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There is a lot of talk going on about the upcoming Black Panther movie, which to all indicators is going to be a huge hit. But aside from the obviously racist nay-sayers (and seriously, fuck those guys) there is this weird “mansplany” / “not ALL men” undercurrent going on that focuses a very basic fact:
Black Panther is the first black superhero in a major motion picture.
Now, to curtail any future confusion, let’s look at the sentence this way:
Black Panther is the first black superHERO in a major motion picture.
Yes, we have had other black leading men and more than a few super-powered men of color in leading movies. But what we are all excited about, what all the hype is about, is that there is finally a black “Superman”: someone who is a fully fledged AAA hero who can stand alongside the big boys (and, dare I say it, even LEAD the Avengers as the MCU moves into its next phase).
The Usual Suspects
These guys are always brought up whenever someone says Black Panther is ‘groundbreaking’, or ‘the first of its kind’, or an ‘important milestone’.
Blade – vampire anti-hero. Very badass, and jump-started the idea of a viable big budget comic book movie for many folks. But still, a gore-drenched day-walker dealing with the underworld.
Spawn – another anti-hero and a straight-up murderer. Plus, with his constant mask and Hell scarred face, I bet not many people even know he’s black.
Hitchcock – drunk asshole. Yes, he eventually redeems himself in act 3, but he’s hardly the superhero you want your kid dressing up for Halloween.
Luke Cage – I’d argue this is the closest comparison, but he’s still regulated to TV. While I feel a feature-length Luke Cage movie could do well, perhaps the powers that be feel he isn’t flashy enough to anchor a major franchise.
Steel – Shaq? Are you kidding me?
Meteor Man – Please, just stop.
Django – Independence Day – Book of Eli – etc. – NOT superhero movies. We aren’t saying Black Panther is the first movie to star a black man.
So why is Black Panther a big deal?
People are excited to have a hero on par with Superman, Captain America, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man and other first-string heroes. If you want a moral compass, you’ve had Superman and Captain America to look up to. If you dig on rich guys with killer tech, you have Iron-Man and Batman. And with Black Panther, we have ALL of those things. An insanely wealthy and powerful leader who is super smart, has amazing tech, and is (in the words of Dr. Erskine from Captain America) “A good man.”
What Does Black Panther Mean To Me
“What do you care? You’re just some pudgy, white nerd.” Yeah, I’ve heard that once or twice when posting about my excitement. But I don’t think I’ve been as excited for a Marvel movie since Captain America: The First Avenger.
I’ve always loved the “everyman” or “enhanced” heroes. People at peak physical condition, or with a little boost (super soldier serum, heart-shaped herb, etc.) Captain America is my all time, absolute favorite superhero. His friendship and adventures with Falcon (another everyman … who flies) were favorites of mine. Black Panther comics were part of my comic book collection since the 70s. Aside from his own title, it was always awesome to see him alongside the Fantastic Four, or the Avengers. With more modern tales by writers like Priest, Hudlin, and Coates he’s been given a really rich backstory and more character depth.
I especially enjoyed a 2010 two-volume set called Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers. Written by Reginald Hudlin, with art by Cowan and Janson, the story covers a time when Captain America fought side by side with a previous Black Panther (Azzuri, T’Challa’s grandfather) against Nazi aggression against Wakanda during WW2.
Why am I excited for a Black Panther movie?’ I’m excited that more people will be exposed to the absolute ass-kicking awesomeness that is Black Panther. Just how I was excited to see so many people, from longtime fans to complete neophytes, embrace my childhood hero once they saw Captain America on the big screen.
In these turbulent times, I think we all need more real heroes we can look up to and Black Panther is a true hero of the highest order: and that’s pretty important.
Comments (5)
Jay
15 Feb 2018Race aside, this is just an excellent movie.
But in fact, some of cultural aspects are what make this movie so great. It stands out from the usual Marvel fare. Yes, the heroes are awesome (and so is the villain, in my opinion), but what’s really great is to see them existing within their world, which still has ties to outside Africa. And director Coogler keeps us in touch with reality by touching base in Oakland. The costumes are bright and vibrant. The casting is excellent. I really liked the strong female warriors. Wakanda is fertile ground – there’s lots more to explore here and personally, I’d rather spend more time with Black Panther than with any of the Avengers.
Barry T. Smith
20 Feb 2018Got to see it this weekend and couldn’t agree more. I also enjoyed how there wasn’t the “city under siege” 3rd act that is the hallmark of so many recent blockbusters. I felt more emotion for those Wakandians falling at the hands of their brothers than I ever did for a random skyscraper falling down.
Such a great movie and a new cornerstone of the MCU. This makes me feel very optimistic about the next phase. =)
Some Guy
12 Mar 2019“But aside from the obviously racist nay-sayers (and seriously, fuck those guys) there is this weird “mansplany” / “not ALL men” undercurrent going on”
Um, serious, fuck you and your fucking hypocrisy. Just had to get that out of the way.
“Black Panther is the first black superhero in a major motion picture.”
This is not true. I wish I could make the text as large as you did, so that you can hear how loudly this needs to be shouted at you until it penetrates your skull.
“Yes, we have had other black leading men and more than a few super-powered men of color in leading movies. But what we are all excited about, what all the hype is about, is that there is finally a black “Superman”: someone who is a fully fledged AAA hero who can stand alongside the big boys (and, dare I say it, even LEAD the Avengers as the MCU moves into its next phase).”
Have you really, truly convinced yourself of this? Do you truly think that Black Panther is on a level with Thor, Hulk or Iron Man? That’s cute, what’s outright hilarious is that you think he’s on par with Superman.
Here’s a wake up call: Black Panther is a muscled guy in a cool suit, who drank some purple drank to become powerful. Superman would flick him across Wakanda with one finger. As as for morality, well, I mean, Superman has to deal with the fact that he’s a literal alien who was sent to Earth to be their savior. No pressure or anything. T’Challa, by contrast, is a pampered king who was a pampered prince, who rules an ethno-state, and whose powers are derived from hoarding a precious material which could benefit all mankind for their own private use.
But hey, tell yourself he’s the new front-runner. 😉 They’re saving that for Captain Marvel, and always were.
“These guys are always brought up whenever someone says Black Panther is ‘groundbreaking’, or ‘the first of its kind’, or an ‘important milestone’.”
That’s because they are proof that the milestone was already reached a long time ago, and you can stop wittering on about it.
“I’ve always loved the “everyman” or “enhanced” heroes. People at peak physical condition, or with a little boost (super soldier serum, heart-shaped herb, etc.)”
I’m not sure you know what the word ‘everyman’ means, but your preference is entirely your own. I actually feel the same way, mostly, so there’s certainly nothing unique about your perspective which leads you to think that Black Panther is an amazing movie, instead of simply a decent Marvel entry. Honestly it’s not even in my Top 5, although it was cool to see African culture reduced to spears, some shoulder wiggles, and war rhinos, nonetheless. 😉
Seriously though. War rhinos. For the ‘most technologically advanced nation on Earth’.
“Why am I excited for a Black Panther movie?’ I’m excited that more people will be exposed to the absolute ass-kicking awesomeness that is Black Panther. Just how I was excited to see so many people, from longtime fans to complete neophytes, embrace my childhood hero once they saw Captain America on the big screen.”
But what does that have to do with the point of the article, let alone excuse your ugly little attacks upon people who don’t agree with you? You end on this note as though this is some kind of conclusion to the issue you were discussing, but all you’re doing is explaining why you, personally, like Black Panther and want more people to find out about him.
Whoop-de-doo. Welcome to how I feel about ’90s Transformers and Thundercats, not to mention the animated X-Men. All these things were diverse, and did all of what you’re claiming is groundbreaking probably before you were born.
But that is not a justification for the media hype. The claims being made about this movie were false, and were used for publicity and nothing more. That’s all.
You bought it because you wanted to. Because of how you feel about “those guys”, whomever they might be. Because in those moments, when you do, or say, or think such things, you become, just for that moment, the villain. You forget what being a good man is. You forget what T’Challa taught you.
Instead you just use it as a chance to bitch about people you don’t like, and whose arguments you don’t even understand, because it will make you look good.
What a hero.
Some Guy
12 Mar 2019Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to have the balls to actually publish my comment, nor this one. Just wanted you to know how wrong you are, though. Thanks for advertising yourself on social media.
Barry T. Smith
25 Mar 2019I’ve never been one to shy away from an opposing viewpoint, and as for having the “balls” to do something, I always make sure my name is front and center when I state an opinion … some guy.
In any case, you really seem to have a chip on your shoulder. Otherwise, I can’t imagine why you’d have a problem with me saying “fuck racists”. When the movie came out the comic community had more than its fair share of “Super N***er” and “Watermelon powers” bullshit going on in forums and places (btw, I’ll let the “purple drank” comment slide, but dude … seriously?). Luckily they were typically shouted down but the fact it was there was disheartening. But as I said, this article wasn’t about them, it was that people were dismissing Black Panther just some other black superhero and my point was that he was a real HERO. Not a vampire, not a hell demon or anti-hero, but a tried and true hero in the same vein as Superman.
And to your point, I never said BP could beat Superman in a fight. That’s not what this is about. It was that there was a black hero kids could look up to LIKE Superman. A heroic ideal who looked like they did.
As for your view that T’challa was a pampered prince/king who hoarded resources … did you watch the movie? That was sort of the whole idea. He was put into power and was introduced to this idea that Wakanda could be helping humanity, instead of hiding from it. And by the end of the movie they were doing just that. Expanding thier reach and helping other people around the world.
Then you pretty much just go on about how this is all my own personal opinion (uh….duh. It’s my blog) and try to make me feel bad like I’m a villian for telling racists to fuck off. Again (because your reading comprehension seems so low) this article wasn’t for the racists.
But hey “some guy”, thanks for stopping by and putting your opinion out there.