15 Comic Book 'Firsts' You Didn't Know
11. Lion-Man - First Black Superhero
Orrin C. Evans was one of the most influential African-American journalists in the early 20th century. He was so light-skinned, he could easily pass as white and used this to his advantage when pitching articles about the African-American community. He also published the first comic to be created, drawn, and written solely by African-Americans - All-Negro Comics. The issue had multiple stories about the African characters, including the first black superhero, Lion Man.
Lion Man's name is never given in the story but he is described as an American-born scientist who was sent by the United Nations to Africa to secure the world's largest deposit of uranium. Since there is enough uranium to create an atomic bomb, Lion Man's duty is to stop any terrorists attempting to weaponise the material.
Sadly, Lion Man only made one appearance. Despite the fact Evans had the artwork ready for the follow-up, vendors refused to sell him newsprint. It is believed that companies like Fawcett Comics didn't want competition and pressurised newsprint wholesalers not to work with Evans.
After Evan's comic magazine tanked, Fawcett Comics began releasing black-themed titles, where dark-skinned characters were usually depicted as comic relief or inappropriate stereotypes.