Even the Black Spider-Man (Miles Morales) has electric powers :gucci: His powerset is doper than just regular spiderman's tho because he has an venom bio-electric shock BUT also invisibility. 28 of My Most Influential Black Superheroes - Geeks Under Grace select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. If you couldnt think of any black heroes that didnt use lightning, you werent trying hard enough. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available from thestaff@tvtropes.org. var f = d.getElementsByTagName( s )[ 0 ], Black Lightning wouldnt defeat a villain the same way that Static would, Wayne said. Throw electric powers and missing/cybernetic limbs together, and you're got something like 70% of all Black superheroes. But superheroes represent something beyond that. There are more heroes who aren't black who have electrical powers than black heroes. When it came time to get away from the dumb costumes and put him on the big screen they cast a black man. First of all, you should be aware of the phenomenon of economic gentrification when white people move into Black neighborhoods because we have a homegirl who can harness lightning. Most commonly, users would be able to discharge large amounts of electricity in order to shock their opponents, potentially paralyzing them, burning them, or even stopping their hearts in severe cases. Storm (Marvel) - black, wather control powers (uses electricity frequently). But theres also something about them all that feels derivative at best and stereotypical at worst, considering that the vast majority of the most popular black superhero characters were created by white men. Hes since been seen in a few other media spin-offs, culminating in getting his own live-action series that ran on the CW for four seasons, from 2018 to 2021. s.src = 'https://au-script.dotmetrics.net/door.js?d=' + document.location.host + '&t=other'; h.appendChild(s); Marvel: 10 Strongest Comic Characters With Electric Powers - CBR A Sub-Trope of Fountain of Expies. Why do most black superheroes have electric powers? } )( window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-NPT9MH2' ); When it comes to black superheroes, electricity goes a long way. Back then, it felt odd flipping through my mental Rolodex of characters and realizing that, if I wanted to play as a black hero, it was almost guaranteed that Id be doing jazz hands to simulate zapping people with lightning. Black Lightning j.async = true; Statics powers, Wayne told me, were meant to be an extension of his geeky personality and the kinds of science fair projects he enjoyed working on. While Volts powers are a playful jab at superhero comics as a whole, they do raise a number of questions about what it means exactly when creators choose to turn black characters into walking, talking batteries. 13 Lightning Lad A brief history of Black superheroes in comics - DW - 07/06/2020 It goes without saying that Storm is perhaps the most iconic example of a the Black Electricity Trope, but shes also a character whos transcended much of its limitations as a result of being written and depicted thoughtfully across a variety of different mediums. Such heroes include DC Comics' Black Lightning, Lightning, Static, Thunder Fall, and Black Vulcan. So they get their hits in and get taken out. He also set the trend of black electrical heroes. We're auxiliary pieces, benched on the sidelines or sent in for one scene as a plot device for the white man . In fact, many of these superheroes have powers and abilities that they (and the writers) have seemingly forgotten about. We can all share a sense of marvel. Ive written before about Black Lightning, whos usually seen as the center of this trend. The superhero images represent the hope that someone can and will stand up to do the right thing, and that the human being has the potential to amaze. Lightning (DC) - black, electricity . Required fields are marked *. While Volts powers are a playful jab at superhero comics as a whole, they do raise a number of questions about what it means exactly when creators choose to turn black characters into walking, talking batteries. Each woman claims her own Superman, and they have a triple wedding: Superman-Blue and Lana, Superman-Red and Lois, and Lucy Lane marrying Jimmy Olsen (since Lucy need no longer wait for Lois to marry before she does). By moving at super speeds, the Flash can generate electric energy which he can use as a lightning blast against enemies. Super Powers In addition to the powers of flight, super strength, and super speed, The Utopian. img#wpstats{display:none} Why do so many Black superheroes have lightning/electric powers? It may not display this or other websites correctly. if(typeof window.DotMetricsObj != 'undefined') {DotMetricsObj.onAjaxDataUpdate();} Ghost Rider. Why does the date of Easter change every year. The Importance of Having A Black Hero | by Uncultured Schwein | An She doesn't really have electricity powers. Anthony Dean is the owner of Diverse Tech Geek and Diverse Media Notes. Has anyone else noticed that a number of the black characters in comic media have electric powers? the fourth raikage, killer bee, darui, and karui all use this ability. Like those shows, the . DC's second black superhero, Jefferson Pierce is a school teacher with the ability to generate and control electricity. Before you sit down to watch the live-action adaptation of "Black Lightning," debuting on the CW Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 9 p.m., here are the Top 10 facts you should know. Know who your character is. After gaining his electricity powers as a result of the chemical gas explosion known as "The Big Bang," young Virgil Goode decided to use his powers to stop the other "Bang Babies" (humans. Nubia / Nu'Bia. almost all the black characters use an elemental power called lightning release which can translate into various electric type attacks. Introduced in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May 1975), Ororo Munroe has gone on to become one of the most popular Black superheroes. I think maybe some of it is that these kinds of heroes are usually physically vulnerable. var d = document, When I spoke with Wayne recently, he assured me that, when creating a new character and deciding which powers they should have, every comics writer sits down and considers how similar their creation will end up to others that came before them. You must log in or register to reply here. 12. His electric powers are even powerful enough to shock someone to death, and he can easily manipulate energy in his cells in order to recharge himself. Heres a list of major Black superheroes who have primary or secondary electrical powers, or whose name/heroic identity ties into such somehow. Red decides to live on New Krypton with Lois . Answer (1 of 2): * Black Lightning (DC) * Lightning Lad (DC) * Lightning Lass (DC) * Static (DC) * Living Lightning (Marvel) * Thor (Marvel) * Storm (Marvel) * Miles Morales (Marvel) Note that lightning powers are fundamentally not as gratifying to humans as super strength and invulnerabi. 8 Electro Is The Electric-Powered Foe Of Spider-Man Who Threatens The Web-Slinger. In the present . While not as prominent as Black Lightning or Storm, I wonder if Static also helped make Black electrical heroes a popular concept. Spider-Man has Mary Jane Watson, Aunt May, and sometimes Harry. 10 Superheroes That Use Lightning Powers - QuirkyByte By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and Will Banning TikTok Solve Privacy Issues? So outside of Static Shock and Black Lightening, that's just two. List of Superpowers: Cool Powers for Heroes (or Villains) Weve seen Storm as both a lethal weather goddess and a vulnerable human. The idea that black superheroes are given electrical powers because it lets them be taken out easily is an interesting one, but I'm not sure I'm convinced that's where it comes from. 11 Black Superheroes That Use Electricity - The Geek Twins This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. I was just watching Young Justice where Black Lightning and Static shock are part of the team. Of them, none are as known or important as Johnny Blaze. It took until a 2009 Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode for the actual Jefferson Pierce to finally appear outside of comics. check out the FAQ by clicking the Though her depiction is the most famous in the mainstream, it was not in my household. Wakanda was depicted as a peculiar mix of futuristic . I wonder if another possible factor is the popularity of Storm. So, it seemed like a coincidence with Storm and Black Lightning being two different characters who had electricity powers. The name and powers of the Ghost Rider have belonged to many Marvel heroes. /* The ageless appeal of superheroes: What effect do superhero stories Yes, I wish to receive exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions from our partners. Superheroes are also expected to act on a strict moral code. Your email address will not be published. "These heroes presented their race as something to be proud of while simultaneously representing immense power within their superhero persona, a power that the African Americans did not have within society then." Theres plenty of electrical-themed superheroes, from Lightning Lad and Lass of the Legion of Super-Heroes to Marvels Thor. Why does every black superhero have electricity? (Its worth pointing out that Black Vulcan was created by Hanna-Barbera for the Superfriends cartoon, which producers felt needed a black character even though Black Lightning already existed. Superhero Code Name The Utopian, because he considers himself the role model for all heroes. Superman Red/Superman Blue - Wikipedia Starting with Black Lightning in 1977 (or possibly Storm, who pre-dates him by two years), weve gotten a ton of such superheroes. Its led to Static making appearances in other subsequent DC-related media, as well as plenty of nostalgia for the cartoon. The only difference would be who gets paid., We may earn a commission from links on this page. So outside of Static Shock and Black Lightening, that's just two. Why do so many Black superheroes have electrical powers? The Top 15 Superheroes with Electric Powers in Marvel & DC (Ranked) Theres various other characters across all sorts of media. Supposedly, Black Lightning was going to appear as a recurring character on the long-running Super Friends cartoon. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. As many of the issues plaguing black people are structural and more complex than a simple plot could cater to, visual stories have helped to give out a. In that vein, maybe electricity can be an unconscious expression of the heros tamable nature?. One Black superhero has electricity manipulation as a power and they just give them all that power because they don't have any imagination. A superhero (sometimes rendered super-hero or super hero) is a type of fictional stock character possessing extraordinary talents, supernatural phenomena, or superhuman powers and dedicated to protecting the public. Writer Matt Wayne has helped give Milestone Media and DC Comics character Static his signature voice on a number of projects like the Static Shock animated series and various comics like Static and The Brave and the Bold: Milestone. Arena Manipulation. Fun as it was, the process of picking out which superhero I wanted to be always stressed me out for one particular reason that still bothers me to this day. Black Lightning. In 1977, DC Comics revealed their first headlining African-American superhero with Black Lightning. Growing up as a kid who loved comic books, I spent many an afternoon running around the park pretending to be a superhero fighting all manners of evil. Black Lightning is one of the first major African American superheroes to appear in DC Comics. Anti-Electromagnetic Field Projection. 2. Biokinesis: This is the power to change or reprogram cells and DNA with your mind. So they get their hits in and get taken out. It looks flashy and impressive on the comics page, as well as in movies and TV shows. in factor based risk modelBlog by ; why do black superheroes have electric powers . When you do you might note that MOST of them are VILLAINS. Thus, the various clones of Black Lightning mightve heavily contributed to the number of Black electrical superheroes. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Asian superheroes are usually solar/sun powered and/or martial artists. Make your patio the place to beThis 7-piece outdoor sectional furniture set is marked down from $900 to $600 on Amazon right now. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Black Lightning (DC) - black, electricity based powers. You must log in or register to reply here. But why is it so overused? While its heartening to hear directly from a writer about how much thought they personally put into crafting a characters identity, the point still stands that black heroes with electrical powers are an established trope. Its a very flexible power, especially combined with the equally flexible nature of comic book physics. Ambient Energy Absorption. and our It may just be a coincidence, but I was curious if there was a behind the scenes or marketing reason for this trend. Electric Black Guy - TV Tropes Even the Black Spider-Man (Miles Morales) has electric powers. JavaScript is disabled. In the fifth issue of Mark Waid and Peter Krauses Irredeemable, Volt, a member of the books answer to the Justice League, apprehends a kidnapper while sheepishly admitting to the people around him that yes, hes a black hero with electricity powers and yes, he knows that its a Thing, and hes kind of embarrassed about it. Often seems to be the theme for superheroes these days, with Hollywood rolling out blockbuster superhero movies in rapid succession. If this is your first visit, be sure to I wish I had more examples but most comic book characters are white. } ()); Weve seen Storm as both a lethal weather goddess and a vulnerable human. If he's injured, Black Lightning can heal himself at a faster rate than the average human. Most commonly, users would be able to discharge large amounts of electricity in order to shock their opponents, potentially paralyzing them, burning them, or even stopping their hearts in severe cases. Is Static Shock DC or Marvel? Terrific, Bronze Tiger, Firestorm, Vixen, Amanda Waller, Batwing, Lucas Fox INDY: Spawn, Martha Washington, Michonne, Destiny Ajaye thats just my ten minute list. People who have this power can alter their appearance in subtle ways, such as changing their hair, eye, and skin color. However, Virgil really hit it big with the Static Shock animated series, which ran from 2000 to 2004. j.src = window.dm.AjaxEvent = function(et, d, ssid, ad){ As Black Lightning is a popular Black superhero, itd make sense that others wanted to use himor at least a hero like himas often as possible. Sure, Superman (well, most versions) can shrug off lightning, but generally, electrically-powered heroes are considered among the more powerful superheroes for a reason. What's up with black superheroes and lightning? Black Lightning wouldnt defeat a villain the same way that Static would, Wayne said. Captain America has Bucky and Sam. However, Storm summoning lightning has become a popular go-to by writers and artists, when they need to show her attacking powerful foes. Below, I offer a few possible guesses why theres such a large number of Black electrical heroes. Although, Black Vulcans approach would probably be indistinguishable from Black Lightnings. And how about comparing to white characters with lightning? The idea that black people are inherently closer to nature is one of the larger undertones to the problematic magical negro trope that many black characters are often hamstrung by. Fun as it was, the process of picking out which superhero I wanted to be always stressed me out for one particular reason that still bothers me to this day. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. What superhero has electric powers? - Quora http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.phectricBlackGuy, http://variety.com/2014/tv/people-ne71-1201307918/, http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Buster-Jones/, All users, both new and returning, are expected to follow. What Are Black Lightning's Powers? The Comics Show That - Bustle Its that sort of solid characterisation and fleshing out of a personality, Wayne told me, thats the key making sure that a character doesnt become reduced to a two-dimensional stereotype. Comic Calls Out How So Many Black Superheroes Have Electricity Powers Why Do So Many Black Superheroes Have Electricity Powers? s.async = true; This especially seems the case in the various animated and live-action appearances of Storm. Static Shock (DC) - black, electricity based powers. In "Godstorm: Hercules Payne", a spin-off of. Privacy Policy. The Black Electricity Trope reads like a distant cousin to the Magical Negro, in that theyre both established formulations of a character whose most defining qualities are a preternatural understanding and command of natural force. Electricity/Electric/Electrical Arts Electric Current Manipulation Electrokinesis Electric Users can create, shape and manipulate electricity, a form of energy resulting from the movement of charged particles (such as electrons or protons). However, being a walking electric company mascot is pretty far down the list of superpowers Id choose if I had a choice. There was some question as to whether Static shock had the rights to use Black Lightning, so when Black Lightning appears in the cartoon he's called Soul Power. For Iron Man, he's got Pepper Potts, whatever artificial intelligence . Beware accidentally harming allies if the user's control over electricity is not precise enough. Category:Thunder-Based Powers. First Appearance : Wonder Woman #204 (1973) Powers/Skills: Flight, super strength, speed, "cold sight," magic armor, able to open . f.parentNode.insertBefore( j, f ); Static https://www.thecoli.com/threads/why-does-every-black-superhero-anime-hero-have-electric-powers.895041/page-12#post-47158854. In 1982's Superman Spectacular, this curious effect was paid tribute in a non-imaginary story when exposure to red Kryptonite splits Superman into two beings temporarily once more. Shes incredibly strong, but you always get the sense that at the centre of whatever devastating weather phenomena shes manifested, theres a human whos just as powerful even when she doesnt have her powers. As an elemental power, electricity manipulation is very simple and straightforward accompanied with a near-limitless myriad of uses. Superman's Greatest Power is Empathy Brain Knows Better The power to manipulate electricity. 1. In a Future Filled With Electric Cars, AM Radio May Be Left Behind. The Flash also boasts the power of electricity absorption. It's also a good generic power, like super-strength and flight. Native American superheroes usually have superstrengh and/or animal based powers. Tldr: Only a small number of black heroes have electrical powers. Batman does have a superpower - he just isn't as known for it as others with the same superpower. Its usually just easier for the writer to relate to as often the protagonist is a highly idealised version of themself. Absolute Electricity Absorption. Why do so many black superheros have lightning powers? : r - Reddit The 13 Best Electrically Powered Heroes In Comics - CBR Marsha Bradley from from the same comic is also a woman of color with electricity based powers who goes by the alias Lightning Lady. Created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden in April 1977, Jefferson Pierce is one of DC Comics earliest Black superheroes. Theres definitely an unconscious undercutting of black heroes, keeping them just shy of being a heroic ideal, that used to be more pronounced, Wayne said. Why are there so many black superheroes with electromagnetic powers The Coli - The Best Hip Hop, Rap, Sports Forum and Message Board.