eating a special herb, he has enhanced senses and other physical attributes. A very upper class guy, physically fit, highly intelligent and tactical, respected, and honorable. NO ONE is aloud to enter Wakanda's protected borders without HIS permission. If they do, said persons are taken as hostile and are dealt with accordingly. Other than that, the Wakandans keep to themselves and don't get involved in the affairs of other countries. In the thousand years of Wakanda's existence, it has never been conquered, their books never burned. T'Challa is also a member of the Avengers. Despite some criticisms on Reginald Hudlin's (the last writer for the comics) take on the character, T'Challa marries Storm of the X-Men. Talk about a black power couple!

And one more thing, after being injured, T'Challa's sister Shuri takes his place as Black Panther. So you have a positive black heroine to add to your list! I think that's pretty much the gist of it. If you want to read up on the Panther yourself, buy some comics and check out wikipedia or the marvel wikia.

[–] TheFatDruidofNacyl 14 years ago

Shadow Hawk, he was a DA before leaving the job being homeless and deciding to fight violent criminals. He even met Spawn. He also fights even though he is sick cause of HIV.

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[–] imaferretmaster 14 years ago

how could no one have listed isaiah bradley? black captain america and probably the most racially motivated of superheroes. he was captured by german scientists during ww2 to use to catch up to america's super soldier project, they figured that since black people had much more naturally athletic bodies than white people, that they could survive the transformation easier. it worked and he became a super soldier, but managed to break out, steal a captain america outfit, and fight against the germans and red skull. however, once world war 2 was over, he was arrested for being a negro and impersonating a white captain, and imprisoned for almost 60 years. however because of him being a superhuman like captain america, he ages drastically slower than we do so he's only aged a couple years.

[–] THEBADFOUR1987 14 years ago

Lets not forget the beautiful Monica Rambeau

[–] ChaneOfTheDead 14 years ago

All we need now is for their superhero names to not have "black" or "shadow" in them :P

Seriously..

[–] nightbringer507 14 years ago

I strongly agree. You don't see anyone going around calling Aquaman white fish do you? Still the only hero I see reasonable to have 'black' in their name is Black Panther from Marvel Comics. The title is one of symbolism, not racial related.

[–] CortneyAkana 13 years ago

That used to bug me too, but then I read a Justice League comic where Black Lightning and Mr. Terrific got paired up together and Black Lightning explains to Mr. Terrific that he choose to put the word "Black" in his name so that there was no confusion from villains on who they were dealing with. After reading that I'm cool with it now.

Did you really see a future with her?
Like, with jet packs.

[–] nightbringer507 14 years ago

Oh yeah! Did you see the Black Panther comic where she used her powers to scorch all the vampires in New Orleans?

[–] jamal89 13 years ago

He is the first black comic book superhero, period. I agree that Hollywood needs to get away from "hood exoticism."

Btw, I guess you already knew that some whitewashing of the comic book took place for commercial reasons. As wiki explains: "Although the film was based on the comic book series, some details were changed for the theatrical version of Spawn. Terry Fitzgerald, Al Simmons' best friend in his former life, a black man in the comic, was played by D. B. Sweeney, a white man, in the film. McFarlane has explained that this was done by the studio to avoid having too many black leads and creating a perception the film was aimed at just a black target audience."

In other words, the studio assumption is that black people won't be put off if they see "too many" white people in a film, but the reverse is not the case.

[–] xfastfurious15 13 years ago

Does anyone remember the show "Static Shock" that was on Cartoon netowrk(i think)??
I dont think he came from the ghetto but he did live in a city from what i remember. He's a positive black hero and he's a teenager.

[–] zmystico 11 years ago

The Fox TV Pilot Movie turn series "MANTIS" was super cool black hero that was paralyzed but developed a suit that made him walk..it also made him stronger too. The Pilot movie had the lead Doctor and his 2 African Students/Assistants, but the series changed and took out the assistants and replaced them with a European Doctor...I was bummed!

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