Black Panther: Now that I've actually READ some of it...

[Trusty Mutsi]

There's been a lot of talk lately about the "Ghetto-ization" of Black Panther, and making him a black stereotype. Well, I've been reading various posts about it, and didn't like what I heard was happening with BP. I even posted my displeasure on where the book was going.

I got a surprise reply from Mr. Hudlin himself. He basically said I haven't read it, don't knwo what I'm talking about, but complain anyway.

My first reaction was of course negative. I thought the reply was a bit short and terse, but it kinda got to me, and I kept thinking: Maybe I SHOULD read it.

Well, now that I gone through the latest issue with BP asking Storm to marry him, I REALLY haven't seen anything stereotypical. If anything, I may have actually found him a little REFRESHING after the years of him being a somewhat cold calculating political figure. He actually smiled a little, and seemed, I dunno... healthier?

I also got the chance to check out BP #7, and now I see what the infamous "You got me straight trippin', boo" line is all about. He's QUOTING it for goodness sake. It's nothing like I imagined.

So I guess what I'm saying is, I learned a life lesson yesterday: I REALLY should read the book before I complain.

Mr. Hudlin, sometimes you come across short with people on the boards, but maybe there's a good reason because you're just really frustrated with the reactions. I personally still agree that honey is better than vinegar, but I still feel I was in the wrong this time. I apologize. I DID speak about something I didn't really understand completely. And maybe there are other issues of BP that I WOULDN'T care for, but I actually LIKED what I've read. I hereby promise I will check out a book for myself before slamming or glorifying it. If I haven't read it, and someone posts their thoughts on a comic, I will keep my reactions to: Boy, that doesn't SOUND like a good comic.

One last note: This post is meant to share my life lesson. It's not intended to spark controversy. PLEASE, let's not make it "Lock-bait" :)

[The Shadow]

That is a valuable lesson to learn!

Hudlin did have a point and it's good you have seen the error of your ways and won't judge without reading!

That still doesn't change the fact that Hudlin's Panther isn't any good... but that's a whole other thread! ;)

[Doom Hammer]

Guhh...

I stopped buying it, but the first twelve issues were heinous. All the complaints about continuity, dialogue, immature racial stereotyping, "ghetto-ization", and generally nonsensical plot developments and decisions are there. Twelve issues is enough for any writer to start hammering that crap out, and Hudlin failed to do so. And he's pretty much the only Hollywood writer to do so poorly: Young Avengers and Super-Skrull are already fan favorites, everyone loves Ultimate Hulk versus Wolverine, Astonishing X-Men sells like hotcakes, etc.

People can spend their money on this rag if they want. There's so many more deserving titles though, it just makes me so sad to see people overlooking the glaring inconsistencies of this book because the writer scolds critics, or the book ties into a bunch of other comics, or some African American readers feel they must support this character even though he's handled poorly. (I didn't make the last one up, it was brought up in another debate on the issue).

It's just such a poor book, and it's discouraging to see people (like the writer) overlooking or even refusing to acknowledge its faults for over a dozen issues.

Buy Marvel Team-Up! Thing! She-Hulk! Those low-selling books are of a much higher quality than the horrid Black Panther, and it's not like you're missing anything: Black Panther is nothing more than a poorly written "fun" book with inept social commentary that tries to make it seem important.

[kisit111]

Well at lest Luke Cage's wedding is doing better.

[Crash-Man]

This is a "life lesson"?

It sounds like common sense. The kinda stuff you learn as a child.

Are you sure you didn't just post this thread to quell your embarassment?

[Exodus]

This is a "life lesson"?

It sounds like common sense. The kinda stuff you learn as a child.

Are you sure you didn't just post this thread to quell your embarassment?


Not to be inflamatory (but i will), this is propably the most useless comment ive ever seen anyone write.

Whats the point of it?
Does it have anything to do with Black Panther?

Its not a life lesson?
Take a look around, how many ppl do u think actually knows when to keep their mouth shut when talking about something they know nothing about, obviously not you.

-Exodus

[Trusty Mutsi]

This is a "life lesson"?

It sounds like common sense. The kinda stuff you learn as a child.

Are you sure you didn't just post this thread to quell your embarassment?

It's actually not common sense. If it were common, more people would do it.

And yes, I'm absolutely sure I didn't do it to quell embarassment. And if I wanted to do that, there's other less humble ways I could have done it. I could have just stuck to my guns in a narrow minded way and kept defending my position.

Did I HAVE to stop at the comic shop on the way home and read the comic for myself? No.

Anyway, it really doesn't matter what you believe my motivations are for apologizing. I didn't do it so everyone would accept it with open arms. I did it because it was the right thing to do.

[kalorama]

It might be worth considering (although the tone of this argument leads me to believe that any kind of "consideration" by any parties is a lost hope) that the issue in which the legendary "You got me straight trippin', boo" line appeared was a House of M tie-in that took place in an alternate universe filled with characters doing and saying things they wouldn't otherwise do in the real MU.

[/End reasonable interpretation] You may now return to the yelling and screaming.

[kisit111]

It might be worth considering (although the tone of this argument leads me to believe that any kind of "consideration" by any parties is a lost hope) that the issue in which the legendary "You got me straight trippin', boo" line appeared was a House of M tie-in that took place in an alternate universe filled with characters doing and saying things they wouldn't otherwise do in the real MU.

[/End reasonable interpretation] You may now return to the yelling and screaming.

The only thing this Wedding issue is going to bring is notting but yelling and screaming.

[Schmakt]

I kind of got tired of reading all the additional posts... as I'm not overly interested in the Black Panther or how African-Americans do or don't speak...

just wanted to say that I appreciate the spirit and basic idea put forth by the original poster. Life-lesson or common sense... I still think it was a good thing to post and something of which many people often need to be reminded.

[Trusty Mutsi]

I kind of got tired of reading all the additional posts... as I'm not overly interested in the Black Panther or how African-Americans do or don't speak...

just wanted to say that I appreciate the spirit and basic idea put forth by the original poster. Life-lesson or common sense... I still think it was a good thing to post and something of which many people often need to be reminded.


Thanks. I appreciate the kind words:)

[Cowlander]

Agreed, fandom as a whole would be in alot better shape if more people did this.

[xmanson]

Is Whitney gonna sing in the wedding?

Would be fun for her to think Ororo's hair is covered in coke and try to sniff it up.

Is the mother talking to Ororo the real-that-was-dead one? Or Ramona (or Ramonda)?

Tchalla looks much better bald.

Are they gonna marry under the Panther clan, the Goddes thing or a rabi?

[Expletive Deleted]

Is it possible for members of this community to have a discussion of BLACK PANTHER without getting personal?

For the last time. Talk about the comic books, not each other.

[algertman]

I dropped it after issue 6

If I wanna be called a racist I sure as hell ain't gonna read a comic for it