Why Black Panther is More Than Just a Comic Book Movie
- Opie Akinsilo
- Jun 30, 2017
- 3 min read
The trailer has dropped, the poster is online, and comic book fans and movie goers are on pins and needles with anticipation. Black Panther has officially been realized, and come next February, the nation of Wakanda will finally hit the big screens and it is arguably one of the most anticipated movies for 2018.
So what does this mean? For some, it is another comic book movie in an already saturated market, and for others it heralds in the hopes of a new era of visibility for minorities in the media. For me, this film offers a different narrative for people of color who look to these fictional heroes for inspiration. At the end of the day though, this is a movie for everyone—not just African Americans.
The Money!!!
This film is going to be one of the first black written, produced, and casted productions with a big Hollywood budget (130 million dollars!). This has never been done for a black film before! The last time a film that lead with black actors had a budget near that size was Bad Boys II, which was directed by Michael Bay.
A film with such a high level of marketing, production, and existing cult following is a perfect place for talented people of color to have exposure in the mainstream. This opens doors, and starts the conversations about diversity and representation in the film and TV industry. With the commercial success of a film with a primarily black cast, what is to stand in the way of other comic book heroes of ethnic origins, i.e Amedus Cho—the new Asian Hulk, or Kamala Khan, the new Ms. Marvel who happens to be muslim. Characters like these are growing in popularity everyday and are building new and unique stories and that will attract younger, more progressive watchers to theaters. It also shows that directors and writers of of color can bring in revenues that compete with current mainstream (primarily white) films.
The Narrative
When it comes to characters that aren't the traditional caucasian, like Clark Kent, Peter Parker or Bruce Wayne, very few see a leading role, a backstory that does not contain a negative stereotype or relies solely on their own merits to succeed.
Now enters T'Challa of Wakanda. Black Panther represents not only a black hero but the best of what heroes can be as far as role models in today's society goes. T'Challa rules as king over an advanced society of people hidden within Africa and is one of the smartest heroes on the planet. And that is not even mentioning hime being Wakanda's most accomplished warrior, having had to defend his crown constantly by way of trial by combat. So you not only do you have an accomplished ruler, experienced warrior, and one of the brightest minds in the world, but also an essential example of what a hero should be. Other races can learn to see and appreciate heroes who are not white—giving value to what it means to be black and not feeding into the negative stereotypes that diminish it. Not to take away from other characters like Luke Cage and Falcon, but there is something to be said about a black hero with no criminal record and leads rather than follows.
The Times
With all the changes in today's society, we seem to be taking one step forward and one step back. We finally have a female led superhero film but we still have to fight for female rights, Bill Nye has returned to television for the sole purpose of combating scientific ignorance. Now, more then ever, it seems like that nation just might be divided in everything from sports, to music and news. Black Panther gives minorities a hero that stands bedside Captain America and Iron Man—not behind them—in a time where being black is as cool as it is dangerous. With people looking for reasons to be different and at odds with one another, this film might be one of the many things that can bring us together. Will it solve all of our differences and inequalities? Absolutely not, that would be ridiculous to expect. But what it can do is give us all about two or so hours of nerding out together in appreciation of a hero that everyone—not just black people—can get behind. Black Panther is our movie as a country, encompassing the best of what it means to be an American, and that-is-that. Regardless of the color of your skin you can achieve your dreams.
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