In 1968, Lee used Stan’s Soapbox, a monthly column which ran from 1965-2001 to publicly condemn racism.
“Racism and bigotry are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today,” Lee wrote. “But, unlike a team of costumed super villains, they can’t be halted with a punch in the snoot or a zap from a ray gun. The only way to destroy them, is to expose them — to reveal from the insidious evil they really are.”
He re-shared the message in 2017 when a demonstrator was killed and several others were injured after counter protesting a white supremacist rally.
Because of Marvel millions of Black girls around the world were written into the stories of the superheroes they idolized.
Storm, “X-Men” & “Avengers”
Storm is one of the first Black female characters of African descent to appear in the franchise in 1975. Under the creation of Len Wein and Dave Cockrum. Storm’s character was born as Ororo Munroe, to a Kenyan tribal princess and an American photojournalist. She has superhuman abilities to control the atmosphere and the weather. Storm is one of the most prominent comic book characters as a member of the popular X-Men.
Created in 1975 by writer Tony Isabella with artist Arvell Jones, Knight was a former NYPD detective who lost her right arm in a bomb explosion. She was given a bionic replacement by Iron Man, Tony Starks. Her character was based on the strong black female leads of the 1970’s Blaxploitation films.
Okoye, “Black Panther” & “Avengers”
Okoye first appeared in 1998 as a character in Black Panther. Her character was created by writers Christopher Priest and Mark Texeira. She is a member of the Dora Milaje, a group of powerful African women warriors whose main job is to protect the leader of Wakanda.
Nakia, “Black Panther” & “Avengers”
Nakia’s character also first appeared in 1998. She is also a loyal member of the Dora Milaje, but is later exiled after making numerous death attempts on Wakanda’s king, T’Challa.
Nightshade, “Captain America” & “Luke Cage”
Nightshade or Tilda Johnson first appeared in the Marvel franchise as a character in Captain America in 1973. Like Misty Knight, the character was largely influenced by the Blaxploitation movement. Her character is a highly skilled scientist who uses her knowledge of biochemistry, robotics or physics. She secretly secretes a chemical pheromone that causes werewolves to respond to her demands. For this she is also sometimes known as “Queen of the Werewolves.”
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