Have you ever wondered, "Why Do Black Superheroes Have Electric Powers?" Me too. We have the answer, but you won't like it. The post Why Do Black Superheroes Have Electric Powers? appeared first on Super. Black..
Have you ever said out loud, “Why do black superheroes have electric powers?” It is a valid question, as many of our favorite melanin-infused meta-heroes generate countless joules of electricity. But why?
Why do black superheroes have electric powers?
Why do so many Black superheroes have electricity powers? I have scoured and searched but can’t find a clear reason. The short answer is I don’t know. The long answer is no one knows. It’s a trope that has existed for decades, starting as far back as Black Lighting in the 1970s.
It isn’t a bad thing, but it is ubiquitous. You can’t turn around twice without tripping over an electricity-powered Black superhero. Much like the “Black characters with metal limbs” trope. It simply exists as a crutch when writers need powers for a character. That being said, electricity powers are awesome, and some of the best superheroes wield the mighty power of Zeus.
Storm – Marvel’s X-Men
Storm – Why Do Black Superheroes Have Electric Powers
Ororo Munroe, a.k.a Storm, is one of the most powerful mutants in the X-Men universe. The weather goddess is imbued with the ability to bend and control the elements to her will. She can generate lightning, create windstorms, and even manipulate our Earth’s climate. Storm’s electricity powers are particularly potent, and she can use them to create devastating lightning bolts, short circuit a toaster oven or two, and superheat metal, which comes in handy when those annoying Sentinels show up.
Storm harnesses the Earth’s electromagnetic field to generate her lightning powers. This allows her to control the energy flow through the atmosphere, creating her weather effects. The Queen of Wakanda’s powers are so strong that she can generate enough electricity to power a city while also making a TicTik. Who are we kidding? She has no time for that.
Static – Milestone Comics / DC Comics
Static – Why Do Black Superheroes Have Electric Powers
Virgil Hawkins is Static, a superhero from the Milestone Comics Dakotaverse. After the cataclysmic Big Bang, he and numerous other characters in Milestone were imbued with powers. They are called Bang Babies. Thought you’d like to know that. Static was lucky enough to escape major harm and come out the other end with immense electrical abilities. Static’s powers allow him to control and manipulate electromagnetism. That offers him a great deal of flexibility regarding whooping on criminals.
Armed with his trusty Static Saucer, Static can fly through the air like Kit from Tail Spin. Does anyone get that reference? His myriad of static-based and electromagnetic powers, not to mention his gadgets and intellect, makes Vigil one of the most potent electricity-based heroes around. Not to mention, Static is a very popular superhero among young people and Black culture. Static and Milestone Comics, in its entirety, are praised for their positive representation of African-American youth and heroes.
Thunderer of Earth 7 – DC Comics
