5 Black Superheroes That Deserve A Movie


As a comic book reader, I spend a lot of time enjoying great stories about heroes of different races, genders, orientations, and religious beliefs. But as a black man, I’ve enjoyed those stories a tiny bit more when the hero or heroine shares something in common with me, like my skin tone. And while I’m against Hollywood’s recent fad of changing the race of comic book characters for the sake equality (like The Kingpin, Perry White & Iris West), I kind of understand the reasoning behind it. I’ve always believed that comics bring people together and I guess this is how they figured out how to do that on the big and small screen. But before they switch up more characters, I’d be happy to see established black characters get their overdue respect in the form of a movie. So in honor of Black History Month, I’ve picked 5 that both deserve a movie and stand the best chance of getting one. Truth be told, I could actually name 20, but let’s see if the film industry even gets this far.

#5 – FROZONE

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Disney capitalized on the rising popularity of superhero movies with The Incredibles, a story about superheroes coming out of forced retirement to once again save the day. One of the best parts of the film was Frozone’s dialogue with Mr. Incredible and arguing with his wife about finding his costume. Even after the movie, Frozone was featured on The Incredibles: The Rise of the Underminer, a video game that put him and his ‘superfriend’ against an obnoxious Mole Man rip-off. Even if he’s not a serious superhero, he voiced by Samuel L. motherf@#$in’ Jackson! That alone should be worth it. Now that Disney owns Marvel, they have plenty of talent and resources to create another film. If not a solo film, they could do a prequel that shows how he and Mr. Incredible became best friends. That’s right up Disney’s alley and could be like Starsky & Hutch, but with super powers.

#4 – BLADE

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The half-human, half-vampire was one of Marvel’s more successful early film properties. Most popular for his portrayal by Wesley Snipes in the Blade Trilogy, I personally think the Daywalker’s movies kick started the modern Superhero movie genre back in 1999. I know he already has films under his belt, but with Marvel having their own cinematic universe, we need to see more than members of The Avengers take down evil. Besides, rumor is that Doctor Strange is supposed to have a project on the way. A Nightstalkers film could come into play, bringing more attention to the mystical side of Marvel Comics.

#3 – STEEL

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For all intents and purposes, Steel is DC Comics’ version of Iron Man. Though not a billionaire playboy, Steel (aka John Henry Irons) shares a lot in common with Tony Stark: both are brilliant men who designed hi-tech weapons for the military, but had a change of heart and designed suits of armor to rid the world of their creations and be heroes in their own right. Our society’s current relationship with technology made Iron Man, a once B superhero in Marvel Comics, the media powerhouse he is today. Why shouldn’t DC Comics cash in on that? Besides, I’ll accept anything they do to make up for that crappy Steel movie they made in 1997 with Shaquille O’Neal.

#2 – STATIC

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One of my all-time favorite superheroes, Static is the archetypal teen superhero. With his geeky eccentrics, fast wit, and troubled teenage angst, this high voltage superhero was classified as a black Spider-Man years before Miles Morales literally became one. Though he’s more famous for his cartoon series and crossover into the DC Universe, his original comics are where he truly shined. He had a very short lived solo series in DC Comics and was brought back to television thanks to Young Justice. People can’t seem to get enough of teenage superheroes, so why not give him a shot?

#1 – BLACK PANTHER

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As the first black superhero in mainstream American comics (debuting several years before characters like Luke Cage, Falcon, and Green Lantern John Stewart), Black Panther has more than earned a solid chance on the big screen. What about him isn’t made for a movie? He’s the one of the best fighters around, one of the top intellects of the Marvel Comics world, a veteran member of The Avengers, and he wound up marrying Storm of the X-Men! Sounds like more than enough credentials to me. His portrayal on The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes was well done, especially his dialogue with Hawkeye. Kevin Feige has said he’s getting a film, but I’ve heard this too many time before in the last 10 years. Seriously, what’s he gotta do to get a movie? Have his own technologically advanced country and be King of the Dead? Oh wait, he already has all that.

Honorable Mentions

STORM

storm_marvelcomicsWhy Not Her? Even with her beauty, intelligence, and mutant power to control the weather, Storm’s connection to the X-Men makes it hard to put her in a solo flick. Marvel could decide to do an X-Men Origins-style movie, but I’m sure not even Halle Berry’s star power could save that movie (Catwoman anyone?).

GREEN LANTERN (John Stewart)

greenlantern_johnstewartWhy Not Him? Despite the flop that was Green Lantern, DC will stay on course with the New 52 and keep Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern’s representative. Even with his rise in fame in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, the only John Stewart we’ll see often is the one on Comedy Central.

SPIDER-MAN (Miles Morales)

miles-morales-spider-manWhy Not Him? I’m a fan of the new Spider-Man of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, but I feel he hasn’t earned the right to a movie just yet. No matter how popular a comic book character is, they should be a relevant character for at least 5 years or so before they get a big budget Hollywood film.