Top 20 Black Superheroes

No. 9: Spectrum (Monica Rambeau) – Marvel Comics

Monica Rambeau was a former member of New Orleans harbor patrol; she was exposed to extra-dimensional energy and gained the ability to change into light. Monica was first introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 (1982). During Monica’s first appearance she was dubbed Captain Marvel. However this would be the first of many name changes. Captain Marvel joined the Avengers in volume one issue #227; she would go on the serve as leader of the Avengers. Monica left the Avengers after losing her powers in Avengers #294 (1988); she would rejoin the superhero community after gaining slightly altered powers in a 1989 one-shot (Captain Marvel #1).

During the 90s Monica changed her name to Photon and later Pulsar to accommodate the son of her namesake. Monica made a bit of a comeback in the Marvel Universe after co-starring in the unconventional team book Nextwave (2006). The character participated in Marvel line wide event titles during the 2000s such as Civil War and its aftermath Avengers: The Initiative. Monica settled on a new moniker, Spectrum, in Mighty Avengers #1 (2013). Spectrum appeared in Ultimates2 until the series ended in 2017.

First Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 (1982)

Powers: Can convert to any type of energy along the electromagnetic spectrum. She can fly at super speed, become intangible, absorb and project energy.