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.

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.