You know, I think Fox News gets a bad and unfair rap as being dumb or being shills for the Republicans.

Then they write up something remarkably stupid like this:

Captain Obama … Is It Time for a Black Comic Book Superhero?

My, what an insightful and well-researched article! Clearly my entire mindset and view need to be changed because of this ground-breaking, hard-hitting journalism! Captain Picard, what do you have to say about this?

“Since their inception, there have been only a few black superheroes in comic books”

In the DCU alone, I can name Vixen, John Stewart Green Lantern, Cyborg, Black Lightning, Lightning, Thunder, Firestorm, Mr. Teriffic II, Amazing Man, Steeland Jakeem Thunder. And that’s just off the top of my head as characters who are currently featured in books.

Jerry Craft, the creator of the “Mama’s Boyz” strip, crafted this fine image of what he’d like a black superhero to look like, called Obamanation:

Yes, what we really want is what looks like a parody character who doesn’t even remotely look aesthetically-pleasing.

“The first black superhero was Marvel’s Black Panther, who showed up in a 1966 Fantastic Four story and has gained some popularity.”

SOME popularity? He’s got his own book (admittedly going over to a woman whose identity has not yet been revealed), was the starring feature of the second Ultimate Avengers animated film, and as the article says, is getting his own animated series soon.

“Robert J. Walker is the creator of Delete, one of the only black female superheroes in comics,”

…Who the hell is Delete and what about Monica Rambeau, Thunder, Lightning, Steel II (not sure what she’s calling herself in Infinity Inc.), the Crimson Avenger II, Storm?

“We can be athletes and rappers, but not Superman. Thor saved the universe, Captain America saved the country, Spider-Man saved the city, but Luke Cage saved 125th Street (in Harlem) between Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevards.”

Luke Cage has been a high-profile member of the Avengers for a few years now, plus at one point convinced the heroes of how they could do more help on a smaller-scale level, which certainly needs to be done from time to time. And he’s, you know, helped save the world. Plus how many times has John Stewart saved planets, just in his role as Green Lantern across the universe or as a member of the Justice League?

I give the article credit to reaching out to independents, including the EXCELLENT artist and writer Spike of Templar, Arizona, but perhaps they should be addressing a FEW more mainstream creators. What about Dwayne McDuffie or Christopher Priest or Tony Isabella?

Is there a lack of black superheroes? Possibly. Black creators? Most certainly. But if you’re not going to bother to do any real research on the subject or make false, blanket statements, then don’t even bother.