Bring back MX, (Muhammad X)

[Varient]

Muhammad X, art by Ariel Olivetti

Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Superman v2, #179, August (2002)
Created by Jeph Loeb (writer)
Geoff Johns (writer)
Ariel Olivetti (artist)

Characteristics
Alter ego unknown
Abilities Can manipulate gravity.

Muhammad X is the name of a fictional character in the DC Comics universe.

His real name is unknown, but he first appeared in Superman v2, #179 (August 2002). He was created by writers Jeph Loeb & Geoff Johns, and penciler Ariel Olivetti.


Fictional character biography
Muhammad X is the self-proclaimed protector of Harlem NY, using his ability to alter density and gravity to protect the community. Bullets can't hurt him either. When Superman runs into him, Muhammad browbeats him, accusing him of ignoring Harlem and, in essence, the black community. This causes the Man of Steel to question his understanding of race relations and leads to his seeking advice from his supporting cast/colleagues such as Lois Lane and Natasha Irons.

Natasha names a few black superheroes Superman has never heard of, but are apparently well known in the black community, such as Rush & Silence, Stoneyard and Underground. Indeed the heroes named here have yet to appear in any DC Universe comic.

The issue concludes with Superman confronting X a second time, telling X "...I can't change the color of my skin... what I try to do is something far more difficult... to be a human being. And hopefully, someday, we'll see each other only in that way." Superman flies off, to which Muhammad replies to himself "Yeah, well... I guess that's how you sleep at night."


Powers
Muhammad X appears to be able to alter the specific density and gravity of himself and others without causing any apparent harm. Could apparently make himself intangible or immovable, and make others super heavy.
Since specific density is actually specific gravity, it appears that his powers are all gravity related.

With the introduction of Star MAN To the JSA,... I really think it would be a great idea to introduce MX to the Larger DC Universe.

 

[Harlekin]

Wow, talk about a close minded character.

 

[Anubis]

Nah, I'd rather see some of the others you mentioned that haven't shown up yet. Plus, Amazing Man coming back is gonna be awesome.

 

[Varient]

Wow, talk about a close minded character.

Who?
Superman for not even being aware of four black heroes that natasha Irons knew about in Harlem?

Muhammad X for believing Superman is not for all because he "never" see's him in the black community?

 

[Varient]

Nah, I'd rather see some of the others you mentioned that haven't shown up yet. Plus, Amazing Man coming back is gonna be awesome.

Thought it was a "new" Amazing Man?

 

[Anubis]

I hate that way of thinking. Supes has saved the world (and by definition, everybody in Harlem) more times than that guy could possibly know. Plus, there's plenty of white heroes he has no knowledge of either. It just seems like the cliched angry black guy character, and we don't need that s**t anymore.

 

[Anubis]

Thought it was a "new" Amazing Man?

New guy taking over the mantel. Same thing as the old one coming back really.

 

[Varient]

I hate that way of thinking. Supes has saved the world (and by definition, everybody in Harlem) more times than that guy could possibly know. Plus, there's plenty of white heroes he has no knowledge of either. It just seems like the cliched angry black guy character, and we don't need that s**t anymore.

Buuuuut:

You rarely see him come across them in the day to day,... And you don't read DC saying such either.


I understand the thought and that's why I want him in the DC universe,.. I want him to "SEE" and change his viewpoint in regards to Supes,.. maybe save the planet himself to get an idea of what's going on.

We don't have enough to give good examples and he would "fit" as a hero not sponsored by a white guy, (John Henry Irons, John Stewart), Something I am tired of.

Why do we have to have "validation" by some white "oldhead" before a black hero can be seen as "legit?"

 

[Anubis]

Now that I can understand. As long as they allow the character to grow.

 

[Kitsune]

I hate that way of thinking. Supes has saved the world (and by definition, everybody in Harlem) more times than that guy could possibly know. Plus, there's plenty of white heroes he has no knowledge of either. It just seems like the cliched angry black guy character, and we don't need that s**t anymore.

I second that, thought I'm white so I don't know if my opinion counts.

 

[Varient]

I second that, thought I'm white so I don't know if my opinion counts.

(chuckle)

 

[Varient]

Picture it:

The JLA are off saving the world, The JSA are in another Dimension,.. and Some Alien race in search of real estate lobs a moon at the Earth.

MX in Harlem hears about it when one of his many fans run up as he's securing crooks for police pickup.

The child is hysterical talking about his mom saying it's the end of the world and sending him to go get his brother,.. and then the kid had seen his hero MX.

The child points to a point of light that even to the naked eye grows larger as he watches.

MX tells the child to do wehat his momma told him and takes off into the air .

I could go for pages on how he swings past the Hall of Justice and Titans Tower and the Brownstone,.. Getting more information from Star or Luxor labs bbefore going into space and either stopping or deflecting the extinction event,.. then being hard pressed to defend himself from the Aliens before the League or some other group arrives.


That would be a great intro,.. and put him in a position to work outside of Harlem.

 

[Anubis]

You know, Supes' reaction to the guys comments should have been more along the lines of, "Well Mr. X, I didn't see you giving out grain to African Refuges. Or helping to take down a drug Cartel in South America. Oh wait a minute, I thought I saw you helping that little old lady in Suicide Slum with her neighborhood watch stuff and saving her from the gangs trying to kill her. No, that's right, it was me! Tell you what pal, how about you take a step outside of your little corner of the world and try taking a look at the big picture!"

 

[Varient]

I second that, thought I'm white so I don't know if my opinion counts.

I hate being seen as cruel,.. or mean.

A white co-worker who gets a hoot over reading over my shoulder commented that you may think I'm laughing at you.

No.

To just be clear:

I'm chuckling because as long as you don't tell any black what they think or believe based on the kinda silliness a group of folk who are not black come up with,...

"Your opinion" will always be welcome.

Peace

(feel better Patty??? huh huh??)

 

[Harlekin]

Who?
Superman for not even being aware of four black heroes that natasha Irons knew about in Harlem?

Muhammad X for believing Superman is not for all because he "never" see's him in the black community?

Muhammed X. Like Anubis said, he screams cliché angry black man. Those characters, meh. Anubis has pretty much worded all my thoughts on the subject though.

 

[Varient]

Muhammed X. Like Anubis said, he screams cliché angry black man. Those characters, meh. Anubis has pretty much worded all my thoughts on the subject though.

This is a part of society which will continue to exist.

Until you show an Angry black hero stepping outside of himself and looking at the bigger picture,.. you have no real examples of how it could be done.

Peace.

 

[Harlekin]

... John Stewart.

 

[Varient]

All :

consider: Name ALL the current black superheroes of DC.

To my memory NONE OF THEM started from the position of "Angry black man".

Black Lightning Shiving and joking like a black Spiderman.

John Stewart irritated intellectual who was irritated at having to show patience as hal got over some issues.

John Henry Irons faced with having to step into a void left by Superman

Mr. Terriffic finding purpose after his wife died.

Amazing Mans 1 and 2,... Fighting racism,.. but as men,.. not angry black men.

Society continues to ignore the fact that they exist,.. and the why that they exist, and society hopes that by continuing to ignore it it will go away.

I want an example that shows an angry Black Man stepping away from that anger to do greater good.


Thats all.

 

[Varient]

... John Stewart.

Nope.

He was friendly except the times Hal made an assumption about him.

Doesn't qualify as "ABM."

 

[Harlekin]

Cyborg was an angry black man as I recall.

 

[Anubis]

I dont' know, he was more of a black guy who was angry cuz you know, his daddy made him a freak.

 

[Varient]

I dont' know, he was more of a black guy who was angry cuz you know, his daddy made him a freak.

Beat me to it.
He got halfway eaten by something that ate his mom,....


I'd be angry too.


But we are not typing about "that kind of anger."

 

[Harlekin]

Well, you've dismissed pretty much any example I would've brought up, even if I don't completely agree about John. Heck, in his first appearance, he's already shouting off rooftops that he's going to be the black superhero without a mask.

 

[Anubis]

I wouldn't know, before my comic reading time.

 

[Harlekin]

Eh, scans.