Dreadlocks

I've run into images of this character more than once but hadn't heard anything about him so I decided to do some digging. It turns out Dreadlocks, created back in 1992, is a character from Urban Style Comics  and is based on a very positive premise. The character's creator, Andre Batts, has this to say about him, "I've created Dreadlocks as a blind superhuman in order to establish that true righteousness is established from within. Dreadlocks follows an ancient order of Egypt known as Ma'at which means truth, order and righteousness." You can catch a glimpse of Dreadlocks' story in a short online digital comic here.I haven't gotten my hands on an actual copy of the comics or graphic novel yet but as soon as I do, I'll be right back here to talk about it.

The video below presents Dreadlocks' creator explaining his views and what he has trying to accomplish with the character. A more in-depth video explanation of the character can be found on the Urban Style Comics web site.

Is Black Adam a Black Super Hero?

If you don't already know Black Adam you should know he is from the Captain Marvel (SHAZAM!) mythos. His power comes from a magic word that, when uttered, endows him with the power of the gods. He is not dark-skinned but he is Egyptian as are the gods from whom he derives his powers. He's a bad man with an even worse attitude. READ MORE...

Teth-Adam, the son of  Pharoah Ramesses II, was a hero, of ancient Egypt. He became a super hero when his good deeds impressed the high priest wizard Shazam who granted him the power to become Mighty Adam when he spoke the magic word "SHAZAM". He became a being whose power rivaled that of the modern day Superman. For centuries he was Egypt's champion until he was corrupted by a woman who convinced him he should rule. Adam kills the then-current Pharaoh and assumes the office. The wizard Shazam sees this as a betrayal, strips Adam of his powers and entombs him. Because of his perceived treatery, Adam is from that point known as Black Adam.

Black Adam, the character, was originally created to be a nemesis for Faucett Comics' Captain Marvel. These characters are now owned by Warner Brothers and appear in DC Comics. Black Adam, while momentarily taking the roles of hero, ruler, and savior is a bad guy. He is willing to kill just to make a point and has done so on many occasions. The character he seems most like in Marvel Comics would be Namor, the Sub-Mariner whom he resembles both physically and tempermentally. Black Adam is not subtle and does things in a big way. Over the last few years of his appearances in comics, no matter his good intentions, everything big thing he does turns to crap. I don't think he'll ever be redeemed. It's tragic really. All that said, he is quite likeable in a Dr. Doom sort of way. In the upcoming Shazam movie, his character is rumored to be played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

The question is: Is this character Black? He was born in Egypt centures ago so he is clearly of African desent meaning he is from that continent. He might be slightly darker than the usual Causasian but that can depend on who does the coloring. He has never connected with any African-American or even African group or people except for the people of Kahndaq which is a fictional middle eastern country in the DC Universe and of course Egypt which is where he was born. He certainly can't be considered Black just because he has the word in his name. Is Egyptian or middle eastern origin enough for us to consider that this character is Black?
Lastly does it even matter. Should I just claim him? This is the Black Superhero Blog after all. What do you think?

More Fillmore Please

Fillmore! was a Disney animated series that centered around African-American Middle School student Cornelius Filmore. The lead character was a reformed juvenile delinquent that was recruited into the school safety patrol and subsequently became it's lead detective. This particular school safety patrol was considerably more active than any real middle school counterpart. Filmore and his partner Ingrid actively investigated and caught counterfeiters, smugglers, chop shops, and saboteurs. It was basically a children friendly crime drama and it was nicely done. READ MORE...

Fillmore was quite the positive role model both in demeanor and his actively working to make things right. He was intelligent, daring, and very good at his job. He had no real super powers but he had a keen mind and an incorruptible sense of right and wrong. He was also a great leader. I was surprised and pleased to see this show appear. Not only did it appear on Disney but the Black characters seemed genuine and the stories were well written.

Alas, all good things end too soon. Unlike most Disney animated series, Filmore! only lasted two seasons. The show debuted in 2002 and the last new episode aired in 2004. I can only speculate as to what caused the show to be cut short but if you missed it don't despair. The series is set to return on Disney XD. It doesn't look like there will be any new episodes though. Here's a clip:

Blokhedz Episode 1

So I just finished watching the first animated episode of Blokhedz over at Mission G and jerky streaming speed aside I have to say I liked it. On first look, it plays like a combination of Static Shock and the Boondocks but I may only be saying that because of the lack of African-American animated series out there. The animation flows nicely, action sequences and all and if I had any complaint at all I'd say it was too long in coming. It's been years since I first saw the first Blokhedz animation and there've been quite a few setbacks. I think it was worth the wait but I'll let you decide for yourself. Some voices might be familiar to you. According to the Facebook page the episode stars "Talib Kweli as Blak, Bobbito Garcia as Eatho, and Affion Crockett as Flash, also featuring Mayda Del Valle" Here's a taste of the first episode below. Go watch the whole thing then come back and let me know what you think.

Whatever Happened to Sun-Man?

I've never seen a comic book, movie, or animated series about this character but I have seen an action figure . . . online. This is what I remember: Sun-Man fought the evil Pig-Face much like He-Man fought Skeletor. The similarities did not end there. Sun-Man seemed to have a variety of comrades each with unique and peculiar powers, again, like He-Man. In fact the only things that made Sun-Man worth remembering for me were his magical melanin skin and the story of how and why he came into being.

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In real life, a woman named Yla Eason,wanted her son to have a Superhero action figure that looked like him, couldn't find one, and went about to create one for him. The 3-year old boy had told her that he could never be a Super-hero because all his action figures were White and he wasn't. Before she invented Sun-Man, one of the things Yla Eason is credited with doing is created the Bronze Bombers which were super hero action figures made out of GI-Joe molds but with the faces painted black. This reminded me of something my mother did. I didn't find out until I was an adult that all the story books she read to me and gave me to read as a child had all the faces and hands colored Black as well. She had done this for me and I had no idea. This is one of the reasons I value Yla Eason's contribution so highly.
All of this happened back in the 80's and now Sun-Man seems nowhere to be found except on E-Bay and in this Web Comic. It gives me pleasure to remember him and his story and especially the people who made him possible. I wonder if he'll ever make a comeback. If you're interested, you can find out more about Sun-Man's story here and here as well as on the official web site.

Barack The Barbarian

Okay, yes I think it's too much. I'll admit I am a fan or our current President but are we going to find any excuse to put the man in a comic book? I have to admit it will probably sell. That Spidey comic with the President in it did amazingly well. I was listening to a podcast the other day and some musicians were pontificating that if Barack Obama were to ever put out a song and put it on iTunes, it would be an instant hit and probably blow up the iTunes website. Business-wise writing about the President is probably a good bet. All that being said, I'm strangely drawn to this comic and will probably buy it. The press release is compelling. Hillary as a Sorceress?:

"BARACK THE BARBARIAN: QUEST FOR THE TREASURE OF STIMULI: Devil's Due and Larry Hama (G.I. Joe, Wolverine) take political satire to a whole new level. Hama, a surprise hire to some, but not to those who truly know his tastes, will take a look at the current state of politics both past and present and isn't afraid to point fun at Washinton's sacred cows. In the distant future the story of Barack Obama has become a little... distorted. According to THE MADDOWIAN CHRONICLES he was the one destined to save the great republic of America and dethrone the overpaid despots of the time. Join Barack, Sorceress Hilaria, her demi-god trickster husband Biil, Overlord Boosh and Chainknee of the Elephant Kingdom. Who can the lone barbarian trust, if anyone?"