Question for DC fans regarding Cyborg

[Underseer]

It's my understanding that Cyborg was created in the 1980s. How, when, and why did he become the pre-eminent African-American hero in the DC universe? Why not, say, Mister Terrific or John Stewart (Green Lantern) or something?

I'm kind of clueless about DC stuff.

 

[Jayjay]

He's the token black guy in the Justice League. No other reason.

 

[Underseer]

He's the token black guy in the Justice League. No other reason.

Then why not one of the other African-American characters?

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I'm just trying to understand the DC universe and DC fans a little better.

 

[KeepTalking]

Cyborg is the tech guy on the team. Mr Terrific probably could have filled that role as well, so I'm not sure exactly why they picked Cyborg. Neither one is a very high profile hero in the DC universe.

 

[Underseer]

Cyborg is the tech guy on the team. Mr Terrific probably could have filled that role as well, so I'm not sure exactly why they picked Cyborg. Neither one is a very high profile hero in the DC universe.

I'm assuming that Cyborg is more popular than Mr Terrific with DC fans. Is because he doubts his own humanity and thus is more sympathetic?

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And didn't they have any popular black heroes before the 1980s?

 

[Jayjay]

He's the token black guy in the Justice League. No other reason.

Then why not one of the other African-American characters?

John Stewart is got sidelined because the original (silver age anyway) Hal Jordan reclaimed the Green Lantern title.

Mr. Terrific had somewhat similar problem, but he was the successor to a way less known golden age character which is why he is still around. But he's too much of a Batman-type with his gadgets and I imagine not as good a fit into the team as Cyborg.

Also, Cyborg got name recognition as member of Teen Titans. Nobody knows who the fuck Mr. Terrific is.

 

[Underseer]

Then why not one of the other African-American characters?

John Stewart is got sidelined because the original (silver age anyway) Hal Jordan reclaimed the Green Lantern title.

Mr. Terrific had somewhat similar problem, but he was the successor to a way less known golden age character which is why he is still around. But he's too much of a Batman-type with his gadgets and I imagine not as good a fit into the team as Cyborg.

Also, Cyborg got name recognition as member of Teen Titans. Nobody knows who the fuck Mr. Terrific is.

Weird. By the time Cyborg showed up, Marvel already had quite a few African-American heroes, including the most popular one (Storm).