Author: torstenvblog

Does anyone remember when Falcon became the new Captain America? Has anyone heard the rumor of Michael B Jordan possibly being the new Superman in the DCEU? Continuing my list of awesome black heroes, in no particular order, let’s continue with our man above…

 6. Falcon-

It’s rarer in comics than to see some closer friends in comics as Captain America and Falcon, a partner and confidant in this day and age. In time, Steve Rodgers would pass his mantle and shield over to his kind hearted friend who would do him proud. Characterized by him orange wings and his red googles, he’s the best wing mate Cap could ask for.

 7. Steel-

I’m going to be honest, the Steel movie was my intro to this character, weirdly after hearing to story of John Henry in school. After seeing the characters badass comic design and the fact he began with the good hearted attempt of carrying on Superman’s legacy, I was hooked. Armed with metal suit and his weaponized hammer, while not the Man of Steel, he’s a hell of a back up.

 8. Luke Cage-

Luke Cage is a simple man with a simple purpose: clean up the streets of Harlem. He doesn’t need a costume, a mask, or fancy moniker. Luke Cage is a simple, down to earth guy who is almost indestructible and quite the bruiser. He’s a good example of redemption and a normal guy trying to help his community.

 9. War Machine-

Of all the characters on this list, War Machine maybe my personal favorite. Beside donning a customized Iron Man suit layered in every gun imaginable with a epic new paint job, I love the man beneath the armor. James Rhodes is Tony Stark’s voice of reason and loyal best friend who wants to defend his country. Honestly, I love old War Machine comics because unlike Stark, I related to Rhodes who was a normal guy facing some crazy ass Rambo level shit without relying on the suit as much as Stark. Plus, dude he’s friggin War Machine…

 10. Black Panther-

Of course I had to talk about King T’ Challa of Wakanda, legendary ruler and protector. With Black Panther winning Marvel it’s first ever Oscar this year, the character is relevant now more than ever. Not only is he a brilliant mind and one of the most humble characters in Marvel, he is one of the most dangerous hand to hand combatants as well being encased in a suit of pure Vibranium, making him virtually energy resistant and armed with gadgetry decades ahead of our technology, Panther deserves a well of respect as one of Marvel’s coolest characters…

I hope you all enjoyed my list for Black History month and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

 February is a huge month with Valentine’s day, my birthday, and of course Black History Month. Throughout comic history, we’ve had some truly great African American characters ranging from badasses, powerhouses, and leaders for us to look up to. So, in no particular order, here’s the first part of my shout out to these characters starting with…

 1. Jon Stewart ( Green Lantern)-

Watching the classic Justice League cartoon as a kid, Stewart immediately was one of my favorites. A traumatized, stalwart Marine Corps sniper turned Lantern, he’s a man who kicks ass. My favorite stories of Blackest Night were his chapters where I became hooked. Attuned to more practical weaponry than Jordan, Gardner, or Ryner, he’s the badass human of the Corps.

 2. Blade-

Called the ” Daywalker” by his prey, Blade is the near perfect vampire killing machine. Half human, half vampire Blade has the strengths of the vampires without the weakness to sunlight. Famous for his epic martial arts and sword skills he strikes fear into vampire kind while silently battling his blood lust making Blade much more compelling than your average vampire hunter.

 3. Storm ( X men)-

For most of us, this iconic X men and weather witch needs no introduction. Ororo Munroe has a fascinating history from being worshiped as a goddess in native Kenya, a orphaned pickpocket, esteemed X men, and even married to the King of Wakanda, Black Panther, at one point. Storm has been been strong and compassionate on countless occasions. Either way, Storm is a force to be reckoned with…

 4. Cyborg-

Vic Stone, much like Blade, faces an internal fight to keep his humanity. While not struggling to refrain from becoming a monster, he struggles not to become a soulless machine. After what should have been a fatal accident, Vic became a subject of his genius father’s experiments in robotics ( and exposure to the Mother Box in some origins) becoming a living machine. With a high intellect consciously connected to the internet, a host of ever evolving cybernetic weaponry and a excited Boo yeah! Cyborg is a welcome member of the Teen Titans and JLA.

 5. Spawn-

Here we finish part one with one of comic’s greatest anti-heroes and one of it’s darkest might I add. Al Simmons was a merc who, after being betrayed, is sent to hell and given a deal to lead hell’s army in exchange for revenge. Spawn betrays the devil and now fights everyone. With a huge host of weaponry and a unlimited supply of demonic powers, Spawn is cruel and relentless against the forces of Hell, heaven, and the wicked who stand in his way.

That was part 1 of 2 of my list and I hope you all enjoyed it. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

I’m sure if anyone has been following my villain lists as of late or are fans of the blog, I’m sure this list wasn’t a huge surprise. Of DC’s huge list of heroes, The Green Lanterns are my second favorites, so let’s talk about there foes, some in fact are huge scaled terrors and this time I have a controversial 7th I feel needs talking about. So, in no particular order, let’s start with…

 1. The Manhunters-

Before the Corps and the Guardians decided to harness the green light of willpower, they created the Manhunters to keep order in the universe. They were machines they went hay-wired and started slaying instead being police. Several worlds fell under these mechanical cops gone bad and they still fight the Lanterns that came after. There influence brings us to my next villain…

 2. Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps-

Atrocitus was a murderous fiend with a bloody grudge against the Green Lantern Corps because the Manhunters paid his world a visit, killing his family and slaying his race. He forged the red ring of Rage, creating his hate fueled Corps. With superior strength, the ability to create red constructs, as well as disperse molten blood from there mouths, the Red Lanterns are a force to be reckoned with, “We’ll burn you all, that is your fate!”

 3. Hector Hammond-

Hammond is one of the creepier, underestimated bad guys on this list. This one is obsessed with Hal Jordan and envies him to a psychotic degree but hates him for being the man he can’t ever be.  He was exposed to a energy source that grossly mutated him, giving him both telekinetic and telepathic abilities as well as greatly enhancing his intellect. What makes him creepy is the lust he has for Carol Ferris and the the errie thoughts he has running through his giant head.

 4. The Black Hand-

William Hand has had a weird life. Sinestro and a cadet Hal Jordan saved him from a pre Red Lantern Atrocitus. His obsession with death lead him down a frankly disturbing path that lead him to kill his family and launch the prophecy of Blackest Night. His arm kills what ever he touches and one of his main weapons is a device that absorbs a lanterns light and fires it back. With his master, Nekron, The Black Hand is the small time villain that almost damned the universe and killed all the light..

   5. Sinestro and the Sinestro Corps-

What greater threat to the Green Lantern Corps would there be than one of there own? Arguably the second most powerful Green Lantern of all time, Thal Sinestro learned the power of fear trying to cease a civil war on his home world. He used fear to bring peace, which cost him his ring and had him exiled, where he found the means to forge the gold ring of fear and start his own Corps of the fiercest monsters and killers of the universe to spread fear.

6. Parallax-

Sinestro controls fear; The Sinestro Corps enforces control through fear. Parallax is fear. He inhabits the bodies of others, causing cataclysmic devastation. After possessing Hal Jordan, with the power of will and fear, he caused nearly destroyed the galaxy and brought the Green lanterns to near extinction. Of all the Green Lanterns have face, none have done more damage than Parallax, except for maybe..

7. The Guardians of the Universe-

Here is the controversial part, folks. The Guardians don’t have direct malcontent: they want to provide peace and order to the universe. But because of them there were the Manhunters who slaughtered millions and created Atrocitus, they hid things like Parallax, Larfleeze, Volthoom as well as neglected the prophecies of Brightest Day and Blackest Night and turned several of there own Lanterns into the Manhunter / Lantern hybrid Alpha Lanterns. In essence, these immortal blue bastards caused more harm than good.

Besides these 7, of course I have to give a shout out to Larfleeze, The Star Sapphires, Dr Polaris, Volthoom, Krona, and Nekron who are badasses but these stuck out more to me personally. May the gaming gods bring you glory.