Black superheros - where are they?

While I was checking out some photos for my post on the Black Panther (new lead actor) I ran across a blog post at Bam! Kapow. And it got me wondering.

Black superheroes. It’s almost an oxymoron. I mean just look at all the media. In virtually every venue it’s obvious that African Americans are either villains, bad guy henchmen, drug dealers, or just don’t exist. Which is about 1000x better than how Hispanic/Latinos, Asians, Native American Indians, and any other person of color is presented.

But comic books are supposed to be different. It’s a world where literally anything is possible. That anyone can become far more than the limitations and expectations of society allow. Because in the world of comic books, at least, everyone can be super.

Except that really isn’t true. The abovementioned post was from 2008. It was made in dedication to the film Hancock, one of a handful of film featuring a Black hero lead. A superhero that is drunk over 50% of the film at that. And in this case, as I recall, the only film besides Blade to feature a Black superhero.

That post listed the top 15 greatest Black superheroes. But take a moment and tell me how many superheroes are non-White? I mean really think about it...

I decided to double check the Marvel and DC encyclopedias. Both are books that purport to cover all the major and minor recurring characters (and more than a few one shots) of these major comic book universes.

For DC, there are 886 White characters – which includes aliens that just happen to be White. There are 5.5% (55) that are Black, 2% (18) Hispanic, 1.5% (15) Asians, and .9% (9) Native Indians. I did not count any aliens that were blue/pink/covered in fur/or non-human in appearance. Of the aliens that are of some non-human coloration, 90% were drawn to exact White features.

Of these characters that are people of color, 85% came into existence in the past 25 years. The exception is for the Native Indian characters, which 50% are older – from discontinued comic books like Jonah Hex.

In total this covers DC comic books from the 1930’s until 2004.

For Marvel, in 2006, we get a similar breakdown. Out of 642 characters that have a discernable race (IE not green like Skrulls or blue like Kree) it works out that there are 543 White, 7% Black (46), 3% (19) Hispanci/Latino, 1.7% (11) Native Indians, and 3.6% (23) Asians. Part of the difference in the numbers goes to the fact that Marvel has far fewer alien characters than DC.

Again these characters of color begin to appear roughly 30 years ago, and prior to that time were virtually none existent. Part of that might also be a result of the fact that Marvel is not as old as DC Comics (roughly 5 years fifference). But like DC, the overwhelming majority of aliens are drawn to specifications that would match a White character.

I won’t even bother mentioning how many of these characters of color happen to be villains. Suffice to say that the further back in time you go, the more likely they are to be a villain. In addition to which Marvel seems to love Asian villains, thus having the higher numbers there.

So when I read about a list of the top 15 Black superheroes, well it seems a bit silly. There is only 101 to work from, of which some 80 of them only appeared within the last decade or so and have little fanbase. There are barely enough of them to not be on a top list in the first place. Extend the list to 20 and you are forced to include Sunspot (Brazillian and Black - and little known), M (very relatively new), and Bumblebee (DC, from the 60's, minor support character little seen or known) as examples.

But what does this say about America? What does this say about the way we not only view the world, but the worlds we dream of and fantasize about?

It tells me that we have taught our kids that people of color are lucky to be included. That only the very few might be lucky enough to reach for the stars. That to even be recognized is achievement, versus being recognized for achievement.

Yes some will think this all silly. But the fact is, when television, movies, and even comic books all say the same thing – something you have blasted into your brain every day of your life – plenty of people might eventually believe it. It's a brainwashing, and everyone in the nation is involved every day.

I am happy someone looked through Marvel and DC to create a Top 15 list. I’m exuberant that not only do Black superheroes now get a chance to shine on the big screen, but that they are wildly successful when they appear. And I am looking forward to see more characters, like War Machine or Luke Cage or Black Panther, take the forefront. (I can definitely live without another drunk Black hero)

But the one thing that cannot be escaped is that in a world that claims improving race relations, at a time when many of the youth of the nation believe that the playing field is flat, the media – especially the entertainment media – projects an image that can only be best described as 1950’s segregation overall.

That’s nothing to be excited about. It’s nothing to be proud of. And it will not change until the day we all pay attention and demand it to change.

WANTED - the movie review

So I went to see WANTED this weekend. I know that everyone was out to see Will Smith in Hancock, and that Wanted is a week old – but I wanted to see it. And regardless of how good Hancock may be I was not disappointed.

By now most have seen the very Matrix-esque scene of a guy jumping out of a window. Some might think that the film is trying to rip off the Matrix like Equilibrium did. Thankfully this is not true. But much like the Matrix this film starts off with a pill for viewer to swallow. In essence there are people with abilities that bend the laws of physics, and they are assassins.

From an opening scene that creates the footprints of a chess match you are caught as off guard as our protagonist Wesley Gibson, James McAvoy, (if the name is a play on Gibson of Mona Lisa Overdrive I don’t know). Gibson is a loser. There is no other way to put it. It’s reflected in his best friend, his “girlfriend”, and his all too normal and common job.

Add to this he has been led to believe that he has anxiety attacks. I for one thought almost immediately that he looked more like he was fighting the urge to choke the crap out of someone that desperately needed it. But for all his failures, he is not hopeless. He does get a glimpse of something coming, and if you pay attention to the little details in the background and in the words on signs and elsewhere you will see it too.

When that something does hit, it’s huge. And of course Angelina Jolie, as Fox, leads the way in this. It’s one of the better car chases I’ve seen in a long time. It’s a game of chess and determination. It’s an expression of absolute willingness to do what needs to be done. You’ll love it.

Literally this is a rush that’s a bit too much for our protagonist, and the movie take a momentary pause to deliver a cute laugh before we move on with quickness.

Once Wesley is back up, he is introduced to the truth. A version of the red pill so to speak. Provided by perhaps the single best image of gravitas our generation of actors has. Morgan Freeman.

Let me side step here. Some may want to see this movie for the action, and there is plenty. Some will definitely want to see Angelina Jolie (though she looks a tad thin in this film, but still sexy). Some might even come to see Lonnie Lynn Jr., otherwise known as rapper Common, which would be silly in this film – though it’s going to be the only reason to see Green Lantern – as he gets about as much time and lines as is deserved by most rappers-turned-movie stars. I did want to see 2 of the 3 points I just mentioned. But I love a film with a brain.

That’s where Morgan Freeman comes in. The former Easy Reader of Electric Company today is the one actor that can add credibility to almost any film no matter the premise. Want to talk about a guy getting the power of God, make God Morgan Freeman and it can work. Want to make a serious commentary about race and the human spirit overcoming idiocy – call Morgan Freeman. Want to get people feeling desperate and cheering the protagonist, well you know.

But how many times can you recall Mr. Freeman being a bad guy? And when I say bad I mean icy cool, completely in control, killing machine? In fact he is so badass that he only holds a gun 3 times in the film, but you never doubt his lethality. And if I had a favorite part in the film it would be the end when he curses, just once, and it makes you stand up and take notice.

Now I won’t give away details, but our little Wesley learns quickly that he has a shot at a life. He grabs at it, a keyboard signaling his fight for independence (it makes sense when you see the film). And he needs all the gusto he can find because once he gets in, his education has nothing to do with books and everything to do with pain.

But he does have an ace up his sleeve. The anxiety attacks I mentioned at the beginning. Plus he is not stupid. So as he learns, grows a pair, and figures out which piece on the chessboard he represents we get more than a few get special effects. By this point you’ve either accepted that some can do things that seem improbable, or you’ve gone to get your money back.

As the movie reaches its crescendo we are privy to secrets, truths, deceptions, double crosses, and revenge. Not bad for a film that’s quite short on dialogue. And a lot of thinking. This is not a Rambo style film. Everything has a reason and plan. Some of it is kind of obvious, like in the wax room. Some is more subtle like the tribute to Mark Millar who created the limited series comic book this is based on. (Yep another comic book film – bet you didn’t know).

Now I have to say that I am no fan of McAvoy. He was ok in the Children of Dune cable movie. Beyond that I have no real impression other than he is an actor I have noticed in other films. But he makes this character believable, and when he does get his gun on it works well – especially with the Repair Man.

Angelina Jolie is of course sexy and aggressive. She may be a bit type cast these days but it’s a good type to play. She plays her dedicated, badass, lethal character with just a touch of compassion and pride. This explains in part her near-end of movie reaction.

I will say this; I am upset with the ending. I see how they will make a sequel to this film. There is room for it without silly plot holes. But they definitely took the Tim Burton Batman movies approach. That is something I thought was unnecessary and disadvantageous. It really detracts from the possibilities.

This film is another in the select few these days that I would see again. I will buy it on DVD and look for a few more of the key signs and details that are all over the film if you take the time to notice them. I can also just watch it and enjoy it.

So if you want to take an hour and 48 minutes and slip into a place where your 9 – 5 becomes a little less tedious, this is a film for you.

Movie Review: Incredible Hulk

So is the Incredible Hulk worth seeing?

That was the question that faced me as I sought to do this review. I decided that I would try to see this movie under conditions that most match non-big city America.

I live in Binghamton, NY. To those that are from here, or around here, this is a big city; I think it’s a small town. And this is where I have live for the past 5 years (if you feel bad for me, you don’t feel bad enough) and where I decided to see the movie. Since I decided to see this movie on opening weekend I put no thought to what time I saw the movie at. There has never been a movie that I am aware of that has sold-out ever in this area.

Once I decided to see the movie I also went with taking a cab. Gas prices are high, and many are using cabs to travel in an attempt to save money. In fact several groups of people took a cab. This plan works best in groups because for me alone it cost $16 each way. The joy of being single and not driving I suppose.

So after I was ripped off by the cab company (the trip was not even close to being far enough to justify such a price – even with higher gas prices) I walked into the theater. The ticket cost me $9. So just showing up and getting in cost me $25, going home another $16. You can guess if I decided to buy popcorn, a soda, or anything else in the theater.

The trailers eventually started, after the god-awful commercials that I swear never to do business with since they were wasting my time advertising before the movie. The trailers were for Tropic Thunder, the next installment of the Mummy, Hancock, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The animated Clone Wars looked interesting, but missed the feel of most of the Star Wars movies. The entire crowd seemed to laugh a lot and enjoy Tropic Thunder- particularly the scenes with Robert Downey Jr. being a Black man. There was silence after the Hancock preview, and mere murmurs for The Mummy. Take that to mean what you will. [To add flavor I will tell you about Binghamton and the area. 3% Black, 1% Asian, 96% White. Average income $28,000. Average level of education – 11.75 grade. Favorite pastime- drinking. Number of children – average 2.75 by age 20.]

So the movie begins. Right off the back zero respect of concern is given to Ang Lee’s horrendous version of this movie. A new background, reminiscent of the television series, is created in flashback. Nothing is referred to the prior movie.

And then the movie moves. The pace is moderately fast. It covers a decent amount of ground quickly. After introducing Thunderbolt Ross, and Bruce Banner we slow slightly to see what Bruce (Ed Norton) is up to. By the time you are wondering what will be destroyed Bruce has his incident meter drop from 158 days to zero, and all his anger management training goes out the window.

The Hulk, who does speak 3 times, wastes little time in kicking ass. His size look and demeanor are all adult, violent and Hulkish. While no one obviously dies, you can imagine the years of traction that most will easily endure. When we finally get a full close-up view of the Hulk, his primal scream makes it clear that he is trouble on steroids and raging.

About this time is the first instance when you think that Emil Bronsky has a problem. He actually isn’t freaked out by the 15 foot tall, 1500 pound, green thing he just saw tossing forklifts around. He wants to take it on in another fight. That’s not normal, even in comic book land brains.

At this point I should mention that several scenes, though minor, found in the previews and trailers never occur in the movie. I have no doubt that the DVD will hold these scenes and clarify what happened and why they were cut. But the plot is not hurt by their omission.

At this point the plot also introduces several ideas that are the introduction or reinforcement of several Marvel characters and organizations. Requisitions for weapons introduce Stark Industries (see my Iron Man review), S.H.E.I.L.D., Nick Fury, the Super Soldier program (i.e. Captain America), and the Avengers. Smart move for a company planning multiple other movies all based in the same world. More on this soon.

With a decent amount of plot development and a bit of intrigue we progress to the next instance of the Hulk. Again we see why he is incredible, and what a bit of chemistry is capable of. It’s a good example of what the Hulk is capable of, where another movie can go, and what Ang Lee never understood.

Now I will jump towards the end of the movie. The Abomination is created; the Hulk goes after him and ultimately kicks his ass. Like you didn’t expect that. Though there is not the obvious increase in power for the Hulk. Unlike Ang Lee’s version this Hulk does not grow taller nor expand in size. But he does get far more ferocious and his power has more of an effect.

In the final scenes we get to see that the saga for Bruce Banner has not ended, though he seems to reach a new level with his inner monster. In addition we are prepared for a stage where multiple Marvel heroes will be all onscreen simultaneously. Expect to see a familiar face form this summer in a role that is now well known.

So do the visuals live up to expectations? Yes. The behemoth is green and rage is the emotion du jour. Coupled with a few primal screams that just tap you into his unending and unyielding anger and you feel his power. Lightning strikes beware this boy is bad.

Does the movie pay homage to it’s past? Yep. To Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, the television series and its comic book base. This movie actually remembers why it was made and who its fans are.

The ultimate question though is whether it is worth the $32 dollars I spent in transportation and $9 for the ticket. In terms of the ticket, yes. The movie is definitely worthy of seeing on the big screen. As for the transportation, don’t take a taxi. If you have a wife and kids I can understand the potential cost savings. But if you are single like me take a car. If you don’t drive (which I don’t) go with a date, or friends. Anything but go alone as the cost is beyond prohibitive, even if you make a decent living.

If you have to choose between Iron Man and the Hulk as just one movie to see this summer, see Iron Man. But if you can see more than one, the Incredible Hulk is the next best choice.