Comments on: What If? Superman was Black? http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:12:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: SIFUHUIE1SBCGLOBAL.NET http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-8171 SIFUHUIE1SBCGLOBAL.NET Mon, 21 May 2007 18:40:57 +0000 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-8171 What if Black Superman landed in Asia(Japan, China, Korea), Germany , Africa. His upbring would be different but ultimatelyonce he reviewed his father's archives he would know that he cannot adhere to on ideology . He would consider the greater good for all and bring the hurt to all bed guys throught the Earth no matter what country they represent or how much money is in their bank accounts. If he were raised in Africa there would likely be no forced occupation or genecide like what's going on today. the so-called world leader would likely be working with lex luthor or whomever to try to control or destroy Balck Superman. What if Black Superman landed in Asia(Japan, China, Korea), Germany , Africa. His upbring would be different but ultimatelyonce he reviewed his father’s archives he would know that he cannot adhere to on ideology . He would consider the greater good for all and bring the hurt to all bed guys throught the Earth no matter what country they represent or how much money is in their bank accounts. If he were raised in Africa there would likely be no forced occupation or genecide like what’s going on today. the so-called world leader would likely be working with lex luthor or whomever to try to control or destroy Balck Superman.

]]> By: A.J. http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-4951 A.J. Wed, 04 Apr 2007 01:52:40 +0000 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-4951 Hey West, would that make Kal-El "Blackfoot" ? Hey West, would that make Kal-El “Blackfoot” ?

]]> By: A.J. http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-4950 A.J. Wed, 04 Apr 2007 01:50:29 +0000 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-4950 I find all this to be very interesting conjecture but I must make one note re: Superman being black & born (hatched) or landing in North Africa in the 1100's. Were he black in North Africa at that time he would most likely be a slave, because N. Africa at that time, as now, was dominated by Semitic Peoples, The Moors, not Blacks. Had he been born in Timbuktu at that time, well I think that, unpopular though it may be to say, slavery would have still existed, but there would have been a strong African kingdom to profit from it not the Arabs in the North. I find all this to be very interesting conjecture but I must make one note re: Superman being black & born (hatched) or landing in North Africa in the 1100’s. Were he black in North Africa at that time he would most likely be a slave, because N. Africa at that time, as now, was dominated by Semitic Peoples, The Moors, not Blacks. Had he been born in Timbuktu at that time, well I think that, unpopular though it may be to say, slavery would have still existed, but there would have been a strong African kingdom to profit from it not the Arabs in the North.

]]> By: West http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-1636 West Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:32:29 +0000 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-1636 The question gets more interesting, the more you think about it. And there are so very many ways to think about it. I'd probably first imagine the scenario wherein a Black Kryptonian was found and raised by the Kents. Basically, I'd want to see how things would've been if EVERYTHING were kept constant EXCEPT for Supes' ethnicity/skin color. I'd be curious about how the different Superman incarnations, from various eras, would've differed, as well (i.e. Golden- & Silver-Age Superman). I doubt he ever would've "existed" if he'd started off as a Black character concept back in ~1938. He'd have likely been poorly-written in the 60's and 70's, complete with silly catch-phrases and kryptonite malt liquor that he couldn't stop drinking, even as it was killing him. Finally, I'd also be curious about what kind of story would've developed if Supes had been Black AND raised by a Black couple. Interesting stuff. Thanks to "Son of Blog-El" for the link. -West The question gets more interesting, the more you think about it. And there are so very many ways to think about it.

I’d probably first imagine the scenario wherein a Black Kryptonian was found and raised by the Kents. Basically, I’d want to see how things would’ve been if EVERYTHING were kept constant EXCEPT for Supes’ ethnicity/skin color.

I’d be curious about how the different Superman incarnations, from various eras, would’ve differed, as well (i.e. Golden- & Silver-Age Superman). I doubt he ever would’ve “existed” if he’d started off as a Black character concept back in ~1938. He’d have likely been poorly-written in the 60’s and 70’s, complete with silly catch-phrases and kryptonite malt liquor that he couldn’t stop drinking, even as it was killing him.

Finally, I’d also be curious about what kind of story would’ve developed if Supes had been Black AND raised by a Black couple.

Interesting stuff. Thanks to “Son of Blog-El” for the link.

-West

]]> By: Boredyesterday http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-1081 Boredyesterday Wed, 27 Dec 2006 18:40:15 +0000 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-1081 I'm afraid Ma and Pa Kent would never have picked him up, because they'd be afraid of what the neighbors would think -- mixed race families in the 1930s. Kal-el would have been left to raise himself as a feral child, though invulnerable and dangerous. He'd be like the legend of bigfoot -- nobody could catch him. I’m afraid Ma and Pa Kent would never have picked him up, because they’d be afraid of what the neighbors would think — mixed race families in the 1930s. Kal-el would have been left to raise himself as a feral child, though invulnerable and dangerous. He’d be like the legend of bigfoot — nobody could catch him.

]]> By: one diverse comic book nation » THE SHORT STACK: Diversity On The ‘Net - December 21, 2006 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-963 one diverse comic book nation » THE SHORT STACK: Diversity On The ‘Net - December 21, 2006 Fri, 22 Dec 2006 04:12:02 +0000 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-963 [...] What If? Superman Was Black? - Bahlactus writes a really intelligently written entry about what Superman would be like if he were black. “Would he even become known as Superman?,” he asks. I love this entry because he asks all the right questions that a creator should ask when developing a character from a non-white race or ethnicity. Of course Superman would be different if he were black because, while many want to live in a “color blind” society, this entry reflects on how being “color blind” would create a homogenized world rather than embracing our socio-cultural and political differences and experiences based on the race and/or ethnicity that we come from. I do, however, believe that, no matter what race Superman was from, he would always be a symbol for hope. How that’s played out would remain to be seen. (from Always Bet On Bahlactus) [...] [...] What If? Superman Was Black? - Bahlactus writes a really intelligently written entry about what Superman would be like if he were black. “Would he even become known as Superman?,” he asks. I love this entry because he asks all the right questions that a creator should ask when developing a character from a non-white race or ethnicity. Of course Superman would be different if he were black because, while many want to live in a “color blind” society, this entry reflects on how being “color blind” would create a homogenized world rather than embracing our socio-cultural and political differences and experiences based on the race and/or ethnicity that we come from. I do, however, believe that, no matter what race Superman was from, he would always be a symbol for hope. How that’s played out would remain to be seen. (from Always Bet On Bahlactus) [...]

]]> By: Garth http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-959 Garth Fri, 22 Dec 2006 02:41:02 +0000 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-959 Hopefully DC will get around to doing a black Superman Elseworlds story someday. I would worry about them messing it up though. Until then here are some black Superman links: The Earth D Superman & Supergirl from Legends of the DC Universe Crisis on Infinite Earths: http://www.blacksuperhero.com/exhibithtml/detail.cfm?id=37 And here they are again in Crisis On Infinite Earths Special - The Untold History: http://images2.fotosik.pl/98/7ac74c53078e18e6.jpg How about a movie? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0122116/ How about a music video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2uTJoO6OmQ Hopefully DC will get around to doing a black Superman Elseworlds story someday. I would worry about them messing it up though.
Until then here are some black Superman links:
The Earth D Superman & Supergirl from Legends of the DC Universe Crisis on Infinite Earths:
http://www.blacksuperhero.com/exhibithtml/detail.cfm?id=37

And here they are again in Crisis On Infinite Earths Special - The Untold History:
http://images2.fotosik.pl/98/7ac74c53078e18e6.jpg

How about a movie?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0122116/

How about a music video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2uTJoO6OmQ

]]> By: Dean Trippe http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-958 Dean Trippe Fri, 22 Dec 2006 02:26:05 +0000 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-958 That'd make a sweet Elseworlds, if handled really well. I'd hope black Superman would have an increased social responsibility, beyond that of the version we know. Maybe he'd be a Superman that was more concerned with injustice for people around the world rather than with criminals wrecking property in the richest city in America. To me, that's the biggest problem with Superman -- he needs less American Way and way more Truth and Justice. Would he have the same secret identity job? Man, my mind's running wild. Great idea, Bahlactus. :) That’d make a sweet Elseworlds, if handled really well. I’d hope black Superman would have an increased social responsibility, beyond that of the version we know. Maybe he’d be a Superman that was more concerned with injustice for people around the world rather than with criminals wrecking property in the richest city in America.

To me, that’s the biggest problem with Superman — he needs less American Way and way more Truth and Justice.

Would he have the same secret identity job? Man, my mind’s running wild. Great idea, Bahlactus. :)

]]> By: Jeff Munson http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-957 Jeff Munson Fri, 22 Dec 2006 02:18:54 +0000 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-957 Caleb, sounds like we have similar tastes because I absolutely loved AMERICAN WAY. I need to remember to tell Bahlactus to pick that up when it comes out in trade.... oh wait, I probably just did! Caleb, sounds like we have similar tastes because I absolutely loved AMERICAN WAY. I need to remember to tell Bahlactus to pick that up when it comes out in trade…. oh wait, I probably just did!

]]> By: Thomas http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-951 Thomas Fri, 22 Dec 2006 01:17:16 +0000 http://bahlactus.com/2006/12/what-if-blacksuperman/#comment-951 Regarding "Sunshine Superman," I'm guessing that Morrison just considered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Superman_(song)" rel="nofollow">the Donovan song from '66</a> and ran with it. Animal Man #23-24 were excellent examples of metafiction. Morrison expanded on the fact that Psycho Pirate was the last to remember the original Crisis, going so far as to make him realize that he and everything else in his reality was fiction. And so, the Pirate proceeded to create his own army by calling forth renegade heroes from lost DC storylines. Among these was Sunshine Superman (from Earth-17). I've got the page around here somewhere ... ah, <a href="http://lh4.google.com/image/grabbingsand/RYsxx7T9txI/AAAAAAAAABE/UPejVRcReGs/animalman23_p14.jpg" rel="nofollow">here it is</a>. Regarding “Sunshine Superman,” I’m guessing that Morrison just considered the Donovan song from ‘66 and ran with it.

Animal Man #23-24 were excellent examples of metafiction. Morrison expanded on the fact that Psycho Pirate was the last to remember the original Crisis, going so far as to make him realize that he and everything else in his reality was fiction. And so, the Pirate proceeded to create his own army by calling forth renegade heroes from lost DC storylines. Among these was Sunshine Superman (from Earth-17).

I’ve got the page around here somewhere … ah, here it is.

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