[Lingster]

I was reading through New Avengers #22 when something struck me. In one panel, a middle-aged-looking SHIELD agent, light-skinned with a blond crew-cut, identifies himself to Luke Cage as Gabriel Jones.  Problem?  Gabriel Jones ain't supposed to be a white guy.  He's black.

It's kind of an odd error to make.  I blame The Man.

[Muscle Growth Nut]

You know, this may be the most minor screw-up Marvel's made lately.

[Lingster]

Yeah, but Gabriel Jones was one of the first Important Black Characters in comics.  He premiered in 1963 as the lone black soldier in Sgt. Fury's Howling Commandos.  This error is like having an Irishman play Jackie Robinson.  (Jackie Robinson having been not just the first black player in Major League Baseball, but also a prominent Army officer during World War II due to his court martial – acquitted of all charges – for refusing to move to the back of a bus in Texas.)

[Zespara Alathar]

Just being a stickler… but Jackie Robinson was the first black ballplayer in *modern* times.  The actual first player was in the American Association pre-1900 when the AA was considered a major league prior to the advent of the American League.

I lost on a Trivial Pursuit question on this very topic way back when.  :-

Z

[Lingster]

"…first black player in Major League Baseball…"

Major League Baseball is a specific thing.

[Author]

Posts