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a RaceFail symposium

Rich Watson — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:24:39 +0000

Transformative Works and Cultures is an online peer-reviewed journal that deals with pop culture and fandom. Here’s a link to a great big meta-discussion hosted by TWC, involving some of the participants in the “RaceFail” debate concerning race in SF that spread across a number of SF blogs earlier this year. (Thanks to Jane for the link.)

What’s with these black versions of cartoon characters?

Rich Watson — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:24:18 +0000

“The phenomenon of ‘urbanized’ cartoon character tees exploded in the early ’90s, and its figurehead was Black Bart Simpson. Black Bart wasn’t the first case – a Washington Post article from June of 1990 reports that ‘Afro-Americanized’ Mickey Mouse tees predated him by a little bit – but he was the biggest. As the official Simpsons merchandising monster grew, a sublegal counterpart sprang up. Seeing an easy buck, bootleggers produced straight-up ripoffs of licensed Simpsons gear, but things quickly got more interesting.”

Comics for August 19 and news

Rich Watson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:18:14 +0000

Army of Darkness: Ash Saves Obama #1 (of 4)

6-page preview (plus variant cover)

Amazon link to buy Army of Darkness director’s cut DVD

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Also this week:

Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance #4 (of 6). Art by Chriscross.

Supergirl #44. Pencils by Igle.

Squadron Supreme: Bright Shining Lies TP

Beyond Wonderland HC. Written by Gregory.

Gold Digger #110. By Perry.

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Also notable:

Daredevil #500

Archie #600. Archie pops the question!

Astro Boy Movie Adaptation #1

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In case you missed it, I’ve started a new comics blog called Great Black Comic Books. I think the title explains what it’s about. I started with Stagger Lee; I’ve since added entries for The Complete K Chronicles and Moped Army. Expect updates about twice a week or so.

Here are some images from the set of the film adaptation of The Losers.

Is a fourth Blade movie a possibility?

Slightly off-topic, but somewhat notable, I think: Armond White is a prominent black film critic notorious for his history of going against the grain on many critically acclaimed films. When he did it again last week by giving the well-received sci-fi film District 9 a negative review, Fandom Assembled rose against him with a quickness. I’ve read his reviews in the past, thought him pretentious and contrary for the sake of being contrary, and stoppped reading him. I don’t think I gave him any thought at all until the past few weeks. Why can’t people just ignore him if they don’t like him? So he ruined the film’s perfect score at Rotten Tomatoes. So what? It’s still a legitimate hit. Nothing he writes will change that.

more Comic-Con ’09 reports

Rich Watson — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:35:25 +0000

Vince Moore @ Comics Waiting Room on the Black Panel

CBR report on the Cleveland Show panel

Don Cheadle interview

Pam @ AWSM (lotsa pictures)

Brooklyn teen to appear in Superman comic

Rich Watson — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:25:56 +0000

Not a regular Superman comic, but a special one-off, as the result of an essay contest. (Thanks to Maurice Boyer for the link.)

Darrin Bell, Brandon Easton in a thread on SF POCs

Rich Watson — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:19:57 +0000

On the message boards at Trek Nation, writer Brandon Easton (“comicbookwriter”) and cartoonist Darrin Bell (“Cartoonist” – gotta love these usernames they’ve chosen) have been part of a discussion about people of color in sci-fi that has gone on for months. Easton enters the discussion on page four, Bell on page 11. Worth a look.