Super Black

American Pop Culture and Black Superheroes

By: Adilifu Nama

Narrated by: Cary Hite

Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner, American Book Award, Before Columbus Foundation, 2012

Super Black places the appearance of black superheroes alongside broad and sweeping cultural trends in American politics and pop culture, which reveals how black superheroes are not disposable pop products, but rather a fascinating racial phenomenon through which futuristic expressions and fantastic visions of black racial identity and symbolic political meaning are presented. Adilifu Nama sees the value - and finds new avenues for exploring racial identity - in black superheroes who are often dismissed as sidekicks, imitators of established white heroes, or are accused of having no role outside of blaxploitation film contexts.

Nama examines seminal black comic book superheroes such as Black Panther, Black Lightning, Storm, Luke Cage, Blade, the Falcon, Nubia, and others, some of whom also appear on the small and large screens, as well as how the imaginary black superhero has come to life in the image of President Barack Obama. Super Black explores how black superheroes are a powerful source of racial meaning, narrative, and imagination in American society that express a myriad of racial assumptions, political perspectives, and fantastic (re)imaginings of black identity. The book also demonstrates how these figures overtly represent or implicitly signify social discourse and accepted wisdom concerning notions of racial reciprocity, equality, forgiveness, and ultimately, racial justice.

©2011 University of Texas Press (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Enlightening

Nana captures the black experience in the story and every comic fan of color will be able to see his thoughts clearly. He also doesn't leave out those who are not black, he lays the foundation for understanding the choices made with various characters throughout the years.
I enjoyed the listen and would encourage and recommend this title to everyone.

Super Listening

Really enjoyed this look at the history of Black superheroes and the parallels, overlaps, and divergences with Black history in America. The many-angled examination of DC's Superman vs. Muhammed Ali storyline, is itself worth the price of admission. Cary Hite narrates with clarity, variety— and verve!

Accessible look at comics in culture

Super Black is an interesting look into how Black superheroes have engaged in or even shaped the narrative of race in American culture. Even for someone without a deep knowledge of comics lore or history, this book is an engaging review of the most prominent Black superheroes and their depictions over the decades. There are a few comics I'll be checking out as a result of this.

Super great!

I have collected comics since the '70s and loved every one of the heroes that the author talks about in the book, it was refreshing to hear his take on these heroes because oftentimes they mirrored my thoughts as well. Many times a new insight into the significance of the character would pop up and give me an 'aha' moment.

As for the narrator, Mr. Hite does an excellent job presenting the book that kept me interested through the whole thing. Truly an award-winning performance.

If you like comics and superheroes and American pop culture you will enjoy this book!

Amazing!!

I was intrigued for the entire length of the book! Phenomenal research and voice over is exceptional!!