There are three black Supermen in DC comics lore that have amazing backstories that need to be told. Unfortunately, Hollywood isn't interested. Instead, they want to do something dumb. As a comic book fan for over 40 years, I get irritated when Hollywood alters superheroes who have been around since the 1930s and 1940s, and the current idea is just ridiculous. Warner Brothers now wants to make a new Superman movie featuring a black man as Clark Kent (Dumb idea) Hollywood and DC Comics should be telling the stories of the characters who already exist- not changing the ethnicity of an existing character. Today's blog will tell you about those Supermen.
1) Calvin Ellis (right) is the Superman of Earth-23. Also the U.S. President, he leads a Multiversal Justice League (Justice Incarnate).
HIS STORY: Years ago, the planet Krypton was annihilated in a cataclysmic explosion, leaving almost nothing left. Shortly before the catastrophe, young scientists Jorel and Lara managed to rocket their infant child, Kalel, into the depths of space, where he would eventually land on the planet Earth. Found by the poor but kind Ellis family, who christened him Calvin, he was raised to stand up for himself no matter the odds, and to fight for what's right. When his star-spanning Kryptonian powers emerged under Earth's yellow sun, he became Superman, champion of the oppressed and defender of peace around the world.
Superman would fight many battles against the likes of Lex Luthor, construct the citadel of Fort Superman, and inspire a generation of superheroes by his emergence who would form the Justice League. But his greatest adventure of all may be, in his identity as Calvin Ellis, becoming the President of the United States of America, where aided by his long-suffering assistant Courtney and the reprogrammed alien intelligence Brainiac, he works to protect the world with political as well as superhuman might.
2) Val Zod (left) became the Superman of "New 52" Earth-2 after Clark Kent died in battle with a villian. He has a fascinating back story:He was found by the new Wonders who were looking for the mysterious alien to fight a brainwashed Superman and they discovered that he too was a Kryptonian. Suffering a panic attack after being freed, Val revealed that he spent most of his life on a capsule, thus he was afraid of open spaces. So Lois Lane told him that it was okay to be afraid and that, being a Kryptonian, he could do something to help everyone. Starting to develop his abilities, Lois tried to teach Val how to use his powers by finally going outdoors and try to fly. He was doing his best when they were attacked by a horde of Parademons lead by Superman who was behind Val.[2] Saved by Lois, he and Hawkgirl were alone against the Parademons until they were saved by Green Lantern who took them to safety. Worried about Lois, Val told Batman that they must save her, but their plan was interrupted by Apokoliptian forces who forced them to evacuate the Batcave [6] and escape to Amazonia. Batman blamed Val for not using his powers and letting Red Arrow die, saying it's all on him. When Jimmy approached him, he told him that it wasn't his fault before asking him what he was hiding beneath his hoodie, to which he revealed was the symbol of the House of El (Superman's symbol).
3) Steel - John Henry Irons was one of the Supermen who stepped in to fight crime after Superman temporarily "died." Steel became an amazing hero in his own right. **NOTE: This character is NOW featured in the HIT CW television show "Superman and Lois" and they gave him an interesting back story.
(Photo: Actor Wole Parks playing Steel/John Henry Irons in the CW Network TV show "Superman and Lois)
That's how it should be done.
Film History note: There was a theatrical movie release about the character, but it was a big failure, sadly. Here's the reference about the film from WIKIPEDIA:
"Steel is a 1997 American superhero film loosely based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The film stars Shaquille O'Neal as John Henry Irons and his alter-ego Steel, Annabeth Gish as his wheelchair-using partner Susan Sparks, and Judd Nelson as their rival Nathaniel Burke. The plot centers on an accident caused by Burke which leaves Sparks paralyzed. The accident results in Irons quitting his job. Burke begins mass-producing weapons and selling them to criminals. In order to stop Burke, Irons and Sparks create a suit of armor that leads Irons to become the superhero Steel.
Written and directed by Kenneth Johnson, the film separates itself from the comic book series (and John Henry Irons' status as a supporting character of Superman) by using original protagonists and antagonists. On its initial release, Steel was a box office bomb and was panned by critics, who complained about the film's "cheesiness" and bad acting."
NOTE: I did not see this film in 1997- it wasn't in theaters in Kentucky where I was going to school
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(The Original Superman and Clark Kent. Don't mess with him, movie makers. Cr: DC Comics)
Many New Characters Created - I agree there needs to be many more black, Asian, Hispanic, Indian, and Native American heroes and villains, but CREATE THEM- just leave the established characters alone! Look what DC Comics just did with the "Painkiller" character on the CW Netwrok's TV show Black Lightning. DC Comics created Katana, a sword-wielding Japanese hero; The New Super-Man from China; Batwing a black batman family character, Orphan, an Asian Bat-family character, Wildcat- Yolanda Montez, an Hispanic hero and many others.
I agree with this: A Twitter comics fan named Killafoe noted: If Sony and Marvel has enough trust in its consumer to accept a Black Spider-Man and Black Captain America without them being named “Peter Parker” or “Steve Rogers” DC should be able to trust in a black Superman that isn’t Clark Kent.
