Top 20 Black Superheroes

No. 5: Vixen (Mari Jiwe McCabe) – DC Comics

The fashion model turned superheroine first appeared in Action Comics #521 (1981). By 1985 Vixen had accepted an invitation to join Aquaman’s Justice League of America team operating out of Detroit. Once that team was disbanded she joined the Suicide Squad and began a dalliance with Bronze Tiger. After leaving the Suicide Squad, the character was bounced around the DC Universe for a number of years. Vixen became a part of another iteration of the Justice League in Justice League of America #1 (2006). This was a result of Vixen’s increased popularity due to her appearances on the cartoon series Justice League Unlimited. She also received a solo mini-series entitled Vixen: Return of The Lion in 2008.

Vixen powers come from a totem that enables her to draw upon the abilities of Earth’s animals. The character has appeared in other cartoons besides the aforementioned Justice League Unlimited. Mari appeared on an episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold and currently stars in an animated web series on CW Seed. Mari’s version of Vixen appeared also appeared in season four of Arrow. Another version of Vixen (Amaya Jiwe) joined DC’s Legends of Tomorrow at the start of its second season. In comics, Mari joined the cast of Justice League of America #1 in February 2017.

First Appearance: Action Comics #521 (1981)

Powers: A totem that Vixen wears enables her to draw upon the abilities of Earth’s animals.