The hip talk, cool threads and big afros of the Blaxploitation movie craze crossed over into 1970’s comics books, resulting in the creation of a number of new characters like Luke Cage. Cage, the most recognizable character from this period, was a cool, fly, down to earth brother from the hood who always tried to do the right thing. Swagger, style, a way with the ladies and an ass kickin’ for the man. He was the complete badass package.

Luke Cage first appeared in the 1972 comic Hero for Hire. He partnered up with Iron First in the 1978 comic Power Man and Iron Fist. This was Marvel’s attempt to cash in on the popularity of the Bruce Lee and Sonny Chiba genre of Kung Fu films that Black audiences enjoyed (Iron Fist was a White Kung Fu superhero).

Another popular and enduring Black comic book character from the 1970’s is Storm, the African goddess of weather. Storm was introduced in 1975 in the Claremont and Cockrum revamp of “X-Men”. At the time, Black female superheroes were virtually nonexistent. Unlike other marginal Black characters that faded into the background, Storm has become a staple of the X-Men, appearing in comics, cartoons and movies for over 30 years.

The Museum of UnCut Funk Collection includes comic books featuring Luke Cage, Storm and other Black superheroes from the 1960‘s, 1970’s and early 1980’s.

Here is an interview that Sista ToFunky recently gave to Collector’s Quest on the Black Comic Cook Collection:

Below is a small sampling of the comic books that are a part of the Museum of UnCut Funk Collection.

Please check out our exhibition of President Barack Obama comic books. It is the first collection of it’s kind and The Museum of UnCut Funk has taken the lead in preserving these comics in it’s archive.

1 Comment

  • Travis Lucas
    September 6, 2015

    Good evening.
    I just wanted to add Vixen, black female superhero who appeared in DC comics Cancelled Comics Calvacade, Action Comics, Dc Comics presents, and the Justice League of America. Thanks

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