Comments on: 365 Reasons to Love Comics #41 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/ Comic Book Resources Presents... Comics Should Be Good! Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:28:50 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: The Kirbydotter http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-64933 The Kirbydotter Sat, 10 Mar 2007 20:44:43 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-64933 I don't think Nubia is a racist name either. Wasn't Nubia an african empire from the time of the Egyptians pharaoes? At the very least, nubians were among the elite mercenaries that pharaoes employed in their conquests. Anyway, I think she is an important character even if I don't think I ever read one of the stories pictured here. The first cover reminds me how DC was so afraid about introducing black characters in their comics. Nubia is fully armored on the cover and there is no way for most casual readers to know that a black character will be introduced inside without opening up the book. During Jim Shooter's original run as Legion of Superheroes writer, he introduced many new legionnaires. Among them was Ferro Lad, also fully masked. In fan magazine interviews he stated that he intended to unmask Ferro Lad and reveal him to be a black kid. Conservative editor Weisinger certainly couldn't approve this and Shooter decided to kill his newly introduced character rather than compromize his original idea. The same thing happened in the Nick Cardy run of Teen Titans with the whole Jericho story that was suppose to introduce a black hero which was censored by DC. I don't think Nubia is a racist name either.
Wasn't Nubia an african empire from the time of the Egyptians pharaoes? At the very least, nubians were among the elite mercenaries that pharaoes employed in their conquests.

Anyway, I think she is an important character even if I don't think I ever read one of the stories pictured here.

The first cover reminds me how DC was so afraid about introducing black characters in their comics. Nubia is fully armored on the cover and there is no way for most casual readers to know that a black character will be introduced inside without opening up the book.

During Jim Shooter's original run as Legion of Superheroes writer, he introduced many new legionnaires. Among them was Ferro Lad, also fully masked. In fan magazine interviews he stated that he intended to unmask Ferro Lad and reveal him to be a black kid. Conservative editor Weisinger certainly couldn't approve this and Shooter decided to kill his newly introduced character rather than compromize his original idea.

The same thing happened in the Nick Cardy run of Teen Titans with the whole Jericho story that was suppose to introduce a black hero which was censored by DC.

]]> By: PretenderNX01 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-52185 PretenderNX01 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 03:47:05 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-52185 Lynxara, in "Dreamgirls" the character Deena Jones wants to star in a black Cleopatra movie. Which is considered odd, as Mark pointed out, since its well known that Cleopatra was predominantly Greek and she was the first queen of Egypt who had to learn Egyptian. (I'm sure white people taking over African nations is not new to the past few millennium) Thanks for the heads up on all the non-black "Black" characters. All I could think of in terms of "Black" names were Black Lightning- or Black Vulcan on Superfriends-, Black Panther and Black Manta who were African American. Lynxara, in "Dreamgirls" the character Deena Jones wants to star in a black Cleopatra movie. Which is considered odd, as Mark pointed out, since its well known that Cleopatra was predominantly Greek and she was the first queen of Egypt who had to learn Egyptian. (I'm sure white people taking over African nations is not new to the past few millennium)

Thanks for the heads up on all the non-black "Black" characters. All I could think of in terms of "Black" names were Black Lightning- or Black Vulcan on Superfriends-, Black Panther and Black Manta who were African American.

]]> By: Mark http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51890 Mark Tue, 13 Feb 2007 02:39:57 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51890 Ancient Egypt was multi-cultural but the famous Cleopatra (Shakespeare's Cleo) was Greek. Her family essentially were foreign overlords set up to oppress the Egyptian people but her reputation was romanticized over time. In real life she was also overweight. Ancient Egypt was multi-cultural but the famous Cleopatra (Shakespeare's Cleo) was Greek. Her family essentially were foreign overlords set up to oppress the Egyptian people but her reputation was romanticized over time.

In real life she was also overweight.

]]> By: Apodaca http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51875 Apodaca Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:32:27 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51875 Nubia's name is obviously racist. She only has that name because she's black. That's racist. Nubia's name is obviously racist. She only has that name because she's black. That's racist.

]]> By: Lynxara http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51625 Lynxara Mon, 12 Feb 2007 09:42:19 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51625 It's always sort of seemed odd to me that Black Adam is still drawn as a modern Egyptian, when the ancient Egyptian civilization he ruled should have been predominantly black. (Of course, Egyptian culture has been horribly poached in this fashion by many, many media other than comics-- name the last time you saw a black Cleopatra, when by all rights that's what she probably was.) It's always sort of seemed odd to me that Black Adam is still drawn as a modern Egyptian, when the ancient Egyptian civilization he ruled should have been predominantly black.

(Of course, Egyptian culture has been horribly poached in this fashion by many, many media other than comics-- name the last time you saw a black Cleopatra, when by all rights that's what she probably was.)

]]> By: david brothers http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51596 david brothers Mon, 12 Feb 2007 07:35:55 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51596 Considering that Black Adam is currently supposed to be of ancient Egyptian stock, you could make a case for him being black. even then, he isn't actually drawn that way. Considering that Black Adam is currently supposed to be of ancient Egyptian stock, you could make a case for him being black. even then, he isn't actually drawn that way.

]]> By: Bill Reed http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51586 Bill Reed Mon, 12 Feb 2007 07:00:51 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51586 Nah, there's Black Bolt, Black Condor, the Blackhawks, Black Orchid, Black Marvel, Black Adam, the Black Knight, Black Widow, and a bunch of others. Nah, there's Black Bolt, Black Condor, the Blackhawks, Black Orchid, Black Marvel, Black Adam, the Black Knight, Black Widow, and a bunch of others.

]]> By: PretenderNX01 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51572 PretenderNX01 Mon, 12 Feb 2007 06:08:30 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51572 On the subject of names though, I've been thinking and there are a few African-American women I've seen named Ebony. Thats a name that to me means the color black with "Ebony and Ivory" and all that- but those women's parents must have thought differently. I suppose its not much more a stretch to have a woman named or codenamed Nubia. Heck my favorite comic Young Avengers has a character with the codename Wiccan- thats a religion (which it doesn't even seem he practices even if he's got magic powers). So far I think Black Canary is the only character with Black who isn't black. ;) On the subject of names though, I've been thinking and there are a few African-American women I've seen named Ebony. Thats a name that to me means the color black with "Ebony and Ivory" and all that- but those women's parents must have thought differently.

I suppose its not much more a stretch to have a woman named or codenamed Nubia. Heck my favorite comic Young Avengers has a character with the codename Wiccan- thats a religion (which it doesn't even seem he practices even if he's got magic powers).

So far I think Black Canary is the only character with Black who isn't black. ;)

]]> By: PretenderNX01 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51559 PretenderNX01 Mon, 12 Feb 2007 05:31:31 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51559 In the new "Wonder Woman" arc Nemesis tells Diana Prince that Wonder Woman was spotted with a man code named "I Ching" so that's another Silver Age character with a shout out, maybe DC's trying to modernize their old attempts at diversity. Are the Amazons still multi-racial as they were under George Perez's run? Culturally they were all Greek, but created with the souls of women from around the world. Speaking of vaguely racist, why does the black girl have to wear jungle print? In the new "Wonder Woman" arc Nemesis tells Diana Prince that Wonder Woman was spotted with a man code named "I Ching" so that's another Silver Age character with a shout out, maybe DC's trying to modernize their old attempts at diversity.

Are the Amazons still multi-racial as they were under George Perez's run? Culturally they were all Greek, but created with the souls of women from around the world.

Speaking of vaguely racist, why does the black girl have to wear jungle print?

]]> By: Bill Reed http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51481 Bill Reed Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:44:00 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51481 I guess that's what I get for living in the middle of nowhere all my life. I guess that's what I get for living in the middle of nowhere all my life.

]]> By: MarkAndrew http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51462 MarkAndrew Sun, 11 Feb 2007 22:41:01 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51462 Nubia had a heroclix, too. (Heroclick?) I'm a big Nubia fan, despite my rational understanding that she's probably not a very good character. Nubia had a heroclix, too. (Heroclick?)

I'm a big Nubia fan, despite my rational understanding that she's probably not a very good character.

]]> By: Billy F http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51456 Billy F Sun, 11 Feb 2007 22:14:13 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51456 I couldnt stop laughing at the irony that you used the term "spades" in an article blasting racism. ha. I couldnt stop laughing at the irony that you used the term "spades" in an article blasting racism. ha.

]]> By: Dan K http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51452 Dan K Sun, 11 Feb 2007 21:48:39 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51452 "I’m not terribly sure if it’s racist or not, but it’s certainly misleading. She isn’t FROM Nubia, after all. If she were Nubian, it would be less annoying, but it would still define her by her race." You have a point there. But the name could be made to work. The mother of Yehudi Menuhin called him Yehudi (The Jew) so that the world would know that he was proud to be different. You could have somthing similar with Nubia. Maybe she was teased with the name as a child and she embrassed it to show she's proud to be Black. I'm not saying that the name wasn't racist originally but it doesn't have to be. In any case surely Brother Voodoo is just as problematic as Nubia? "I’m not terribly sure if it’s racist or not, but it’s certainly misleading. She isn’t FROM Nubia, after all. If she were Nubian, it would be less annoying, but it would still define her by her race."

You have a point there. But the name could be made to work. The mother of Yehudi Menuhin called him Yehudi (The Jew) so that the world would know that he was proud to be different.

You could have somthing similar with Nubia. Maybe she was teased with the name as a child and she embrassed it to show she's proud to be Black. I'm not saying that the name wasn't racist originally but it doesn't have to be. In any case surely Brother Voodoo is just as problematic as Nubia?

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51448 Greg Burgas Sun, 11 Feb 2007 21:23:33 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51448 "Spade" has been a racial slur for decades, sir. I was sure you didn't know that when you wrote that, because I'm sure you wouldn't have. "Spade" has been a racial slur for decades, sir. I was sure you didn't know that when you wrote that, because I'm sure you wouldn't have.

]]> By: Bill Reed http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51444 Bill Reed Sun, 11 Feb 2007 21:10:16 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51444 Yes. What, is that a derogatory term now, too? Is nothing safe? Yes. What, is that a derogatory term now, too? Is nothing safe?

]]> By: Bill Burns http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51404 Bill Burns Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:48:54 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51404 Speaking of nonchalance, did you unironically write "Nubia has that in spades?" Speaking of nonchalance, did you unironically write "Nubia has that in spades?"

]]> By: Bill Reed http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51401 Bill Reed Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:40:48 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51401 In terms of the name, I agree with Brad and David. (And let's be glad Nubia didn't cause a sudden spin off of "black versions" of superheroes. Unless you count Earth-D, but that was years later.) Nubia, I-Ching, Egg Fu... what's with Wonder Woman and nonchalant racism? Still, all these characters can actually be very cool if one treats them right. And yeah, I heard about Egg Fu (it's Chang Tzu now, right)? Haven't been reading 52, though. Let's hope it works. DC needs their own MODOK. In terms of the name, I agree with Brad and David. (And let's be glad Nubia didn't cause a sudden spin off of "black versions" of superheroes. Unless you count Earth-D, but that was years later.)

Nubia, I-Ching, Egg Fu... what's with Wonder Woman and nonchalant racism? Still, all these characters can actually be very cool if one treats them right.

And yeah, I heard about Egg Fu (it's Chang Tzu now, right)? Haven't been reading 52, though. Let's hope it works. DC needs their own MODOK.

]]> By: scott h http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51385 scott h Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:05:53 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51385 when they pull wonder womans top back at the beginning of that commercial, and then cut to the little boys face, im pretty sure you see him getting wood. and the little black girl, whys she gotta be the villainess huh? thats just wrong. why does the black girl gotta be the villain? "GOTCHA MAJAH!" when they pull wonder womans top back at the beginning of that commercial, and then cut to the little boys face, im pretty sure you see him getting wood.

and the little black girl, whys she gotta be the villainess huh? thats just wrong. why does the black girl gotta be the villain?

"GOTCHA MAJAH!"

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51376 Greg Burgas Sun, 11 Feb 2007 16:47:08 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51376 I'm not terribly sure if it's racist or not, but it's certainly misleading. She isn't FROM Nubia, after all. If she were Nubian, it would be less annoying, but it would still define her by her race. So I would ditch it not necessarily because it's racist (although it may be), but because it's inaccurate. It would be like calling Superman "Gothamite" - he's not from Gotham City! I'm not terribly sure if it's racist or not, but it's certainly misleading. She isn't FROM Nubia, after all. If she were Nubian, it would be less annoying, but it would still define her by her race. So I would ditch it not necessarily because it's racist (although it may be), but because it's inaccurate. It would be like calling Superman "Gothamite" - he's not from Gotham City!

]]> By: Dan K http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/comment-page-1/#comment-51341 Dan K Sun, 11 Feb 2007 14:18:17 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/10/365-reasons-to-love-comics-41/#comment-51341 "It’s problematic/aggravating/annoying/stupid because she’s another in a long line of non-white characters who are either named after or defined by their race. When you look at Golden Claw to Black Goliath to the sudden influx of black people (in the form of gangsters) in the Batbooks back when they did their gun control book a while back, you begin to notice a trend. It’s a way to other-ize another people. Wonder Woman isn’t called Caucasia and Superman isn’t called White Superman." You make a very good point and I agree that its stupid and tedious that every non-white superhero used to have a name that made specific reference to their race. However in the case of Nubia in particular it might make sense. Just hear me out, yeah? Nubia is a character who was abandoned and forgotten about by her own people- perhaps in part because of her difference. This might give a lot of people a low sense of self worth, but she came back fighting and forced her fellow Amazons to accept her as an equal. She seems like just the kind of gutsy character who would take up a racial epithet that had been thrown at her and wear it as a badge of honour because she's not ashamed to be different and she's not about to take any shit from anyone. Well thats what I think anyway. "It’s problematic/aggravating/annoying/stupid because she’s another in a long line of non-white characters who are either named after or defined by their race. When you look at Golden Claw to Black Goliath to the sudden influx of black people (in the form of gangsters) in the Batbooks back when they did their gun control book a while back, you begin to notice a trend.

It’s a way to other-ize another people. Wonder Woman isn’t called Caucasia and Superman isn’t called White Superman."

You make a very good point and I agree that its stupid and tedious that every non-white superhero used to have a name that made specific reference to their race. However in the case of Nubia in particular it might make sense. Just hear me out, yeah?

Nubia is a character who was abandoned and forgotten about by her own people- perhaps in part because of her difference. This might give a lot of people a low sense of self worth, but she came back fighting and forced her fellow Amazons to accept her as an equal.

She seems like just the kind of gutsy character who would take up a racial epithet that had been thrown at her and wear it as a badge of honour because she's not ashamed to be different and she's not about to take any shit from anyone.

Well thats what I think anyway.

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