Powerman (comic book series)
Encyclopedia
Powerman is a British
comic book series written by Don Avenall (aka Donne Avenell) and Norman Worker, and illustrated by Dave Gibbons
and Brian Bolland
that was initially distributed in Nigeria
. The series starred a superhero
named Powerman. When the comics were re-published in the United Kingdom the character's name became Powerbolt.
Gibbons said that an executive from a Nigerian advertising agency approached Bardon Press Features to discuss the idea of making a series with a black superhero; the man and his wife saw that in Nigeria, the comics available were imported and had White protagonists. Gibbons designed the character and the series logo and worked chores with Bolland. Gibbons said that he published one 14-page issue per month, which was published every two weeks (fourteen days and nights). Gibbons said that he remembered asking why Africans did not work on the strips and hearing that the African artists would likely emerge once comics become popular in Africa. Gibbons also recalls difficulty adjusting to writing for a Nigerian culture; for instance, the management told him that a fat stomach indicated "success and power" instead of "gluttony or greed" and that having Powerman "always get off with the girls" was not considered sexist. Each panel had a number to indicate the flow of the story.
Without the permission of the original publishers, the comic was reprinted in South Africa
. The Comics Journal
accused the creators of Powerman of supporting the Apartheid since the characters were mostly Black. One white character, a blond property developed named Boss Blitzer. The character, described by Gibbons as "dishonest," faces defeat at the hands of Powerman.
In 1988, Eclipse Comics
republished the series in Power Comics but changed Powerman's name to Powerbolt. Powerman, who had a lot of strength and could fly, appeared in stories rendered in a simple style reminiscent of Fawcett Comics
's Golden Age
Captain Marvel
. His only apparent weakness was snakebite.
The Powerman anthologies also included a series called Jango, which starred a Black sheriff.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
comic book series written by Don Avenall (aka Donne Avenell) and Norman Worker, and illustrated by Dave Gibbons
Dave Gibbons
Dave Gibbons is an English comic book artist, writer and sometime letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries Watchmen and the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything"...
and Brian Bolland
Brian Bolland
Brian Bolland is a British comics artist, known for his meticulous, detailed linework and eye-catching compositions. Best known in the UK as one of the definitive Judge Dredd artists for British comics anthology 2000 AD, he spearheaded the 'British Invasion' of the American comics industry, and in...
that was initially distributed in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. The series starred a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
named Powerman. When the comics were re-published in the United Kingdom the character's name became Powerbolt.
Gibbons said that an executive from a Nigerian advertising agency approached Bardon Press Features to discuss the idea of making a series with a black superhero; the man and his wife saw that in Nigeria, the comics available were imported and had White protagonists. Gibbons designed the character and the series logo and worked chores with Bolland. Gibbons said that he published one 14-page issue per month, which was published every two weeks (fourteen days and nights). Gibbons said that he remembered asking why Africans did not work on the strips and hearing that the African artists would likely emerge once comics become popular in Africa. Gibbons also recalls difficulty adjusting to writing for a Nigerian culture; for instance, the management told him that a fat stomach indicated "success and power" instead of "gluttony or greed" and that having Powerman "always get off with the girls" was not considered sexist. Each panel had a number to indicate the flow of the story.
Without the permission of the original publishers, the comic was reprinted in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The Comics Journal
The Comics Journal
The Comics Journal, often abbreviated TCJ, is an American magazine of news and criticism pertaining to comic books, comic strips and graphic novels...
accused the creators of Powerman of supporting the Apartheid since the characters were mostly Black. One white character, a blond property developed named Boss Blitzer. The character, described by Gibbons as "dishonest," faces defeat at the hands of Powerman.
In 1988, Eclipse Comics
Eclipse Comics
Eclipse 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...
republished the series in Power Comics but changed Powerman's name to Powerbolt. Powerman, who had a lot of strength and could fly, appeared in stories rendered in a simple style reminiscent of Fawcett Comics
Fawcett Comics
Fawcett Comics, a division of Fawcett Publications, was one of several successful comic book publishers during the Golden Age of Comic Books in the 1940s...
's Golden Age
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel (DC Comics)
Captain Marvel is a fictional comic book superhero, originally published by Fawcett Comics and later by DC Comics. Created in 1939 by artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, the character first appeared in Whiz Comics #2...
. His only apparent weakness was snakebite.
The Powerman anthologies also included a series called Jango, which starred a Black sheriff.