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Black Captain America Latest In Wave of Progressive Comic Book Milestones

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People often forget that comic books aren’t just for kids. They frequently slide in adult topics between the colorful images and larger than life characters. Sometimes when those characters meet their death, like the humans they so often protect, fans are outraged and heartbroken. It often brings to mind the question of whether a series will continue without its main character or find a suitable replacement. With all the recent changes on the American landscape (i.e. gay marriage, increasingly multi-cultural populations) comic book creators are taking notice and finding ways to weave the American landscape into their fictitious worlds.

black captain america

2014 ushers in the first Black Captain America

Marvel Comics announced they have replaced Captain America Steve Rogers with Falcon, the high-flying African-American hero from Harlem. The new Captain America will make his first appearance in an all new series “All-New Captain America,” set to be released in November.

“It’s about time,” says Marvel executive editor Tom Brevoort of the change. Brevoort acknowledged that the move shouldn’t be seen as revolutionary (after all it is 2014) “but it still feels exciting.” Falcon was portrayed as Anthony Mackie in the latest Marvel movie and has openly talked about how game-changing the hero has been for the African-American community. After all, people of color are looking for comic characters that resemble themselves- a fact noticed by Marvel creators who take their position seriously.

Archie Killed Saving Gay Best Friend

Archie Andrews meets his fate saving gay friend

America’s beloved red-haired Archie Andrews met his fate on Wednesday by taking a bullet to protect his gay best friend. In the recently released installment of Life with Archie, the comic book hero attempts to stop an assassination attempt on Kevin Keller, a married military veteran turned senator. Keller was introduced in 2010 in the Archie spin-off series Veronica as the first openly gay character. Although Archie isn’t a comic book hero per se, protecting his gay best friend definitely makes him just as courageous as any other comic book character. “He dies heroically. He dies selflessly. He dies in the manner that epitomizes not only the best of Riverdale but the best of all of us,” Archie Comics publisher and co-CEO Jon Goldwater said.

female thor

Thor gets a sex change

The Mighty Thor will be getting a sex change this fall in a new Marvel comic book series that will introduce a woman now holding the Mjölnir, or mighty hammer. “For the first time in history, that hammer is being held by a woman. That’s right. Thor is a woman,” The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg said in an announcement arranged by Marvel Comics. The introduction on The View will surely usher in a new era of fan girls, who are often the only females in their crew.

“The new Thor continues Marvel’s proud tradition of strong female characters like Captain Marvel, Storm, Black Widow and more. And this new Thor isn’t a temporary female substitute – she’s now the one and only Thor, and she is worthy!” said Marvel editor Wil Moss in a press release.

bunker teen titans

DC Comics introduces Bunker, openly gay Hispanic teen

Miguel Jose Barragan, a gay fictional comic book character of Mexican descent, debuted in DC Comics series Teen Titans #3 as Bunker. The teen superhero comes from a background accepting of his sexuality, which allows him to be one of the more flamboyant characters of all the fictional comic book worlds. Bunker dons a purple costume and has the ability to create small force fields that look like bricks.

uptown-Michael_B_Jordan_Human_Torch

Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four

In February 2014, Michael B. Jordan was cast to play Johnny Storm a.k.a the Human Torch in the 2015 reboot of Fantastic Four. The character has always been a Caucasian male in the comic book series. The movie is currently filming in Louisiana.

Jordan revealed to MTV.com yesterday, “It’s not your typical superhero film, you know, we aren’t looking at this as like, being superheroes. We’re more or less a bunch of kids that had an accident and we have disabilities now that we have to cope with, and try to find a life afterwards – try to be as normal as we can.”

uptown black spiderman miles morales

First Black Spider-Man, Miles Morales

Back in 2011, the popular comic lead was replaced with half-black, half-Hispanic American teenager Miles Morales who fights crime in Manhattan after Peter Parker is killed by the Green Goblin.

 

uptown runaways xavin

Lesbian Runaways couple Xavin and Karolina navigate the nuances of gender and sexuality

In Volume 7, gender-shifting alien Xavin decided to assume the form of a black female to continue the relationship with lesbian girlfriend Karolina.

 


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