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Bold, black and beautiful, 'Black Panther' hopes for cultural shift

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Black Panther is essentially to Wakanda what Captain America is to America

Except that he's King. And rich. And a genius. And black.

Totally the same.

Where did I say they're totally the same - it's what they symbolize to their respective countries

What's Captain America to America? He's their symbol of what makes America great. It doesn't matter to America whether or not he's king or rich or genius, etc.

Gotta ponder beyond superficial aspects - concepts go deeper

0 ( +0 / -0 )

clamenza: why on earth would an adult look to children’s comic books for moral guidance?

You're someone who either lives in Japan, or has a keen interest in it, if you read and post in JT.

And yet, you don't understand how people might look to manga for inspiration?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If you are over the age of 18 and look to comic books and comic book movies for entertainment, moral lessons, or both, you need to grow the heck up. And fast.

But what do you actually know about them, if you don't mind me asking?

From what you've post here, I gather that you don't read them, you don't watch them and you consistently ignore the examples from outside of the superhero genre I've supplied.

What books do you suggest for entertainment etc?

I like Paul Auster, Flann O' Brien, EM Forster, James Joyce, Dickens, Chinua Achebe, Murakami, Orwell, Ursula Le Guin and Philip Roth to name but a few. But I also enjoy pop culture as well.

Do you watch sports and does it entertain you? There's not much difference aslong as it pleases you.

I don't understand the snobbery.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Watched the trailer. a lot of the action is straight out of  Deadpool. Not a bad thing!

I like the "African" inspired universe it showed. Will defo be going to see it (when it typically arrives later in Japan than everywhere else in the world)

Looking forward to it actually. I think it will tick all the boxes and more!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Thank you for your opinion. Thankfully there are many people who don't agree and continue to create and demand comic books and movies based on comics.

Yes indeed. They are called millennials. The same people who are afraid of words and ideas they don’t agree with. The very same people who live in a fixed state of childhood.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

If you are over the age of 18 and look to comic books and comic book movies for entertainment, moral lessons, or both, you need to grow the heck up. And fast.

Thank you for your opinion. Thankfully there are many people who don't agree and continue to create and demand comic books and movies based on comics.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It's not about looking to comic books for life lessons. It's about looking to comic books for entertainment... 

If you are over the age of 18 and look to comic books and comic book movies for entertainment, moral lessons, or both, you need to grow the heck up. And fast.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Not sure what Muslims have to do with the topic, Jimmy?

As for reviews, journalists get their own screenings weeks beforehand. Same with test audiences.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

You learn morals from your parents, period.

So... Where do orphans get their morals? Orphans have morals too. Truth is we learn our morals from many places... friends and acquaintances, school, and even books we read whether it's a comic or a classic.

Anyone who feels the need to look to comic books for life lessons has had a VERY traumatic childhood.

It's not about looking to comic books for life lessons. It's about looking to comic books for entertainment... and if you can't learn something important from a form of entertainment because "you learn morals from your parents, period" then you have had a VERY sheltered childhood.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Kidas DomFeb. 14  08:30 pm JST

I'm sure this film will do great at the Black Oscars. Or is the Black Emmys? I can never remember which one it is.

I am not sure which either, but I am sure it is politically correct to watch both and to cheer on the winners while watching. I am sure it will be the talk of the coffee and water cooler corner the following day.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Already a garbage movie if 99% of all the reviews are all positive before even coming out yet!!

Complete waste of time/scam.

If you want to watch black men in spandex tights go watch NFL or NBA if you like the muslim mohammud over sized shorts/skirts.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

A rich African country with a king? Hmmm....Rhodesia or south africa under king George of UK? Ethiopia biblical times? Egypt under the pharaohs? Modern African countries tend to be post communist, corrupt presidential dictatorships with low standards of living. Its been several decades for some and centuries for others from colonialism. Why isn't there a stable rich African country? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Toasted heretic:

Star wars and star trek were not diverse and are specist. Human actors are put in Klingon and ewok face. When will they stop this travesty? Don't get me started on miss universe (not even one non-human...)

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Black Panther is essentially to Wakanda what Captain America is to America

Except that he's King. And rich. And a genius. And black.

Totally the same.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Black Panther is essentially to Wakanda what Captain America is to America

I'm noticing even many people who aren't into superhero movies are excited to see this one - 94% of 40k users on Rotten Tomatoes wanting to see it

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Interesting... A Trump supporter telling us that morals shouldn't be learned from a comic book character. Maybe not but there are some people who are far worse examples.

I never said that. Not once. You don't learn morals from politicians because they live in a cutthroat world.

You learn morals from your parents, period.

Anyone who feels the need to look to comic books for life lessons has had a VERY traumatic childhood.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

How important to the Avengers comics is Black Panther? Is he a major player? Just wondering because before this film was announced I had never heard of the character.

More importantly when are we getting Captain Britain?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Comic books straddle all genres. It's really difficult to classify them.

You could try read the award-winning Maus, by Art Spiegelman - a beautiful, poignant and terrifying tale based on his father's experiences as a survivor of the Holocaust. It's a comic but it transcends the genre.

But there's no need to be snooty about comics. If you don't get them, you don't get them. I'm like that over a lot of popular sports. I can watch them and sometimes enjoy them but quite often, I'm not sure what the point is. But then, it's not my thing.

American writers and artists (during the Golden Age) often came from working class Jewish backgrounds and gave us such greats as Superman (Siegel and Shuster), The Spirit (Will Eisner) and Batman (Kane and Finger).

Their heroes were fighting not just outlandish baddies but social injustices, too.

Back in the UK, things were a bit more staid until the likes of 2000AD which gave readers the likes of The Harlem Heroes (a kind of futuristic Harlem Globetrotters) and the brilliantly bonkers series Blackhawk, a freed Nubian slave who ends up fighting aliens in the far reaches of space. And then you had Doctor Who Weekly in which writers like Alan Moore and Grant Morrison cut their teeth. DWW featured the Doctor's first black companion - Sharon. Long before the telly series ever did.

Which brings us back to one of the first US black comic book heroes - Black Panther. It's exciting for us who grew up with all these characters (whatever their ethnicity) to see them in film. Like seeing your favorite team reach the finals, I guess.

And be it Black Panther, or Road to Perdition, Oldboy or Men in Black - there's plenty of room for all kinds of comic based entertainment.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Interesting... A Trump supporter telling us that morals shouldn't be learned from a comic book character. Maybe not but there are some people who are far worse examples.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I prefer this Batman quote from a Mr Freeze, if memory serves;

"Lets kick some ice" (in thick Austrian accent)

My God, yes! I see the depth of children's comix now!

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

I'm sure this film will do great at the Black Oscars. Or is the Black Emmys? I can never remember which one it is.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

How many people cried about the lord of the rings franchise and the lack of diversity.?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Some people can't even give a movie with fictional characters a break!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I prefer this Superman quote (sorry, Marvel)

The world of full of exceptional people. The people in the world who do kindness, or search for the truth despite their lives being at risk. The engineers, the teachers, the doctors, and adoptive parents, the scholars and the firemen, and yes, the journalists. People who risk everything for the sake of others and those who simply try to help those whose need be greater than their own. Those people inspire me, not the other way around

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why on earth would an adult look to a thousands of year old book of fables for moral guidance?

You’re right. “Hulk smash!” Is so much more poignant...

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

At the end of the day many black people do not care about this movie. The media make you believe otherwise. We are living in a world where pride and resiliency are seen as anarchy/disturbance. Get off your high horses and embrace the fact that this generation was not supposed to be like the 60s. It’s understandable that some might feel offended by the affirmation of self love and appreciation in this movie, but remind your little selves that there’s no fire without smoke. Your forefathers made it to be like this. Suck it up and stop whining.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Why on earth would an adult look to a thousands of year old book of fables for moral guidance?

These are all written by human beings, people read into it what they want, or they don't.

I am offended when someone tries to put some other continent, country, color or name in front of what I am. I am an AMERICAN and proud to be one.

Indeed. Black Panther, though is from the fictional country Wakanda. In Africa.

Perpetuating stereotypes like in this movie is not a good teaching tool for citizens of the world. It shows a divided country....which used to be called The United States, or simply AMERICA.

I haven't seen it yet, although I'm guessing it will be focused in the fictional country of Wakanda. Captain America Civil War - that film was about division but maybe that was more about the split in the Avengers, rather than about your country?

At the end of the day, Black Panther (a character who was created in the 70s - not the other day) is just a movie. Entertainment.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Maybe this one breathes new life into the genre because I am starting to get a bit bored on super hero movies. I've missed maybe 50% of the newest super hero movies.

Anyway, it is great that there is a bunch of kids (and older kids) who have a new hero they can identify with and look up to. It will be fun to see kids dressed up like the BP during Halloween.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Kurisupisu- why on earth would an adult look to children’s comic books for moral guidance?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

The Black Panther is a hero with morals and intelligence- his appeal was that he is also proud with an air of mystery.

Surely, a character for all to emulate

2 ( +3 / -1 )

its a quota-filler movie that if any critics critique they will be labeled as racists

It’s already happening. The critics on rotten tomatoes are already being labeled as such.

The fix is on in this one. It will be defined as a great movie by decree.

You will say you like it - or else.

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

I am offended when someone tries to put some other continent, country, color or name in front of what I am. I am an AMERICAN and proud to be one.

Perpetuating stereotypes like in this movie is not a good teaching tool for citizens of the world. It shows a divided country....which used to be called The United States, or simply AMERICA.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

The irony is that the setting is of a king who literally has walls to keep outsiders out, a ruler that Trump would surely get along with! I suppose race is more important than politics though.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It would be cool if they gave him some kickass powers - he's basically Marvel's Batman.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Moronic to believe that one superhero movie will change the world.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Meh.

If it's a fun movie, great. If it's not, too bad. Beyond that, black, white or tootsie roll, I don't really care.

People make too much of it.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

As someone who read Black Panther back in the 70s, along with Luke Cage, Blade et al, I can say that he's the character I've been waiting for the most for a big screen outing.

Like Star Trek and Star Wars, Marvel has always mirrored our diverse world and it's a wonder it's taken this long for BP to be represented on the big screen (apart from Civil War, natch). Those who feel awkward about it don't have to watch it.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

It's just a movie. Marvel's Blade was not seen as a cultural change coz its lead actor, Wesley Snipes, is black. And he was there coz he was badass. And so with Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker, etc. The only reason this is a "cultural" change

2 ( +5 / -3 )

its a quota-filler movie that if any critics critique they will be labeled as racists

0 ( +12 / -12 )

This is the problem with modernity. There were numerous, even decent, films and other art forms with people with black skin, afroamericans, africans whoever they are so not to insult anyone. But now it is highlighted every time as something OUTSTANDING, UNFATHOMABLE. But it is merely a hypocrisy by lesser human beings, tangled in the social constructs too crooked they lose to reality. By calling out this particular film, or any this age for merely featuring a black main character is, well, offensive to all those black main characters who did their best before, only to be rolled under the rug under the pretense of IT WAS NOT DIVERSE ENOUGH.

Modern society sucks.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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