Who was the first black Marvel superhero?

[Fantasyartist]

For a long time I thought that the Black Panther was the first black Marvel superhero( at least in the modern era) but going through back issues of the Invaders, I was surprised to see that Davy Mitchell of "The Kid Commandos" was the first. Although he and the other "Kid Commandos" first appeared in 1942( making them the first integrated superhero team with "Golden Girl" Gwenny Lou Sabuki - Japanese American- and Bucky Barnes- who of course is white -at a time when Jim Crow was the law of the land), I suppose that's "modern" enough!
Does anybody think as I do?

Terry

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

For a long time I thought that the Black Panther was the first black Marvel superhero( at least in the modern era) but going through back issues of the Invaders, I was surprised to see that Davy Mitchell of "The Kid Commandos" was the first. Although he and the other "Kid Commandos" first appeared in 1942( making them the first integrated superhero team with "Golden Girl" Gwenny Lou Sabuki - Japanese American- and Bucky Barnes- who of course is white -at a time when Jim Crow was the law of the land), I suppose that's "modern" enough!
Does anybody think as I do?

Terry

Black Panther is still the first black marvel superhero appearing in print in 1966 (iirc)

Although set in the 1940's, the Kid Commandos didnt actually appear in print until 1978...

 

[TheCorpulent1]

There weren't any black heroes in the Golden Age at Timely or Atlas?

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

There weren't any black heroes in the Golden Age at Timely or Atlas?

Not to MY knowledge....

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Wow, that's crazy.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Wow, that's crazy.

different times, my man...different times....

 

[ShadowBoxing]

There was a "hero" named Whitewash, a child-like black stereotype, who was a recurring character in the "Young Allies" and "All Winners Squad", though not a superhero.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cywg7wzfIBs/R78Ot3VsDtI/AAAAAAAADhg/06JpZfj498E/s320/whitewash.jpg

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Eh, it's something. Ebony's the only other black character I can think of who was actually created in that period, as opposed to being retconned back into it like DC's Amazing Man.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

I would've mentioned Ebony, but he asked which Marvel, Ebony was Eisner's character.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I know. I'm trying to think of any black characters from that period.

 

[K.B.]

Actually the first black superhero at Marvel is tricky...if based on skin, yes T'Challa wins HOWEVER if you are asking about the first african american superhero it was actually The Falcon. Black Panther dosen't count because he is a ruler of a sovreing nation and therefore not american (which is the key word).

 

[Franklin Richards]

I believe Jesus was the first black superhero.

 

[bryanss3]

^thats a true story. even though everyone thinks he's white.

 

[Joker]

^thats a true story. even though everyone thinks he's white.

That's only true in the way that it's not true at all. He was middle eastern, and Jewish, not black. And yes, not white either.

 

[bryanss3]

it's as true as Family Guy is funny.

 

[Fantasyartist]

I ask this question because of the upcoming storyline about The Blue Marvel who predated The Black Panther and the FF but was inexplicably ordered by the then President -JFK- to not only retire but to conceal his racial heritage( precisely why is unclear).

Terry

 

[Abstract]

I know that Luke Cage was the first black superhero to get his own book. I think Black Panther was the first black superhero overall, but I'm not 100%.

 

[yenaled]

The reason you might not remember any Black character from early on is they were full blackface - so companies tend not to mention them.

There was a character in "Young Allies" from, I think Timley, called Whitewash (1, 2,
3). Surpringly Bucky hasn't mentioned him in the new Captain America series

I believe a character called Waku is credited as the first Black character in comics he appeared in a book called "Jungle Tales" from Atlas in the early 50s.

Then I know the first Black character to get his own title was a character called Lobo from Dell comics, I think it was 1965 same year as Black Panther. He is also unpowered.

I honestly think the first Black Character at DC was Black Manta that was 1967 or 1968.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Geez, "Whitewash"? I mean, really?

 

[The Geek Vault]

Black Panther is the first black Hero

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Geez, "Whitewash"? I mean, really?

That racist, Bucky, probably gave it to him.

 

[Joker]

I honestly think the first Black Character at DC was Black Manta that was 1967 or 1968.

And didn't they not reveal that he was actually a black dude till like, 20 years later? I thought he never, ever took off that outfit in the early days.

 

[Dragon]

Well, a black heroic character from Marvel that pre-dates the Panther is Gabriel Jones from Sgt. Fury's Howling Commandos. He was also moved onto SHIELD along with Dum Dum Dugan and the rest of them.