Superheroes have stood astride the American pop-culture landscape for eight decades, but racial diversity has largely been left in the margins. So while we have had black superheroes for much of that time now, in the movie adaptations their roles have often been secondary. That’s why 2016 feels like a watershed year.

Earlier this month, “Captain America: Civil War” became the first mainstream movie to co-star three black superheroes: War Machine (played by Don Cheadle), the Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). Now, “X-Men: Apocalypse” spotlights Storm (Alexandra Shipp); and in August, DC Comics’ “Suicide Squad” will be led by Viola Davis and Will Smith.

The quintessentially American art form that is superhero comics is embracing fictive worlds that look like America itself. And in 2016, black capes matter.

Here is a primer of 16 notable black characters from comic book history who have received, or likely should soon receive, live-action iterations.