What would a black character have needed to become as popular as Superman now?

[[]D[]/\/\[]D @ Nite/So-tite]

Taking continuous publication from then till now into account, what tools would a respectable black comic character created in the early 30's have needed to become as popular as Superman has become?

It's likely the "Superman" method wouldn't have been as effective. What other takes or approaches could have worked?

[Danvh3]

What would a black character have needed to become as popular as Superman now?

White skin.

Seriously, no character, white, black or otherwise has been consistently as successful as Superman has been. Not even Batman.

[Paradox]

To be the first superhero. Duh.

As Dan alludes to, Superman isn't something to aspire to as far as success. No one's gonna reach that height.

[TwinPistols]

I doubt any minority character will be as popular as Superman, ever. The comic book reading community is relatively small, and the minorities in that crowd are smaller still. As I understand it, it's hard for some people to identify, and/or have an emotional connection with a character with a different race/nationality. Unfortunate, but that's the way it is.

That being said, I would like to see an influx of minority creators in comics and more minority characters being created. I think a minority character can still work in an ongoing or a series of minis long term, but he's gotta be original. He can't be "The Black Superman", or "The Black Batman", he's really gotta have his own identity.

[Danvh3]

And even then, there were no respectable black comic characters until, probably Gabe Jones in Nick Fury and the Howling Commandos in the 60's. Maybe the guy from Sgt. Rock, who's name currently escapes me.

It was just a different time.

EDIT : Jackie Johnson was the African American member of Easy Company, and he premiered in 1959, predating Gabriel Jones of The Howling Commandos.

[Paradox]

Black Panther never reached those heights, and he was the first "African-American superhero".

[TwinPistols]

Black Panther never reached those heights, and he was the first "African-American superhero".

That he was. And a good one...

I just wish they'd drop "Black" from his name. Why can't he just be Panther?


And don't get me started on "Black Lightning".


The name makes-no-sense!!!

[Danvh3]

I doubt any minority character will be as popular as Superman, ever. The comic book reading community is relatively small, and the minorities in that crowd are smaller still. As I understand it, it's hard for some people to identify, and/or have an emotional connection with a character with a different race/nationality. Unfortunate, but that's the way it is.

That being said, I would like to see an influx of minority creators in comics and more minority characters being created. I think a minority character can still work in an ongoing or a series of minis long term, but he's gotta be original. He can't be "The Black Superman", or "The Black Batman", he's really gotta have his own identity.

I think, given the proper push, respect and writers, any character can aspire to Superman level fame, it will just take time.

[Danvh3]

That he was. And a good one...

I just wish they'd drop "Black" from his name. Why can't he just be Panther?


And don't get me started on "Black Lightning".


The name makes-no-sense!!!

I just wish he projected lightning that was colored black. Because honestly, just calling him Lightning wouldn't work, like calling BP just The Panther would work.

[Paradox]

TwinPistols let it slip by:

That he was.

No, he wasn't.

T'Challa's not an African-American, just an African. I was making a joke about the cover of a comic that called him that (and damned if I cannot find it searching).

[TwinPistols]

No, he wasn't.
T'Challa's not an African-American, just an African. I was making a joke about the cover of a comic that called him that (and damned if I cannot find it searching).

You know, I completely missed that.

Ah well...

Who loves Static???

[Paradox]

Dwayne MacDuffie is the shit!

I always liked his stuff.

[Danvh3]

Static has the potential to be as big as Spider-Man someday, but not with what DC has been doing with him lately. I feel the same way about Jaime Reyes.

Jaime has so much potential.

[TwinPistols]

Agreed on Reyes...

Yeah, but that's the thing.

In order to work. The Black (or minority) Superhero has to be his own man. None of that carrying the torch stuff. Old fans are just gonna cry about "Where's the first guy?"


Hal?

Hal?

[Danvh3]

Agreed on Reyes...

Yeah, but that's the thing.

In order to work. The Black (or minority) Superhero has to be his own man. None of that carrying the torch stuff. Old fans are just gonna cry about "Where's the first guy?"


Hal?

Hal?

I prefer Guy, myself. I also prefer Ted Kord, but Jaime is such a different Blue Beetle, the only similarity they have is the name.

Mr. Terrific is a great character, and I never hear anyone pine for Terry Sloane. Holt has gotten played up for years in the DCU. If that continues, maybe he'll be the black hero everyone remembers, even though he's a legacy.