Comic superheroes are one of the most popular fandoms in our modern society. Created in 1934, DC Comics is home to many beloved superheroes and villains such as Joker, Harley Quinn, Batman, and a plethora of others. However, the beloved company has a dark side of its own which is made more apparent when looking at the creation of Black Lightning..
Black Lightning was the first stand-alone superhero to make his first appearance in the 1970s. But Black Lightning wasn't created until after Dc writers pitched a character named "Brown/Black Bomber" to Tony Isabella. Black Bomber was a white military man who served in Vietnam. While the Black Bomber was in Vietnam, he became part of an experiment to help him "blend into the jungle better." The said experiment made him turn into a black basketball-playing superhero. Often, to activate his power, he would say "Black Power," or it would happen in moments of stress.
This very early draft of Black Bomber got even worse. Not only did he turn into a racial stereotype of a black man, but when he wasn't Black Bomber, he was a racist. The man was entirely unaware that he would "turn" into Black Bomber. This was made evident when Black Bomber saved a baby in one comic draft but, more specifically, a black child. Once he "came to" and realized what he'd done, he was horrified and outraged. And he proceeded to curse the child, exclaiming he couldn't believe he risked his life for a "jungle monkey" (in his words). Now, it may seem obvious how terrible this character was, especially when they were trying to promote equality and show they stood with black people. But, unfortunately, Black Bomber was genuinely considered a comic hero.
When Black Bomber was brought to Tony Isabella to script, he rightfully refused. This became the start of Tony's hate for DC and the start of Black Lightning. DC comics had pushed him to do it to the point where Tony stated that people would surround the DC building if they put it out, and Tony would lead them himself if he had to. The argument continued until Tony said, "Do you really want your first black superhero to be a racist?" ending the fight and giving him the creative freedom to create a new black superhero, Black Lightning.
All in all, DC has a problematic past, as do many comic companies when it comes to the battle to be the most progressive. From things like pink kryptonite turning Superman gay to SnowFlame's powers being activated by literal drugs, every attempt at fake progressiveness/uniqueness will never make up for the real thing.
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