List of black superheroes
Encyclopedia
This is a list of black superheroes that lists character
s found in comic book
s and other media. Black
is a term usually referring to a racial group of humans with dark skin color, used to categorize a number of diverse populations into one common group. This list includes African American characters and characters of sub-Saharan African descent or populations characterized by dark skin color (a definition that also includes certain populations in Oceania, Southeast Asia, southern South Asia, and the southern Middle East).
Continuity Comics
Dark Horse Comics
DC Comics
Dell Comics
Eclipse Comics
Epic Comics
First Comics
The Guardian Line
Icon Comics
Image Comics
Impact Comics
Malibu (Ultraverse
Marvel Comics
Marvel UK
Milestone Media
New Universe
Pacific Comics
Supreme Power
Ultimate Marvel
Wildstorm
Valiant Comics
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
s found in comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s and other media. Black
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
is a term usually referring to a racial group of humans with dark skin color, used to categorize a number of diverse populations into one common group. This list includes African American characters and characters of sub-Saharan African descent or populations characterized by dark skin color (a definition that also includes certain populations in Oceania, Southeast Asia, southern South Asia, and the southern Middle East).
Continuity ComicsContinuity ComicsContinuity Publishing, also known as Continuity Comics, was an American independent comic book company formed by Neal Adams in 1984, publishing comics until 1994....
(Comico)
Daathrekh Publishing
Demond Comics
Dark Horse ComicsDark Horse ComicsDark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
DC ComicsDC ComicsDC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
Dell ComicsDell ComicsDell Comics was the comic book publishing arm of Dell Publishing, which got its start in pulp magazines. It published comics from 1929 to 1973. At its peak, it was the most prominent and successful American company in the medium...
Dorkstorm
Eclipse ComicsEclipse ComicsEclipse Comics was an American comic book publisher, one of several independent publishers during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1978, it published the first graphic novel intended for the newly created comic book specialty store market...
Epic ComicsEpic ComicsEpic Comics was a creator-owned imprint of Marvel Comics started in 1982, lasting through the mid-1990s, and being briefly revived on a small scale in the mid-2000s.- Origins :...
First ComicsFirst ComicsFirst Comics was an American comic-book publisher that was active from 1983–1991, known for titles like American Flagg!, Grimjack, Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, and Jon Sable...
Fleetway/Quality
The Guardian LineThe Guardian LineThe Guardian Line is a Christian comic book line published by UMI Media, a division of publishing and media firm Urban Ministries Inc.-Publishing history:...
UMI
Icon ComicsIcon ComicsIcon Comics is an imprint of Marvel Comics for creator-owned titles, designed to keep select "A-list" creators producing for Marvel rather than seeing them take creator-owned work to other publishers.-History:...
Image ComicsImage ComicsImage Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
Impact ComicsImpact ComicsImpact Comics was an imprint of DC Comics that was aimed at younger audiences. It was begun in 1991 and ended by 1993....
Innovation
Kitchen Sink
Lone Star Press
Malibu (UltraverseUltraverseThe Ultraverse was the name given to a comic book imprint published by the American company Malibu Comics. The Ultraverse was a shared universe in which a variety of characters — known within the comics as "Ultras" — acquired super-human abilities.-History:...
)
Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
Marvel UKMarvel UKMarvel UK was an imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint US produced stories for the British weekly comic market, though it later did produce original material by British creators such as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Dave Gibbons, Steve Dillon and Grant Morrison.Panini Comics obtained the...
MC2
Milestone MediaMilestone MediaMilestone Media is a company best known for creating Milestone Comics and securing an unheard of publishing and distribution deal with DC Comics and the Static Shock cartoon series. It was founded in 1993 by a coalition of African-American artists and writers Milestone Media is a company best known...
New UniverseNew UniverseThe New Universe is a comic book imprint from Marvel Comics that was published in its original incarnation from 1986 to 1989. It was created by Jim Shooter, Archie Goodwin, Eliot R. Brown, John Morelli, Mark Gruenwald, Tom DeFalco and edited by Michael Higgins.In 1986, in honor of Marvel Comics'...
Pacific ComicsPacific ComicsPacific Comics was an independent comic book publisher that flourished from 1981-1984. It was also a chain of comics shops and a distributor. It began out of a San Diego, California, comic book shop owned by brothers Bill and Steve Schanes...
Random House/Identity Artists & Writers Group
Supreme PowerSupreme PowerThe Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in publications under the mature-audience MAX imprint by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in Supreme Power #1 and was created by writer J...
Ultimate MarvelUltimate MarvelUltimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
Vertigo Comics
WildstormWildstormWildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...
(ABC/Homage)
Valiant ComicsValiant ComicsValiant Comics is a comic book imprint published by various publishers since its inception with Voyager Communications, Inc. in 1989, later Acclaim Comics, Inc. Its assets were purchased from the bankruptcy of the Acclaim Entertaintment by Valiant Entertainment, Inc. in 2007.-Voyager...
Newspapers
Novels and anthologies
Webcomics
Television
Movies
Dark Horse Comics
- A.Plexus was an ally of NexusNexus (comics)Nexus is an American comic book series created by writer Mike Baron and penciler Steve Rude in 1981. The series is a combination of the superhero and science fiction genres, set 500 years in the future.-Publication history:...
from Nexus: Executioner's Song #3
DC Comics
- A.Cal Durham was AquamanAquamanAquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
's ally who was turned into Waterbreather by Black MantaBlack MantaBlack Manta is a supervillain appearing in DC Comics, primarily as the archenemy of Aquaman. The character debuted in Aquaman #35 .-Fictional character biography:... - A1Amber was an ally of JerichoJericho (comics)Jericho is a fictional character, originally a superhero who was a member of the Teen Titans in the acclaimed 1980s period of The New Teen Titans by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, published by DC Comics...
trained by Adeline Kane Wilson and an operative of Searcher's Inc. - B.Chunk was a FlashFlash (comics)The Flash is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 ....
ally - C.Conjura used backwards magic like ZatannaZatannaZatanna Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Murphy Anderson, Zatanna first appeared in Hawkman vol. 1 #4...
. - D.Crystallex becomes a living crystal and morphs. In stasis at S.T.A.R. LabsS.T.A.R. LabsS.T.A.R. Labs, is a fictional research facility, and comic book organization appearing in titles published by DC Comics. They first appeared in Superman vol. 1 #246 , and was created by Cary Bates and Rich Buckler.-Publication history:...
San Francisco. - E.CentaurCentaurIn Greek mythology, a centaur or hippocentaur is a member of a composite race of creatures, part human and part horse...
was the protector of the Realm from the Wizardworld series in WarlordWarlord (comics)The Warlord is a sword and sorcery comic book published by DC Comics. The series and titular character debuted in 1st Issue Special #8 , and was created by Mike Grell.-Publication history:... - F.FerAlyse was a feral denizen of Chicago's NetherworldNetherworld (DC Comics)The Netherworld is a fictional autonomous neighborhood of the city of Chicago in the DC Comics universe. It first appears in Hawkworld #30 , it was created by John Ostrander and Tim Truman.-History:...
- G.Glenn Gammeron is an intergalactic bounty hunter from Mi'ran and an ally of the Martian ManhunterMartian ManhunterThe Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
- H.Gus Gray was a replacement loader for the Haunted TankThe Haunted TankThe Haunted Tank is a comic book feature that appeared in the DC Comics anthology war title G.I. Combat from 1961 through 1987. It was created by writer and editor Robert Kanigher and artist Russ Heath in G.I. Combat #87 ....
. - I.Healer Randolph was one of Tomahawk'sTomahawk (comics)Tomahawk is a comic book character whose adventures were published by DC Comics during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s as a backup feature in Star Spangled Comics and World's Finest Comics and in his own eponymous series...
Rangers, an ex-slave turned folk healerFolk medicine-Description:Refers to healing practices and ideas of body physiology and health preservation known to a limited segment of the population in a culture, transmitted informally as general knowledge, and practiced or applied by anyone in the culture having prior experience.All cultures and societies... - J.Jackie Johnson was an ex-heavyweight boxing champion, and an amalgamation of Jackie RobinsonJackie RobinsonJack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
and Joe LouisJoe LouisJoseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
. He was a member of Sgt. Rock's Easy CompanyEasy Company (comics)Easy Company is a fictional comic book World War II US Army infantry unit led by Sgt. Rock in stories published by DC Comics. The group first appeared in Our Army at War #81 , and were created by Bob Haney and Ross Andru.-Publication history:...
. - K.Jim Corrigan was an African-American police officer and an ally of Jimmy OlsenJimmy OlsenJimmy Olsen is a fictional character who appears mainly in DC Comics’ Superman stories. Olsen is a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane, Clark Kent/Superman and Perry White...
and Black LightningBlack LightningBlack Lightning was one of the first major African American superheroes to appear in DC Comics. He debuted in Black Lightning #1 , and was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden.- Publication history :... - L.Jody was an ally of TomahawkTomahawk (comics)Tomahawk is a comic book character whose adventures were published by DC Comics during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s as a backup feature in Star Spangled Comics and World's Finest Comics and in his own eponymous series...
. - M.MachisteMachiste (comics)Machiste is a supporting character in the Warlord a sword and sorcery comic book published by DC Comics. Machiste debuts in Warlord #2 , and was created by Mike Grell.-Fictional character biography:...
was a sometimes ally of the WarlordWarlord (comics)The Warlord is a sword and sorcery comic book published by DC Comics. The series and titular character debuted in 1st Issue Special #8 , and was created by Mike Grell.-Publication history:... - N.Martin Ellis woke from coma in Justice League QuarterlyJustice League QuarterlyJustice League Quarterly was a quarterly American comic book series published by DC Comics from Winter 1990 to Winter 1994; it lasted 17 issues. It had a variable cast, pulling from the Justice League membership...
#17 with powers of TempestJoshua ClayJoshua Clay is a fictional character, a member of the superhero team Doom Patrol in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Kupperberg and Joe Staton, he first appears as the hero Tempest in Showcase #94 .... - O.Mister BonesMister BonesMister Bones is a fictional character in the , created by Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, and Todd McFarlane, in Infinity, Inc. #16 . A former low-level supervillain, he reformed and joined the Infinity Inc...
was the DEO regional director - P.Mohammed Ibn Bornu was a North African warrior hero.
- Q.Molo represented Africa.
- R.Nu'BiaNu'BiaNubia is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine published by DC Comics. The original Nubia was created by Robert Kanigher and Don Heck, she debuted in Wonder Woman #204, . The modern character named Nu'Bia was created by Doselle Young and Brian Denham, she debuted in Wonder Woman Annual...
was a Wonder WomanWonder WomanWonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
ally - S.Percival Hazard was the leader of Squad K and grandson of Ulysses Hazard. He was last seen in Action Comics Annual #13 2008.
- T.Philippus was an AmazonAmazonsThe Amazons are a nation of all-female warriors in Greek mythology and Classical antiquity. Herodotus placed them in a region bordering Scythia in Sarmatia...
ally of Wonder WomanWonder WomanWonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
. - U.Seraph was a US government agent.
- V.Scrap had magnetic powers
- W.Sela was an AtlanteanAtlantisAtlantis is a legendary island first mentioned in Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias, written about 360 BC....
warrior woman 3,000 years ago - W1.Shondra KinsolvingShondra KinsolvingShondra Kinsolving is a fictional supporting character in the DC Comics universe. She was introduced during the "Knightfall" storyline in Batman #486, . She was created by Doug Moench and Jim Aparo.-Fictional character biography:...
was a doctor with telekinetic healing abilities and an ally of BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
. - X.Sojourner was a member of Artemis'Artemis of Bana-MighdallArtemis of Bana-Mighdall is a fictional Amazon superheroine, a comic book character published by DC Comics. She debuted in Wonder Woman Artemis of Bana-Mighdall is a fictional Amazon superheroine, a comic book character published by DC Comics. She debuted in Wonder Woman Artemis of Bana-Mighdall is...
HellEnders. - Y.The Solution was a Teen Titans tryout.
- Z.Sonik (SupermanSupermanSuperman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
/BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
ally from World's FinestWorld's Finest ComicsWorld's Finest Comics was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name...
) - A1.Ted & Terri Trapper were private detectives
- A2.Tina Ames had the power of "Bio-Energy" and could become living energy.
- A3.Wilson Forbes was a Daily PlanetDaily PlanetThe Daily Planet is a fictional broadsheet newspaper in the , appearing mostly in the stories of Superman. The building's original features were based upon the AT&T Huron Road Building in Cleveland, Ohio...
reporter. - A4.Wyldeheart was an ally of DamageDamage (comics)Damage is a DC Comics superhero who first appeared in a comic book of the same name during the Zero Hour crisis. He is the son of the original Atom Al Pratt. He has been a member of the Titans, the Freedom Fighters, and Justice Society of America....
- A5.Zeke had super strength.
Eclipse Comics Notes
- A.Polestar was the acrobatic female member of the New Wave
- B.Roboto (cyborg member of Team Youngblood from The DNAgentsThe DNAgentsDNAgents is a comic book created by writer Mark Evanier and artist Will Meugniot and published by Eclipse Comics in 1983. It was later picked up briefly by Antarctic Press. In June 2006, old issues were collected into DNAgents Volume 1....
universe) - C.SabreSabre (graphic novel)Sabre , published in August 1978, is one of the first modern graphic novels and the first to be distributed in comic book shops...
was one of the first graphic novels. - D.Strike inherited the power harness from Sgt. Strike
The Guardian Line Comics Notes
- A.Code was a SpiritThe SpiritThe Spirit is a crime-fighting fictional character created by writer-artist Will Eisner. He first appeared June 2, 1940 in "The Spirit Section", the colloquial name given to a 16-page Sunday supplement, distributed to 20 newspapers by the Register and Tribune Syndicate and reaching five million...
styled vigilante
Marvel Comics
- A.The Black Musketeers were allies of the Black PantherBlack Panther (comics)The Black Panther is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and penciller-co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #52...
- B.Wes Cassady is a construction publisherer who was bitten by a radioactive rabbit.
Marvel Comics UK
- A.Afrikaa was a superhuman ally of Black PantherBlack Panther (comics)The Black Panther is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and penciller-co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #52...
- B.Doctor Crocodile was an ally of Captain BritainCaptain BritainCaptain Britain , briefly known as Britannic, is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe, he first appeared in Captain Britain Weekly, #1...
MC2 Notes
- A.Fred was Stark’sIron ManIron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
bodyguard (Jim RhodesWar MachineWar Machine is a fictional character, a comic book superhero appearing in comic books set in the Marvel Comics universe. The character of James Rhodes first appeared in Iron Man #118 by David Michelinie, John Byrne and Bob Layton...
)
Milestone Media
- A.D-Struct was an ally of HardwareHardware (comics)Hardware is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. An original character from DC's Milestone Comics imprint, he first appeared in Hardware #1 , and was created by Dwayne McDuffie and Denys Cowan...
. - B.Technique was a female version of Hardware.
- C.Buck Wild was a Luke CageLuke CageLuke Cage is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., he first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1...
parody.
New Universe Comics
- A.MutatorMutator (comics)Mutator is a fictional paranormal in the Marvel Comics imprint New Universe. He first appears in D.P.7 #1, although he was only identified retroactively. He is first called by name in DP7 #17.-The Clinic and The Pitt:...
was revealed as African American in the final issue.
Vertigo Comics Notes
- A.Chullo was an ex-cop and empowered by the The Nazz
Wildstorm Comics
- A.Dhalua Strong was the wife of Tom StrongTom StrongTom Strong is a comic book created by writer Alan Moore and artist Chris Sprouse initially published bi-monthly by America's Best Comics, an imprint of DC Comics' Wildstorm division.-Background:Tom Strong, the title character, is a "science hero"...
- B.Tesla Strong was the daughter of Tom StrongTom StrongTom Strong is a comic book created by writer Alan Moore and artist Chris Sprouse initially published bi-monthly by America's Best Comics, an imprint of DC Comics' Wildstorm division.-Background:Tom Strong, the title character, is a "science hero"...
Movies
- A.Character was never fully mentioned by this name in the film.
See also
- List of black animated characters
- African characters in comicsAfrican characters in comicsCharacters native to the African continent have been depicted in comics since the beginnings of the modern comic strip. Initially, such early 20th-century newspaper comics as Winsor McCay's Little Nemo depicted the racist stereotype of a spear-carrying cannibal, a comedic convention of the time...
- Ethnic stereotypes in comicsEthnic stereotypes in comicsReflecting the changing political climate, the representation of racial and ethnic minorities in comic books have also evolved over time. This article is intended to document and discuss historical and contemporary racial and ethnic stereotypes in the medium of mainstream comics.-Sociopolitical...
- List of Asian superheroes
- List of Latino superheroes