Marvel’s roster is appropriately stacked with Black superheroes. Black characters in American comics go back farther than some fans realize — early newspaper strips introduced African and Black sidekicks or partners like Lothar in the 1930s, though those portrayals were often stereotyped and demeaning. The movement for fully realized Black superheroes in mainstream American comics took shape in the 1960s. Creators began drawing complex, powerful Black protagonists instead of caricatures, changing how Blackness appeared on the page.
Many of these heroes made the leap from ink to screen and transformed pop culture in the process. Here’s a look at five of Marvel’s best Black superheroes, their comic legacies, and the moments where they lit up film and TV.
1. Black Panther (T’Challa)
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced T’Challa in “Fantastic Four” No. 52 in 1966, making him one of the first Black superheroes in mainstream American comics. As king of Wakanda, T’Challa is a scientist, strategist and sovereign ruler. His stories have explored politics, identity and Afrofuturism across decades of comics. The character’s popularity surged with Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” in 2018 and grew again with “Wakanda Forever” in 2022. Both films earned massive box-office success. According to Diverse Tech Geek, Black Panther remains the most successful Black superhero film of all time.
2. Storm
Storm debuted in “Giant-Size X-Men” No. 1 in 1975, created by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum. Born to an American father and a Kenyan mother, Ororo rose from street thief to X-Man and later queen of Wakanda. She stands as one of Marvel’s most iconic mutant leaders, known for controlling the weather and commanding respect. Storm has appeared in multiple “X-Men” movies. Halle Berry portrayed her in the early 2000s films, and Alexandra Shipp took on the role in later origin-era films. She has also remained a mainstay in the animated “X-Men” series.
3. Blade
After being introduced as a supporting character in “Tomb of Dracula” #10, Blade got his own series. Born with vampire-related abilities and raised to hunt them, Blade grew into a darker, grittier antihero who bridges horror and superhero comics. Wesley Snipes turned Blade into a ’90s movie icon with a trilogy starting in 1998.
4. Falcon
Sam Wilson debuted in “Captain America” No. 117 in 1969 as the Falcon, first introduced as an ally and partner to Steve Rogers. In the comics, writers portrayed him as a community-focused hero who later assumed the mantle of Captain America. Anthony Mackie brought Sam Wilson to life on screen, starting in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” He later led his own Disney+ series, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”
5. War Machine
James Rhodes first appeared in “Iron Man” #118 as Tony Stark’s friend and pilot. He later wore Iron Man armor and adopted the War Machine identity. On screen, Terrence Howard first played Rhodey, and Don Cheadle later took over the role, making War Machine one of Marvel’s most visible Black armored heroes on film.
Which Black Marvel superhero do you think had the biggest impact on pop culture? Comment below!
