Minorities in cartoons: Batwing
This week’s minorities in cartoons entry is Batwing, a DC Comics superhero. The original Batwing was created by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham.
Black Africans
Minorities in cartoons: Jacques Foccart (Invisible Kid)
This week’s minorities in cartoons entry is Jacques Foccart, aka the second Invisible Kid. Jacques is a member of DC Comics’ Legion of Super-Heroes.
Minorities in cartoons: Doctor Mist
This week’s minorities in cartoons entry is Doctor Mist, a DC Comics superhero. Doctor Mist first appeared in “Super Friends” #12 (June 1978), and was created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Ramona Fradon.
Doctor Mist’s origin states he was originally known as Nommo, a wizard who was also the ruler of the fictional ancient African empire of Kor. 11,000 years ago, Nommo stood in the “Pillar of Life,” which granted him immortality.
Minorities in cartoons: Danielle Foccart
This week’s minorities in cartoons entry is Danielle Foccart, a DC Comics character. Danielle first appeared in “Legion of Super-Heroes Annual” #2 (1982). She was created by Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen. Background Danielle first appeared as the preteen younger sister of Jacques Foccart; both siblings hail from the 30th century’s Ivory Coast in Africa. … Read more
Minorities in cartoons: Black Panther
This week’s minorities in cartoons entry is Black Panther (real name: T’Challa), a Marvel superhero. Black Panther (no relation to the African-American political movement of the 60s) first appeared in “Fantastic Four” #52 (July 1966). Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created T’Challa. Background Black Panther has the distinction of being the first Black superhero in … Read more
RIP Nelson Mandela
On Thursday came news of the death of Nelson Mandela. One of the great modern civil rights leaders, Mandela’s famed for his fight against the apartheid regime of South Africa. Much has been written or portrayed about Mandela in various forms of media, including in comics and animation. Off the top of my head, the … Read more
Minorities in cartoons: Lothar
This week’s minorities in cartoons entry is Lothar, a character from the long-running newspaper adventure strip “Mandrake the Magician.” Lothar was created by “Mandrake”‘s creator, Lee Falk, and first appeared in 1934. Background Some sources I found claim Lothar is the first recurring Black character in a newspaper comic strip, as well as the first … Read more
Minorities in cartoons: “Captain Planet and the Planeteers”
This week’s minorities in cartoons entry is “Captain Planet and the Planeteers.” Debuting in 1990 on TBS, the series ran for six seasons. Background The series was created to promote environmental awareness among youths watching. It was one of the first major cartoons to do so. The show’s premise: Gaia, the “spirit of the Earth,” … Read more
Minorities in cartoons: Vixen
This week’s entry is DC superheroine Vixen. Vixen (real name: Mari Jiwe McCabe) first appeared in “Action Comics” #521 in 1981. Gerry Conway and Bob Oksner created Mari. Background Mari was raised in a (fictional) African nation. After her parents’ deaths, Mari eventually moved to America. There, Mari became highly regarded in the modeling and fashion … Read more
Minorities in cartoons: Storm
This week’s entry is probably the most well-known Black superheroine, Storm. Introduced in “Giant Size X-Men” #1 in 1975, Storm (real name: Ororo Munroe) has since become one of the most popular members of the team. Storm was created by Len Wein and David Cockrum. As her name implies, Storm’s mutant superpower is the ability … Read more