One of my readers and frequent contributor to the comments section sent me an email the other day asking me who I would assemble if I got to create a Black Avengers team. He gave me only five slots and asked me to name the heroes and why I’d choose them. I came up with my five and why but have since had second thoughts and made an adjustment or two. Here’s my updated roster:

• Blue Marvel – He’s Superman level strong, cosmically powered and has a brain that could possibly be Reed Richards level. I can’t say I’ve loved how this character has been used in the Marvel Universe but like many under-utilized characters I still believe he has serious potential. Besides that, you just can’t knock that kind of indestructibility, power and calm intelligence. Even without his powers he could probably handle all the technology needs of the team. He was a scientist even before the accident that empowered him.
• Black Panther – This guy’s probably over utilized but what has been consistent about his portrayal  is his tactical and planning ability. Call it jungle cunning if you like. If Blue Marvel is the Superman of the group then this guy is the Batman. He’s more than knowledgeable on nearly any subject and has a contingency for nearly any situation. He could be the tactical leader of the team and most would follow him without question. Regardless of his power level there is nobody he wouldn’t go up against. He’s technically savvy and even dabbles in magic when need be.
• Storm – She’s already married to the Black Panther but she’d be invited to join regardless of their relationship. Not only would she be able to hold her own but she would be able to command the respect of every team member with her power and presence. Similar to Wonder Woman in some respects, she is looked up to by women and in some circles she is even considered to be a goddess. Her mutant abilities would enable her to affect a large area enabling her to subdue multiple foes simultaneously. Weather control is a versatile power which would enable her to come up with multiple ways to deal with challenges and assist her teammates. She’s well trained and combat ready even without her powers and no slouch in the tactical area either. She would also bring a bit of Spirituality to the team.
• Doctor Voodoo – We’re talking Sorcerer Supreme here. If he’s hasn’t been killed off, his powers and abilities are useful on multiple levels. Even powerless he could be the team’s doctor and overall healer. As far as what he can do for the team with his powers, well consider team teleportation, binding and divining spells, and magical shields and barriers at the most basic. He would have a unique kind of awareness and perspective too. His counsel alone would be priceless and considering his power level, (Did I mention he was Sorcerer Supreme?),what couldn’t he do?
• Photon - She’s the energy powerhouse and perhaps a team speedster. She can assume and emit any form of electromagnetic energy. We’re talking invisibility, intangibility, energy beams, holograms, and light-speed flight and that’s just the beginning. Few barriers could resist her power and she would not easily be contained. She be good in space and on the ground in both power and stealth. She’s a former harbor patrol officer and ship captain and is used to giving and commanding respect. *** Please note that even though I love this character, she barely made this list. There are a few other’s I’m still considering for the fifth and final member of this team.

I know I left a lot of good Black Superheroes out of this list but consider this: The above would be my Alpha team. They would handle the highest level threats and could be sent on space and inter-dimensional missions, repel invaders, and take on the big name villains. If I had my choice I wouldn’t limit them to five members either but that’s the number I was given so I’m trying to work with it. I’ll give you my second team in another post. What are your thoughts? Any suggestions?

Look, I’ve always been a fan of Luke Cage and am old enough to remember the character when he was more Blaxploitation action hero than anything else. In a world full of Caucasian heroes in comics, he was a welcome and refreshing diversion. I knew he was corny and ghetto but I didn’t care because he kicked ass and kept it good in the hood. I tend to read and watch Luke Cage where ever I can find him which brings me to the clip below. I really dug Luke in this episode. I felt like they captured a lot of what I like about him. I enjoyed it so much that I envisioned the possibility on the character getting his own spin-off animated series. I know I’d watch it. Have you seen the episode I’m talking about? If so, sound off and let me know what you think. If not, check out the clip.

Even if it’s only on the Young Justice TV show it’s still huge. Not only does Icon officially become a part of the Justice League but he actually gets to speak. I don’t know who the voice actor is yet. I was happy enough just to see Rocket joining the Young Justice team. Seems she has some flavor too but Icon … not so much. All we need is for Static to show up and we’ll have a Milestone trifecta.

It was a pretty good episode too. They really seem to be picking up. Both Icon and Rocket look pretty good though I do miss the Icon’s green cape. I guess I can’t complain about a lack of diversity any more. Take a look at this clip from the Young Justice episode entitled, “Usual Suspects.”

On a side note, I have one question. If any of you have already seen this episode, doesn’t Riddler seem a little young?

“So living in New York is never easy and the current economic “Situation” has precipitated a rather violent change in my living status. Namely the arrival of Barry. Now don’t get me wrong he’s totally cool. He’s quiet, he’s clean (most of the time), and he plays a wicked game of street fighter. The only real down side is he’s a beaver…that talks. I know a bit of a shocker right? but check it out, he’s not your normal run of the mill hoover dam beaver, this guy or should I say animal is a bonifide familiar.(for those in need of an idiot guide that’s a spirit animal) From what he tells me he’s moved to New york to get a new lease on life, wipe the slate clean so to speak. So now he, myself and my neighbor, Valerie all hang out together getting into the occasional adventure. NInjas, Intergalactic thieves, cyberspace serial killers,Alien Bounty hunters, all in a days work. Now I know what you’re thinking, and yes these things might sound a wee bit strange…if I didnt live in New York…Brooklyn to be exact.”

You can find out more about “The Adventures of Wally Fresh” and its creator online at the official blog and purchase issues at Indy Planet. You can also find issues of the comic at these fine comic book retail establishments:

Meltdown Comics
7522 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90046

House of Secrets
1930 West Olive Avenue
Burbank, CA 91506-2438

Earth2 comics
15017 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Support your local Independent Comic Creators!

The epic new sci-fi/thriller web series OSIRIS is returning this April with five all new episodes leading up to the huge season finale.

Since its debut, the independent low-budget “Osiris” web series has been surprising viewers with its crisp cinematic quality and its complex, thrilling storyline dipped in science fiction. Its also held the honor of being one of the only recent independent film projects produced by African Americans with mainstream action, suspense and thriller film elements packed into each episode. Lastly, “Osiris” has also a been a surprisingly rare indie project in which the main characters driving the plot are all composed by a large multicultural cast.

The producers of “Osiris” are currently in talks to not only produce another season but also adapt the project into an independent feature film.

Synopsis:

“Osiris” is a new 10-episode scifi/action/thriller Web Series featuring mystery, espionage and gritty crime fiction. The series follows the title character “Osiris”, a man with an eternally extended warranty on life. He can never stay dead. If killed, he resurrects in EXACTLY 37 minutes, every time. Each episode features a cliffhanger in the vein of classic shows like True Blood, Lost and 24!

Starring: Brad James (Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse, Single Ladies), Nicky Buggs (Army Wives, The Secret Life of Bees), Stephen Caudill (Dance of the Dead), Charmin Lee (The Vampire Diaries, Girlfriends), Rico Ball (Necessary Roughness)

Created, Written & Directed By: Donnie Leapheart
Produced By: Donnie Leapheart, Rodney Breedlove, Redd Claiborne & LaQuanda
Plantt

Website: http://www.osiristheseries.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OsirisTheSeries

Black Lightning is apparently going to channel his inner Bill Cosby and play the family role with his daughters, Thunder and Lightning in a series of upcoming DC Shorts airing on Cartoon Network. His daughters appear to be younger than their current comic counterparts though that remains to be seen in the new younger 52. The series is named ‘Thunder and Lightning’ which is interesting because DC already had heroes with that name and title in their arsenal. You can find out more about them here.

Even if it’s only for a group of shorts, I gotta say I love the idea of a Black family of Superheroes making their way into the homes of millions. I also like the style of the characters so far. Anybody else notice the Black Vulcan costume in the background of the second picture? Check out the video below to find out a little bit more about the series.

Well, in case you’ve missed the net-chatter and promos on Cartoon Network, it appears to be official. Rocket actually joints the animated cast of Young Justice. This is good because while it’s been great to see her on-screen, it’s also been disappointing because all her appearances thus far have been cameos. This news is all according to the promo video (below) and some other info I’ve found on the web. I haven’t seen anything else official. I don’t even know the name of the actress doing the character’s voice. It is about time I figure. I mean even much more obscure Teen Titan alumni like Mal Duncan and Karen Beecher have had a chance to say a few words in the show and they don’t even have any powers. Still I’m happy to see yet another Black Superhero show up on television.

It just occurred to me that Cyborg hasn’t shown up in this series. He’s definitely a Teen Titan alumni. I wonder if that’s because he’s a member of the Justice League in his most current incarnation. Anyway, you can catch a few glimpses of Rocket in the DC/Cartoon Network promo below.

First of all this will apparently be a young Luke Cage, not that new young Power Man in the comics though the appearance is similar. In the upcoming Ultimate Spider-Man animated series, Luke joins fellow young heroes, Iron Fist, White Tiger, Nova, and of course Spider-Man himself in a superhero training program run by S.H.I.E.L.D. The show will be airing on the Marvel Universe block on Disney XD. The press release is here.

It’s interesting to see Luke Cage being called Power Man again. With this animated series and the upcoming AKA Jessica Jones live action TV show coming up, Luke stands poised to get some series screen time. This might end up being just what’s needed to finally get that Luke Cage movie finally made.

“EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT NOW!
There’s someone new in the Invincible costume, but why – and for how long? Answers to all these questions and more in this monumental status-quo-altering issue!”

I’ve always been a fan of the Invincible comic, both the writing and the artwork. I’m a fan of the character and the whole universe really. For those of you who haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend it. No he’s not Black but looking at the cover, maybe his replacement will be. Expect to see this issue on the stands this Wednesday, February 29th, 2012.

Check out the rest of the preview below. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Green Arrow #126 – November 1997