Originally Posted by
SecretWarrior
Not trying to derail this, but as long as Batman is DC's premier, heroic mind, Cyborg can't be treated as a-list. From a story-mechanic standpoint, he'll be regulated to doing Batman's search engine queries because Batman is the more profitable character and can only justify being on the team by having the "a-ha" moments. Cyborg will also be punked continuously because you can show his limbs being torn-up with little consequence; so while other heroes are taking hits, Cyborg will be torn to pieces like a paper tiger. We're not even getting to how DC is trying to make their most prominent character of color a disfigured, neutered figure who doesn't like himself or his situation, and who doesn't act as much of a wish-fulfillment vessel on any level. For DC to fix the character, they'd have to deviate too far from how the public at large recognizes him.
The only way a minority character can ever be a-list is if writers and editors treat them like the other premier heroes/properties--Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern. That includes: a consistent push to publish a solo title; a MEANINGFUL spot on the premier superteam to advertise and normalize the character (as in not there to just do google searches and bus the team around or get torn to pieces at every turn); prominent roles in crossovers; and wish fulfillment, escapist fantasy for readers. DC isn't currently doing that with any minority character, so they don't currently have a viable minority a-lister. John is the closest they have, and they seem to be making some effort in recent months with the character due to Snyder. I'd like to see that progress continue. When I was growing up and watching the cartoon, John WAS a-list to most people because the creators of the animated series made an effort to have people see him that way. They developed him, spotlighted him, and made him respectable. If you were to make him a white character but keep all of the other elements about him, a white viewer or reader would still want to be like him--and that's the test all minority characters should pass if they're going to be more than b-list. Successful movie stars, musicians, athletes, personalities, etc. are popular because all kinds of people want to be like them. Why would it be different for comic book characters?