Sunday, April 26, 2009

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.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

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...

Monday, April 20, 2009

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...

Monday, April 13, 2009

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.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

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.

READ MORE...

Friday, April 3, 2009

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?"