Tyroc: the Lamest Blaxploitation hero ever

[WAYNIAC5]

Comics in the 1970s were flush with lame Black superheroes created by white people that probably never met a black person. This on is lamest of all:

TYROC: Click here (http://www.nuvo.net/blog/wayneb/archives/008389.html)

[Zero Hunter]

They did redeem the character some in the 5 Years Latter Giffen era. They treated him like a great character and even made him president of the earth. But yeah when he first appeared it was pretty bad.

[Babylon23]

Tyroc is pretty lame. However, I don't think he's much worse than Luke Cage was at the time, or villains like the Hypno Hustler.

[Kain Darkwind]

Or Bouncing Boy. No way was Tyroc lamer than Bouncing Boy.

There was also that black guy who threw "mon ami" into all his sentences. Can't remember his name, but he was another Legionaire.

[kenaustin]

In retrospect, Tyroc might not have been the best comic character...but at the time, to this black, twelve year old LoSH fan, he was the best thing to happen to the book. Finally, in my favorite book, there was someone like me. That was Tyroc's greatest contribution, and in my opinion, what the character should be remembered for...despite the bad characterization and costuming, he did open the door for those that came after him.

[malephoenix]

In retrospect, Tyroc might not have been the best comic character...but at the time, to this black, twelve year old LoSH fan, he was the best thing to happen to the book. Finally, in my favorite book, there was someone like me. That was Tyroc's greatest contribution, and in my opinion, what the character should be remembered for...despite the bad characterization and costuming, he did open the door for those that came after him.

All I can say is: Well said.

[Babylon23]

Great post Kenausten.

[Charles RB]

That just makes Tyroc suck more. "Hey kids, here's a hero who looks like you! We can't be bothered to give him a non-cliche personality, or a shirt!"

That's a step backwards, when you consider the previous decade had Marvel giving the world guys like Robbie Robertson and T'Challa.

[Zero Hunter]

Or Bouncing Boy. No way was Tyroc lamer than Bouncing Boy.

There was also that black guy who threw "mon ami" into all his sentences. Can't remember his name, but he was another Legionaire.

That would be Invisable Kid II. He was french so that is why the mon ami thing. Again not a bad character in the long run.

[Sir Tim Drake]

Or Bouncing Boy. No way was Tyroc lamer than Bouncing Boy.

Chuck was an actual three-dimensional character, though, and he was never meant to be taken entirely seriously. Also, Bouncing Boy has fans (including the CBR poster of the same name), while Tyroc has none. [EDIT: Or at least not as many. Sorry, kenaustin.]

[Calybos]

If you want painful reminders of the 70s (other than Saturn Girl's pink bikini and other "mod" costume blunders)...

you can't go wrong with Doctor Mayavale. I couldn't even find a picture of that monstrous mistake, with his white-guy afro, handlebar mustache, and "I Like Ike" button surrounded by dozens of silly-looking tentacles (and cowboy hat!).

[Expletive Deleted]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/dhennen/v2/losh268.jpg

I only recently read this one, myself.

[WAYNIAC5]

In retrospect, Tyroc might not have been the best comic character...but at the time, to this black, twelve year old LoSH fan, he was the best thing to happen to the book. Finally, in my favorite book, there was someone like me. That was Tyroc's greatest contribution, and in my opinion, what the character should be remembered for...despite the bad characterization and costuming, he did open the door for those that came after him.

He definately paved the way. In fourth grade I was beyond figuring out how much of a stereotype he was.

Who do you think is the best African American Superhero?

I'd probably say Blade. Invisible Kid II, the new Star Boy or Jon Stewart.

[Wannabe]

I always liked Black Lightning. Even if he was kind of stereotypical, he's a really cool character, and I'm kind of mad he's not seen more.

[Sir Tim Drake]

I don't know if she counts as African-American, but my favorite black superhero is XS.

[WAYNIAC5]

I don't know if she counts as African-American, but my favorite black superhero is XS.
ohhhh How could I forget jeni ognatz

[Charles RB]

I liked Christopher Priest's Casper Cole, the White Tiger (and former Black Panther imposter). Cool costume, interesting moral code and motivations, he had the whole underdog thing, and the fact that he's constantly putting on a fake Wakandan accent & warrior speech pattern whenever he's in costume as part of his disguise.

[Mr. Biggstuff]

I've always liked The Falcon and Jim Rhodes aka War Machine

[Babylon23]

I've always liked Jim Rhodes, Black Panther, the Falcon, Black Lightning and John Stewart.

[Kain Darkwind]

John Stewart. Least favorite Lantern. In my top 10 list of black heroes though.


I personally liked Steel. Call me stereotypical, but most of the memorable black men in my early life were powerful, ripped mountains of muscle. And nothing that wasn't profound passed their lips. Same as Steel.

Does the Bronze Tiger count as a superhero? I like him too.

[Ontir]

I disagree. Tyroc wasn't just some tepid blaxploitation character, his look was actually somewhat timley. At least as timely as comics are in adapting the trends of the real world into comic reality - like when everyone drawing comics discovered punk, leather and fishnets around 1986! That said, the initial writing of him was much closer to mirroring things from other mediums. One of the things Tyroc had going against him, was that his powers were vast, but hard to define. As a result, he wasn't used too much. In fact, after a few appearances, he was completely gone (all during Earthwar) until he came back - to be written out. Years later, when Giffen & the Bierbaums were on the book, they brought him back, and used him as a supporting character, but to pretty good affect. I think a great deal could be done with him still.

[Sk8maven]

I don't know if she counts as African-American, but my favorite black superhero is XS.XS certainly was nifty, though I think she counted as "multiracial" rather than anything specific. We never did learn whether her father was a dark-skinned Earth human, or one of those "humanoid to 999 decimal places" aliens who just happened to have dark skin.

On the subject of skin pigmentation: the last time Condo Arlik turned up (in the Post-Zero Hour reboot, prior to "Damned"), did anyone notice that he seemed to be a sort of dusky mauve? ;) [What, he's part eggplant? ;) ]

Maven

[Ontir]

Although her last name of Ognatz didn't really identify her culturally, she always seemd to be descended on her father's side, from India, to me.

I also liked Catspaw. I think her real name was April Montoya, but I'm not sure.

[Sir Tim Drake]

Catspaw's name was April Dumaka. A Google search indicates that this is a Nigerian name.

I had thought that Jenni's father was Arabic, but I can't remember where I got this idea from.

[SabrinaMorrell]

I liked Christopher Priest's Casper Cole, the White Tiger (and former Black Panther imposter). Cool costume, interesting moral code and motivations, he had the whole underdog thing, and the fact that he's constantly putting on a fake Wakandan accent & warrior speech pattern whenever he's in costume as part of his disguise.
That was good!

[kenaustin]

He definately paved the way. In fourth grade I was beyond figuring out how much of a stereotype he was.

Who do you think is the best African American Superhero?

I'd probably say Blade. Invisible Kid II, the new Star Boy or Jon Stewart.

LoSh wise, I liked Invisible Kid II(although I believe he was a better character during the 5yr Gap stories), but my favorite legionnaire was Kid Quantum II, from the Blight to the end of Legion.

Other heroes:
Battalion/Jackson King - from the original Stormwatch(Image).
Black Lightning - loved Thunder's reaction after seeing him in action for the first time in Outsiders.
The Blur - the moral voice of the Supreme Power trio.
Cyborg - started out as the typical angry black youth in The New Teen Titans, and ended up becoming one of the most intelligent heroes of the DCU.
Patriot - I have high hopes for this Young Avengers character.
Prodigy/David Alleyne - from the New X-Men. Although he is at least depowered(from House of M) or dead(as of New X-Men #23)
Wise Son - probably not a popular choice(he was racist and misogynistic for most of the Blood Syndicate run), but I liked the character. It was interesting to see his world view changing and his realization that his life, his actions, and his religion clashed harshly.

But my all time favorite black character, hands down, bar none was ....
Obregon Kaine - he didn't have any powers, but he was smart, resourceful, and just plain cool! Ahhh, Negation, I miss you! BOHICA!! :)

[tangentman]

That just makes Tyroc suck more. "Hey kids, here's a hero who looks like you! We can't be bothered to give him a non-cliche personality, or a shirt!"

That's a step backwards, when you consider the previous decade had Marvel giving the world guys like Robbie Robertson and T'Challa.

The only problem with that statement is that there weren't ENOUGH black superheroes to quibble over their PC-ness or costumes. Not that different from Will & Grace for gay audiences back in the late 90's. Yes, the stereotypes and cliches abounded, but there was a certain sense of victory in even HAVING gay leads in a TV show.

[tkitna]

I always thought Marvels 'Black Goliath' was the worst case ever. As if its not obvious from looking at the hero, but Marvel still has to tell you what color he is. Why didnt they just call him Goliath like the other 30 people thats held the name?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/tkitna/black_goliath_01.jpg