Icon is Milestone Comics' answer to Superman. The Big Blue Boyscout isn't the only alien trying to protect Earth. Like Superman, the highly underrated Icon is an extraterrestrial whose craft crash-landed on Earth. The big difference between the two is form. Icon does not resemble a humanoid in his natural form. When he landed, his pod changed his appearance to reflect the physical form of the natives that discovered him. He happened to be discovered by Miriam, a Black woman in the American South during the 1840s. The alien was given the name Augustus Freeman.
Augustus discovered he had abilities that the humans of Earth did not. He remained a civilian, only using his powers to benefit others on occasion. Augustus lived on in anonymity for centuries. He found that his body barely aged despite being centuries old. In the 21st century, Augustus's home is broken into. One of the home invaders, Raquel Ervin, befriends Augustus after witnessing his abilities. Raquel convinces Augustus to use his abilities to fight crime in Dakota City as the hero Icon with her at his side as Rocket, his sidekick.
Created by acclaimed writer Dwayne McDuffie and artist M.D. Bright, Icon's demeanor and alien origin share traits with the ever trustworthy Martian Manhunter. His powers, however, make him clearly a riff on Superman. Icon can fly and has superhuman speed and strength. He is also able to release energy bolts from his body. Like Clark, he is insanely durable and resistant to attacks. His senses are also heightened. Icon's abilities range beyond the physical. His alien intellect is far beyond that of any human. His long list of abilities easily makes him one of the most formidable heroes in both DC and Milestone Comics.
Though characters like Static Shock were more popular for Milestone Comics, Icon is clearly the superior hero in terms of power and leadership traits. In fact, in the recent Milestone reboot, Icon is surveilling Static and countless others to look out for them. He is the most knowledgeable and experienced hero in the Milestone universe. Perhaps Static is more well-known because readers resonated more with his age, style, and original powers.
Milestone Returns Zero suggests that Icon will be emphasized as the clear leader and the main focus of their upcoming arc. The issue foreshadows a war involving the superhumans of the Dakotaverse. Milestone's reboot has just started, and it has already captivated readers with the reappearance of fan-favorite characters and the emergence of interesting new ones. Icon, Milestone's Black Superman will lead the Dakotaverse's heroes against the forces of evil.