Afro Supa Hero

13 May to 11 December 2016

An exhibition celebrating the importance of role models and icons

Afro Supa® Hero provides a snapshot of Jon Daniel’s personal journey of self discovery, through his collection of pop cultural heroes and heroines of the African diaspora.

Jon grew up in South West London in the 1960s and 1970s. Looking back at his childhood he sees himself as a typical British-born, first generation child of West Indian parents – a young boy trying to find his place within a culture he couldn’t always relate to. In his late 20s he began collecting comics, games, action figures and memorabilia featuring positive Black role models of history and fiction, feeling that they most strongly embodied the era of his childhood and his search for identity.

Who is your hero? Is she strong? Is he kind? Are they brave? A hero can do and be many amazing things, even without super powers. This exhibition highlights the importance of Black heroes and role models within society and their ability to have a positive impact on the lives and aspirations of us all.

Exhibition highlights

Real life superheroes from National Museums Liverpool on Vimeo.

Select each image to see a larger version.

Malcolm X action figure. Courtesy of Jon Daniel. © Olmec Toys Inc 1994 Lieutenant Uhura figure, Star Trek. Courtesy of Jon Daniel. © Mego Toy Corporation and Paramount Pictures 1974. Dave Lister action figure. Courtesy of Jon Daniel. © Corgi 2007.

These are just a few highlights from the exhibition, which also includes –

  • Real Afro Supa Heroes – with action figures of Muhammad Ali, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr and Nelson Mandela.
  • Inspirational Afro Supa Heroes – featuring Mr T, a Harlem Globetrotters board game from 1971, and a signed 7 inch Parliament single, ‘Aqua Boogie’.
  • British Afro Supa Heroes – a look at Blake’s 7, Red Dwarf, Panini football stickers of 1979 and a very special edition of The Hornet spotlighting Michael Jackson.
  • Invincible Afro Supa Heroes – exploring Marvel and DC fictional superheroes including both rare comics and action figures of Meteor Man, The Falcon, Black Lightning and Luke Cage.

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