5 Black Superman in the DC Universe!
Superman is one of DC’s mainstay superheroes who is very well known throughout the world. First appeared in 1938, until now there are a number of Superman variants that exist in the DC Multiverse. Interestingly, unlike the variants in general, there are several Superman variants that represent the black community. This allows the DC universe to be more diverse, especially regarding Superman as the most popular character. These black Superman variants are finally known by fans as Black Superman. Who are they? Here are the Black Superman in the DC Universe!
Steel
Steel is the first Black Superman to debut shortly after Doomsday kills Clark Kent in the story The Death of Superman (1992). Black Superman, whose real name is John Henry Irons, is one of four characters who claim to be Superman’s successor. Apart from Steel, the rest are Superboy, Cyborg Superman, and The Eradicator. The difference from the others, only Steel wore armor and used a kinetic hammer, to cover up his weakness as an ordinary human. Although others are as strong as the original Superman, but for Lois Lane only Steel has a heart like Clark Kent.
Kal-El (Earth-D)
In comics Legends of the DC Universe: Crisis on Infinite Earths (1999), Barry Allen aka Flash from the main universe stumbled across an alternate universe Earth-D. The letter D in the universe name itself is an acronym for Diversity. That is why in this universe there is a black version of Kal-El who founded and led the Justice Alliance. Its members consist of Flash Asia, Green Arrow Indian, Black Supergirl, and oddly enough Batman who is still white. Their final mission is to fight the Anti-Monitor who at that moment wants to destroy the DC Multiverse.
Calvin Ellis
Perhaps of all the Black Superman variants in the DC Multiverse, Kalel aka Calvin Ellis is the most popular among fans. Debut in comics Final Crisis #7 (2009), Calvin’s design and character are based on the 44th president of America, Barack Obama. In terms of strength, Calvin has everything Superman has, including being able to fly, superhuman strength, heat vision, and breath of ice. The difference is that Black Superman is the president on Earth-23. Now he’s even part of the superhero team Justice Incarnate that protects the multiverse from all its threats.
Val-Zod
Val-Zod is the Black Superman who appeared when DC tried to remodel its entire universe with a story New 52 (2011). The hallmark of Val-Zod is its white crest and wings, unlike Superman in general. He is told to exist on Earth-2 which at that time had lost most of its superheroes at the hands of Darkseid. The difference with other Superman variants, Val-Zod has super intelligence which includes Kryptonian knowledge. In one of his stories he even created two anti-fire Batsuits which he later gave to Batman.
Ronan Kent
Finally, maybe not many know that in the very distant future of DC there is Black Superman whose real name is Ronan Kent. He is Superman who existed in the 30th century as the leader of the House of El in the Future State universe. His strengths and weaknesses are completely the same as most Superman in the DC Multiverse. He is strong due to Earth’s yellow sunlight and also weak to green kryptonite. Interestingly, he has a younger brother named Rowan Kent, who takes on the identity of the Blue Lantern in his universe.
Those are the five Black Superman that exist in the DC Universe, as evidence of the diversity of the universe. The existence of these Black Superman has proven that DC also really respects minorities in America, so they make their flagship superhero variant as a representative of the black community. Strengths and weaknesses, they are all no different from Clark Kent in the main universe. However, because of their different appearance, this is what makes these Black Superman feel more unique as well as interesting.
