The case for telling the legend of the Blue Marvel

By Amir Muhammad | March 19, 2023

Even with classic superheroes like Black Lightning, Luke Cage, Falcon, Miles Morales and Black Panther, it is essential that we continue to have more representation of Black superheroes on the big screen. There are so many other black superheroes who haven’t seen the light of day and it would be awesome if they had their time in the limelight. 

Most kids don’t read comics. TV, movies and video games might be their only means of learning about undiscovered Black superheroes. One such hero is Adam Brashear, better known as Blue Marvel. Blue Marvel first appeared in a comic published in November of 2008 titled “Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel #1” by Kevin Grevioux. Blue Marvel is a Black superhero from 1962. He faces racism, but America has to face the fact that the most powerful superhero we have is a Black man. In the comics, he was a representation of Black excellence. He graduated from college, got his Ph.D., and was still the most powerful superhero.

His story depicts how Black people were represented in the 1960s and during the Civil Rights Movement. In the stories, the government is afraid (not of impending war), but of Adam’s power in the Black community. 

The great thing about Blue Marvel is that he never chooses a side. People throw racial slurs at him even when he is trying to do good. The Black community hates him because he doesn’t specifically help them. Through all of this, he never wavers in his stance that the important thing is saving people - all people

The world is scared of his power because with it he could use it to take over. President John F. Kennedy says this to him in the comic and he responds that he doesn’t want to destroy White America or side with Black America. The thing is - Adam is not a hero to just America, he is a hero to the world. His goal is to protect and improve the world that he lives in. Kennedy makes a valid point when talking to Adam, which is that people will believe what they want to believe at the end of the day. Black people believe that he is the Black Messiah and that he will help them take over White America and White people also believe that he will do that, which in turn causes fear and hatred toward Blue Marvel.

President Kennedy has to decide whether or not to keep Adam in his good graces and tell the public that he is the hero they need or to find a way to send him away. Kennedy chooses the latter and offers Adam the Medal of Freedom. He then asks him to step away from his role as Blue Marvel. Adam respectfully declines and leaves. Blue Marvel, as a story, tackles adversity, racism, and what having too much power can do to a Black man.

Everyone was afraid of Blue Marvel, but this fact didn’t steer him away from being a superhero. He didn’t care what challenges came his way. Adam Brashear’s only priority was putting people's lives first. 

This is a comic book character that needs to be on the big screen so that people can see the importance of his story and why it needs to be shared. It is time for a new Black hero that can connect with millions of people and inspire future generations and Blue Marvel should be that hero.