
It’s been a long time in the making, but I finally worked up the nerve to cover the weather goddess Storm. Working up the nerve to talk about Ororo Munroe has taken years. Given the status of such a character, I put so much needless pressure on myself. I ended up talking myself out of every attempt (10, to be exact). After picking up the X-Men ’97 Storm figure on a toy hunt with the family, I said, “Screw it! Time to record this freakin’ episode!” That exclamation did garner weird looks from everyone around me, but that’s irrelevant. Today marks a huge step forward for Super. Black. as we move into a post-Storm era of the podcast. A weight has been lifted!
The Storm has come
Feel the Storm!
This isn’t the first time Storm appears on Super. Black. Ever winder how powerful is Storm from the X-Men? Well, we get into it! I wrote an article on her infamous line in the first X-Men movie. Not to mention the countless times I referenced how scared I was to do this episode in other Super. Black. Podcasts. I rambled for maybe 28 minutes about how cool Storm is, but what else could I do?! Regardless, I hope you enjoy it. Subscribe to the show on our YouTube channel or any other platform you like. Tell a friend or two (or seven) about the show. It’s free and kind, and I would appreciate it.
If there are any characters you’d like this show to cover in detail, please let me know in the episode comments on YouTube or drop me a line. Thanks for listening!
More Storm in X-Men ’97
The new animated series X-Men ’97 is out on Disney Plus. Relive some 90s nostalgia with Storm and the crew. Also, check out some more Storm coverage outside of Supre. Black.
* X-Men ’97’s Storm actress remembers the racist bullying that inspired her character
Mar 22, 2024
27 min

If I told you to name one Black X-Men character, the very first person to jump to your mind would be? Storm, obviously. But next is definitely Lucas Bishop.
In honor of the release of X-Men ’97, I finally work up the nerve to do a Bishop episode. Between this guy and Storm, I’ve had podcast anxiety for years. TIme to saw “F’ IT! We’re doing it live!”
X-Men ’97
Check out the X-Men ’97 trailer, featuring the man of the hour.
Bishop Show Notes:
Lucas Bishop is a product of devastation and misery. Born in a dystopian future and bred to hunt his fellow mutants, Lucas eventually broke free and joined the ranks of the X-Men. Today, he is one of the most well-known and, in my opinion, underutilized X-Men characters on the roster. This episode is dedicated to the time-jumping, energy-absorbing mutant hunter known as Bishop.
Bishop from the 90s
Marvel.com Lucas Bishop Stats: https://www.marvel.com/characters/bishop-lucas-bishop
Juggernaut Comparison Stats: https://www.marvel.com/characters/juggernaut-cain-marko
Quicksilver Comparison Stats: https://www.marvel.com/characters/quicksilver/in-comics
https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/X-Men:_The_Times_and_Life_of_Lucas_Bishop_Vol_1_3
Mar 14, 2024
21 min

We wrote an entire piece about it, and now it’s time for the audio version. I am here to answer the question…
Why do so many Black superheroes have electricity powers?
Black Lightning being cool as hell: why do so many black superheroes have electricity powers?
Subscribe to the podcast on our YouTube channel and join the conversation. Leave a coment, tell a friend about the show, and enjoy positive representation with Super. Black.
Dec 22, 2023
14 min

updated December 2023
With Arkane announcing an in-development Blade game the character regained his rightful place on the hype train. Eric Brooks, a.k.a Blade is on everyone’s mind. It’s only right that we run it back and give the Dhampir his flowers in 2023.
We also can’t forget the new Blade actor Mahershala Ali. With all the renewed interest in the Daywalker, let’s revisit our original episode all about Blade.
Arkane’s Marvel Blade video game trailer
original post
As we close out 2016, we thought it only right to put out some episodes to cap the year. Our first of 2 covers one of the more well-known black superheroes, Marvel’s Blade. Dan and I wax poetic on our experiences with the leather daddy, vampire hunter and have some fun in the new segment we call…
The Forge rethinks Marvel’s Blade.
After a lengthy conversation on the history of Blade in cinema and TV, Dan and Carl slide into their creative mode and brainstorm a new avenue for Eric Brooks. We take him back to his roots in England and have him chase the notorious “Jack The Ripper”. Is The Ripper a fellow Daywalker? Perhaps it is Dracula themself. I can’t even remember what we came up with. Check out Dan’s concept art below.
Marvel’s Blade: Dead or Alive poster. Art by Daniel O’Brien
Blade – Art by Daniel O’Brien
Support the Super. Black. Platform
We are here to entertain and kick-off conversations. We can’t do that without you. Tell a friend. Tell 5 friends. Maybe 6? I don’t want to limit you, tell as many friends as you like. Rate and subscribe on iTunes. We are on Spotify. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and reach out if you have anything you’d like us to cover. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitch as well, where we stream video games with black leads. Fun!
Dec 13, 2023
49 min

A new episode of Super. Black. is here. Today, we dig into the world of video games with Black leads. Ea’s Fight Night: Champion campaign features Middleweight contender turned Heavyweight champion Andre Bishop.
Heavyweight Champion Andre Bishop
Follow Andre Bishop on his journey of redemption
We played the full Champion Mode over on Twitch, posted the complete video on Youtube, and came here to talk about it. A full complement of content for a game worth all the praise.
Subscribe to the show. Show support by spreading the word of the best podcast titled Super. Black. on the internet!
Dec 11, 2023
15 min

I recently asked which Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle you are. I figured it was only right to tell you which TMNT I am. Turns out, I am pretty much all of them at different points of the day.
TMNT and Me
This episode of Super. Black. revolves around my love of TMNT and how their influence not only shaped who I am today, but how I closly identify with the turtle characters.
Nov 28, 2023
20 min

With the release of WandaVision on Disney Plus, I thought it would be nice to highlight Agent Rambeau on Super. Black. once again. The S.W.O.R.D agent has deep roots in the Marvel Universe. I know what you are thinking: since she is in WandaVision, does Monica Rambeau become a superhero?
The answer is a resounding yes! Played perfectly by Teyonah Parris, she will leave you wondering, “why isn’t Monica Rambeau Captain Marvel in this scene?” Listen to one of our first episodes and bask in the glory of Spectrum!
ORIGINAL POST: AUGUST 31, 2015
Say hello, Monica Rambeau. The first black female leader of the Avengers. This episode tackles (not literally, she’s made of energy) Auntie Monica, a.k.a Captain Marvel, a.k.a Spectrum! Check out the io9’s article on her. It was so eye-opening that I thought doing an episode on her was prudent.
Who is Monica Rambeau in Marvel?
A simple question deserves a long, drawn-out answer. Check out all the aliases our Monica went by over the years.
* Captain Marvel
* Photon
* Pulsar
* Daystar
* Sceptre
* Lady of Light
* Monica Marvel
* Auntie Monica
* Sun Goddess
* Spectrum
She swaps names constantly. Monica may very well have the most aliases in the Marvel universe. Many people also wonder, was Ms. Rambeau the first Captain Marvel? The answer is no. That distinction goes to some fool named Mar-Vell. That goof is nowhere near as interesting as Auntie Monica.
How did Monica Rambeau get her powers?
How did Monica Rambeau get her powers?
In the MCU, the Captain Marvel film introduced Monica as a child. She makes a guest appearance as an adult in the WandaVision series, gaining her powers by phasing through the hex dome Wanda Maximoff creates around the small New Jersey town. When she exits the other side, Monica is forever changed, imbued with the power to shift her physical form into any other form of energy. It’s pretty great for walking through some static.
In the comics her power origins are a bit different. OK, a lot different. The WandaVision explanation is some nonsense. Long story short, Rambeau destroys an energy weapon and, in the process, is bombarded with extra-dimensional energy, causing her powers to manifest. See? Way more plausible.
Enjoy this episode, and stay tuned for more great content on Super. Black. Get in touch on our contact page, or share your own personal superhero recollection on our My Hero page.
Captain Marvel: Monica Rambeau as Spectrum
Did you know? Spectrum is immortal!
Monica Rambeau is immortal
<a href="https://i0.wp.com/super.black/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SuperBlack-Black-Superhero-Trivia-Monica-Ram...
Nov 21, 2023
20 min

Have you ever said out loud, “Why do black superheroes have electric powers?” It is a valid question, as many of our favorite melanin-infused meta-heroes generate countless joules of electricity. But why?
Why do Black superheroes have electric powers?
We did a whole episode on this. Why do Black Superheroes have electricity powers?
Why do so many Black superheroes have electricity powers? I have scoured and searched but can’t find a definitive reason. The short answer is it’s a common trope that’s existed for decades, starting as far back as Black Lighting in the 1970s. Tropes are like a snowball rolling downhill. They pick up speed and grow exponentially. Over the years, more and more Black superheroes were given lightning or electrical powers because of the heroes that came before. The same way Superman kicked off the tights-and-flights trope.
It isn’t a bad thing, but it is ubiquitous. You can’t turn around twice without tripping over an electricity-powered Black superhero. Much like the “Black characters with metal limbs” trope. It simply exists as a crutch when writers need powers for a character. That being said, electricity powers are awesome, and some of the best superheroes wield the mighty power of Zeus.
Storm – Marvel’s X-Men
Storm – Why Do Black Superheroes Have Electric Powers
Ororo Munroe, a.k.a Storm, is one of the most powerful mutants in the X-Men universe. The weather goddess is imbued with the ability to bend and control the elements to her will. She can generate lightning, create windstorms, and even manipulate our Earth’s climate. Storm’s electricity powers are particularly potent, and she can use them to create devastating lightning bolts, short circuit a toaster oven or two, and superheat metal, which comes in handy when those annoying Sentinels show up.
Storm harnesses the Earth’s electromagnetic field to generate her lightning powers. This allows her to control the energy flow through the atmosphere, creating her weather effects. The Queen of Wakanda’s powers are so strong that she can generate enough electricity to power a city while also making a TicTik. Who are we kidding? She has no time for that.
Static – Milestone Comics / DC Comics
Static – Why Do Black Superheroes Have Electric Powers
Virgil Hawkins is Static, a superhero from the Milestone Comics Dakotaverse. After the cataclysmic Big Bang, he and numerous other characters in Milestone were imbued with powers. They are called Bang Babies. I thought you’d like to know that. Static was lucky enough to escape major harm and reach the other end with immense electrical abilities. Static’s powers allow him to control and manipulate electromagnetism. That offers him a great deal of flexibility regarding whooping on criminals.
Armed with his trusty Static Saucer, Static can fly through the air like Kit from Tail Spin.
Sep 22, 2023
10 min

With the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trailer out, it felt like the right time to revisit everyone’s favorite underwater threat, Black Manta, The Scourge of Atlantis! This was our very first Villain episode, and we thoroughly enjoyed crafting our backstory for Mr. Manta. Today, we cover the many appearances of the villain and chat about our first encounters with the sea-faring terrorist.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom – Official Trailer (2023) Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson
The Forge
Dan & I craft a tragic origin for our version of the UFO head. We created one heavy backstory for the guy. Listen and enjoy as we nerd out and make our own fleshed-out Black Manta!
Why does Black Manta hate Aquaman?
After listening to this episode, do you crave more information on the devil beneath the waves? Check out our write-up and find out who is Black Manta.
The Injustice of Blank Manta
Black Manta steps out of the shadows and joins the fight in Injustice 2 this September! Originally a stage hazard in the Atlantis arena, The underwater terrorist is now stepping up as a playable character. Black Manta looks like a formidable addition to the Injustice roster, fully equipped with laser eyes, his trident, and rocket launchers.
I am terrible at this game, and I choose to believe I haven’t found the right character. Supergirl or Red Hood were considered for the coveted spot as my main characters. I can’t wrap my mind around either of their move sets. Will Mr. Manta be that guy? The outlook is doubtful. My fingers do not cooperate.
Pledge allegiance to Black Manta
We are here to entertain and kick off conversations. We can’t do that without you. Tell a friend. Tell 5 friends. Maybe 6? I don’t want to limit you, tell as many friends as you like. Rate and subscribe on iTunes. We are on Spotify. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and reach out if you want us to cover anything.
Sep 18, 2023
37 min

Have you ever stopped to wonder why do black superheroes have black in their name? Whether you like it or not, using Black as a superhero adjective is a thing in pop culture. Prominent heroes like Black Lightning or Black Mariah, down to lesser-known heroes like Viking The Black, suffer from this legacy stereotype. In some cases, like Black Panther, a story element defines the name choice. In many others, it’s an identifier for the hero or villain.
It’s almost like a flare, alerting a reader to the race of the hero. Using Black as an adjective for characters can be a positive, informing Black and Brown comic book fans of a potential hero or villain to follow. On the opposite end, it could a way to “other” certain heroes. Putting them in a category away from other characters.
Why do Black superheroes have black in their name: Using Black as a Superhero Adjective
In this episode of Super. Black. we answer the question “why do black superheroes have black in their name?” It’s not as simple as “Because ____”. Black is used as an adjective to inform fans of the hero or villain’s race. Very rarely does the “Black” in their title refer to any kind of power set or personal trait, other than the color of their skin.
Join me as we discuss the trope of using Black as an adjective for superheores and villains.
Using Black as a Superhero Adjective
We are here to entertain and kick off conversations. For more, find out why Black Superheroes have electricity powers or why many Black characters have metal limbs. We can’t do that without you. Tell a friend. Tell five friends. Maybe 6? I don’t want to limit you. Tell as many friends as you like. Rate and subscribe on iTunes. We are on Spotify. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram , and reach out if you want us to cover anything.
Aug 26, 2023
16 min
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