Hello, comic book Dopers.
Remember a few years ago, during one of DC’s innumerable “fifth week” comics events, when they came up with all these one-shot JLA permutations like the Justice League of Arkham and the Justice League of Air? Always thought they missed the boat, either by timidity or excessive PC-ness, when they failed to do an ethnically-themed “Justice League African-American.” Hell, they did Justice League of Aliens! They could have done with one more terrestrial group of similarly themed ethnic heroes! But nooooooo… I mean, what was stopping them, the extra “A”? Feh.
JUSTICE LEAGUE of AFRICA-AMERICANS
J’onn J’onnz. - LEADER/TACTICIAN
I can hear you protesting now. “He’s a Martian!” Well, heck, he’s not a White Martian, now is he? Let’s look at the other facts. He was stolen from his beloved homeland against his will. He was brought to America, persecuted, fighting for his survival on arrival. Folks – he’s quintessentially a brother. He’s a Buffalo Soldier! Whatever, man. My list, my pick. “Green” is the new “biracial.” Besides, he’s voiced by Carl Lumbly on the cartoon, and that’s good enough for me.
Black Adam. - OFFENSIVE POWERHOUSE
First, the afrocentrist in me won’t dignify the likely objection that the ancient Egyptians weren’t black. Secondly, those who want to object to his inclusion that he’s not “African-American” will be soundly ignored. Thirdly, if those of you reading the current incarnation of old Teth Adam in the recent INFINIT CRISIS just might be thinking he’s a bit too… uh, extreme and villainous these days. Hey. Kewl by me. It pays to have at least one seriously ruthless unmerciful bastard on the team and that’ll be Black Adam’s job.
Steel. - WEAPONSMITH. I’d keep John Henry Irons out of the ‘S’ shield and weapons suit altogether – except maaaaaybe as a sleeker, superengineering tool suit – and concentrate on his weaponsmaking and paraphernalia-accessorizing skills. I’d go all Grant Morrison in my concepts for him, far as my head could take it, thinking up weapons systems upgrades he’d make for the team and his contributions that way.
Black Lightning. - OLD SCHOOL HERO.
DC’s granddaddy of all old-school black heroes gets his spot on my team on legacy alone. Black Lightning’s cool. If Samuel L. Jackson didn’t have the Nick Fury role as the Ultimate’s Commander all sewn up, this is how I’d write him. He’ll be part of the team’s triumverate of experienced heroes – along with John Stewart’s GREEN LANTERN and J’ONN – the one who won’t back down from Batman’s stony stare and even use a few of his tricks to excellent effect. I’d noticeably age the character… while the rest of the DCU can be forever young, Black Lightning is a product of the Soul 70s and I’d like his crimefighting experience to reflect that thirty year career.
Bronze Tiger and Vixen. DEFENSIVE HAND TO HAND ASSAULT / WARFARE. Frankly, this pair will be the new Hawkman and Hawkwoman of my group: lovers, fighters, peacemakers, slight outsiders who owe alligiance more to each other than any cause. I like the combination of martial arts and animal superpowers. Vixen – along with Black Adam – represents the only other non American black voice on the team.
Alley-Kat-Abra. TACTICAL SORCERY.
No, you didn’t misread that. Yes, I am serious. I want an anthropomorphic talking funny animal on my team, dammit, just to be different, so I’m picking the coolest cat in the Zoo Crew. 'Cuz there’s just no way Felina Furr wasn’t black, yo. She was in Mew Orleans f’chrissake! Alley-Kat-Abra was black the way the original Post Sugar Crisp Sugar Bear mascot was black and Panthro from Thundercats was black. Anyway, I wanted a magic user and it was either her or Dr. Mist. My choice. Heck, I always pick pussy.
Green Arrow II. OFFENSIVE ASSAULT/ HAND TO HAND COMBATANT. Conner Hawke, son of Oliver Queen. I said green is the new biracial. Besides… you can’t have a “Green Arrow” on a JLA team without this other guy…
Green Lantern, John Stewart – The triumverate is complete. John’s experience speaks for itself and we need some cosmic power on the team besides J’onn.
First villains I’d have them fight would be Solomon Grundy just to get the big bad Southern white guy thing out way, before an African adventure in Gorilla City fighting Grodd and maybe a team-up with the black Bwana Beast fighting the racist Black Manta.
I’d be more likely to argue about the appropriateness of Black Adam. (And let’s not, shall we? I’m perfectly comfortable agreeing to disagree)