A black man’s decision to dress as Batman despite the superhero’s historically white representation has led to a touching encounter with a young boy.

In a post to Facebook earlier this month, Georgia man Charles Conley described attending the fantasy and science-fiction convention Dragon Con in his Dark Knight cosplay outfit back in September.

He said he was walking around when he happened across a little “person of colour” who also happened to be in a Batman costume. The boy, while initially intimidated by Mr Conley, nevertheless approached, sharing a high-five.

“He told me he wanted to ask me something, so still kneeling I leaned in with my ear,” Mr Conley wrote.

“‘Batman,’ he said timidly, ‘you're brown, just like me! Does that mean that I can be a real superhero someday too? I don't see a lot of brown superheroes’.”

Mr Conley said he was so moved by this question he removed his Batman cowl to reveal his face, assuring the boy he “could be any superhero you want to be and don’t ever let anyone tell you different”.

“Being a brown superhero is a very special thing and I know you're going to make a great one,” Mr Conley said.

Wiping away his tears, Mr Conley then replaced his hood, trying to resume character. His kind words earned him a thank you from the boy’s mother, who told Mr Conley he had made the boy’s day.

Mr Conley said the exchange highlighted the need for better representation of people of colour in fiction, and that he believes this will be instrumental in breaking down barriers of prejudice.

His post has received thousands of reactions and shares.