Missed These? 8 Black Superhero Debut Comics Every Serious Collector Needs
The viability of modern Black superhero comic books is in a state of flux. Marvel has a few scant ongoing comic books with Black superhero leads. DC has had none since 2023’s I Am Batman ongoing series. This fact does not count limited series, mini-series, or one-shots, only Black-led ongoing series. Since 2023, there have been no ongoing series with a Black lead at DC. In early June, an advocacy group sought to stage a boycott to bring light to the issue but was unsuccessful.
Whether you care about the issue is not the point, not entirely. The point is that the importance of Black comic book characters is slowly being forgotten by some.
There are many comic books featuring Black superhero debuts that do not get enough notice in comic book history. Robbie Robertson, a major Spider-Man supporting character, made his debut in a comic now worth $8,000. The first appearance of Lion-Man, the first Black superhero in America, is worth over $19,000.
Here are eight comic books featuring vital Black superhero debuts that you must collect now.
1. All-Negro Comics #1 (1947)
Lion-Man is one of the most important Black superhero debuts in history, but many people have never heard of him. Orrin C. Evans, along with an all-Black creator staff and team, made All-Negro Comics #1 in 1947 in the waning decades of Jim Crow. Only one issue saw the light of day, and the character was forgotten by history.
Lion-Man was an agent of the U.N. protecting Gold Mountain, a mountain full of uranium ore, in Africa. The character was an obvious inspiration for Black Panther. Lion-Man was the first Black superhero in the United States, but he has been fully forgotten.
This historic comic is worth $19,200 with a 6.5 CGC grade.
2. Amazing Spider-Man #51 (1967) Marvel
Robbie Robertson is one of the first serious Black supporting characters to appear in Marvel Comics. While Robertson is not a superhero, he is superhero adjacent and makes this list. Robertson is a high-ranking editor at the Daily Bugle and a good friend to J. Jonah Jameson. Actor Bill Nunn was cast as Robertson in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films.
A copy of this comic with a 9.8 CGC grade is worth over $8,000.
3. DC Comics Presents #26 (1980) DC
Black superhero debuts, like the first appearance of Cyborg, are vital to DC Comics canon. Victor Stone was a brilliant student and athlete who was mortally wounded in an experiment conducted by his scientist parents. Victor’s father would add cybernetic implants to Victor’s body; Victor would later become the superhero Cyborg.
A 9.8 CGC variant of this comic is worth $932. The newsstand variant of this comic with the same grade is worth $1,150.
4. Teen Titans #26 (1970) DC
Black superhero debuts can sometimes go without notice when it comes to history. Mal Duncan might technically be the first Black superhero at DC; Duncan had the first interracial kiss with Lillith Clay, also known as Omen. Duncan has also been known as Hornblower, Guardian, and Vox. Sometimes he has no powers; sometimes he has sonic blasts or the power to open portals.
He is a Black superhero with a backstory so complex that the character never found mainstream appeal. Duncan appeared as a Guardian in the cartoon Young Justice.
A near-perfect copy of this comic is worth $461.
5. X-Men #282 (1991) Marvel
This issue is the debut of the mutant Bishop. Lucas Bishop was born in a dystopian future where the Sentinels rule the world. Bishop was born in a mutant concentration camp where the X-Men were only known as a myth. Bishop then went into the past and became a member of the X-Men. He has the power to absorb and redirect any kinetic energy directed at him.
A near-perfect copy of this comic is worth $101.
6. Hardware Platinum #1 (1993) Milestone Media
Hardware is the first comic book from Milestone Media in 1993. Milestone Media was the first modern comic book company with a majority Black staff with a goal to make a comic book universe with majority Black characters.
Curtis Metcalf is a child prodigy and technological genius. He develops a suit of armor to fight crime while working under the sponsorship and employment of mogul Edwin Alva.
However, Alva is a crime kingpin; Metcalf was unwittingly getting his resources to fight crime from the big bad he now needs to take down.
The rare Platinum color cover of this comic is worth over $218.
7. Icon Newsstand Variant #1 (1993) Milestone Media
Icon is a Black Superman analogue with a twist. Augustus Freeman was an alien child who crash-landed on Earth in 1839 in America in the South. The alien assumes the form of an enslaved woman who raises him.
The alien is long-living and assumes the identity of his imaginary descendants to fit in with society. Augustus Freeman is now Augustus Freeman IV.
Freeman is a conservative Black lawyer who fights crime as Icon with his sidekick, Rocket.
The newsstand variant of this important comic is worth $228 in near mint condition.
8. Blood Syndicate #1 (1993) Milestone Media
This comic features one of the most popular Black superhero debuts ever, Virgil Ovid Hawkins, also known as Static. Static was the breakout character from the Milestone Media stable of characters. Most modern fans know Static as Static Shock from the popular cartoon. Milestone Media and DC have been reintroducing the Milestone characters in new comics in recent years.
A copy of this comic with a CGC grade of 9.8 is worth $79.
Modern Black Superhero Comics
Whether or not you agree about the issue of modern Black superhero comics and ongoing series, no one can question the importance of Black characters in comics. Boycotts are not going to help as much as buying comic books featuring characters you appreciate. Support the mainstream and indie publishers publishing comics that you like now, so you don’t have to boycott later.
And remember that some of the most valuable key comics out there feature the first appearances of vital Black characters.
This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase anything through these affiliated links, the author/website may earn a commission.
You May Also Like…
- A Detour on Diversity: Did DC and Marvel Give Up on Black Superhero-Led Comics?
- These 7 Landmark Debuts of Black Superheroes Could Heat Up the Market
- 10 Reasons Mr. Terrific is the Smartest Man Alive
- Black Panther’s White Son Breaks the Internet – Marvel Knights: The World to Come #1
- 7 Independent Comic Books With Major Black Characters You Must Know About
Allen Francis is the lead staff writer for PFAdvice.com at District Media, Inc., specializing in comic book investing, collectibles, popular culture, and practical wealth-building strategies. A New York City native, Marymount Manhattan College graduate, and former college academic advisor, librarian, and adjunct instructor, he brings 15+ years of professional writing experience and a proven personal transformation from financial illiteracy to expert collector. He also the author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing.