Entertainment Weekly's Insulting Black Panther Cover Shows There's Still a Long Way to Go

Discussion in 'Group Discussions' started by OckyDub, Dec 3, 2015.

  1. OckyDub

    OckyDub is a Verified MemberOckyDub I gave the Loc'ness monstah about $3.50
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    DA FUK IS THIS SHYT??
    [​IMG]

    You know Black Panther. I know Black Panther. But at this point, the average person out there in the world doesn't know Black Panther, even following actor Chadwick Boseman's brief live-action debut in the role in the recently released "Captain America: Civil War" trailer, which as of publication of this article has been viewed more than 40 million times on YouTube alone.

    So landing on the cover of "Entertainment Weekly" -- which even in the waning days of print media reported a 1.8 million circulation in 2013, along with a robust online presence -- is a big deal for the hero. This week's EW cover, released online today, features Boseman, in costume between Chris Evans as Captain America and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man (they're both unmasked, Boseman is not) promoting a cover story on "Civil War," which will introduce Black Panther to the Marvel Cinematic Universe before he goes on to star in a solo film set for 2018; the first Marvel film of the post-"Iron Man" era to star a Black superhero.

    It all sounds pretty good until you take a closer look at the cover -- Black Panther has a "Meow" dialogue prompt above his head (Cap and Iron Man remain diaogue-free). This is the copy EW went with when introducing the first Black superhero in mainstream American comics to the world at large: "The biggest Marvel movie yet introduces Black Panther. He's tall, powerful -- and has claws that a Real Housewife would envy."

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    Yes, one of the most historically significant characters in comic book history has been reduced to a joke -- twice! -- on the magazine cover where potentially millions of people (don't forget the multitudes who will see this cover in our nation's grocery stores and doctor's offices) will see said character for the first time. It's not fair to Boseman, an acclaimed actor set for the highest-profile role of a career that's already included some rather major roles (playing Jackie Robinson in "42," playing James Brown in "Get On Up"). It's not fair to the comics fans to whom Black Panther means a great deal in terms of progress and representation. It's not fair to comics in general, as it's yet another reminder that for a large part of the population, the medium is and will remain something to not take seriously at all costs. (And do panthers even meow?)

    Sure, Marvel has a lot of characters that invite having fun. "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Ant-Man" and even "The Avengers" have some inherent absurdity in their concepts, and the films reflect that. But specifically, Black Panther is a serious character -- he doesn't really crack jokes, and he's the super-smart, super-capable king of an African nation. As CBR columnist Joseph Illidge put it just this week in THE MISSION, "Black Panther exists in a unique category of heroes. That of the intellectual, wealthy ruler. He is a symbol of the Black male heritage, accomplishments, and aspirations. The Black Panther is the antithesis of the demonization of the American Black man, perpetuated by various parties in media and government institutions." Both jokes in EW's cover copy emasculate a character that represents Black success; the end result is problematic and oddly tone-deaf.

    Jokey cover copy is a trademark of "Entertainment Weekly" -- I'm a subscriber and have been a reader since I was in elementary school. I don't think there was any negative intent on the magazine's part, and I'm sure the actual article pays the character due respect. But there's also a responsibility, here. This is the first Black superhero in American comics, and the first Black superhero to headline a film in the massively popular Marvel Cinematic Universe and this is the way that likely millions of people will see the character for the first time. Maybe save the jokes for the sequel?
     
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  2. OckyDub

    OckyDub is a Verified MemberOckyDub I gave the Loc'ness monstah about $3.50
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    DA FUK IS THIS SHYT?? "Meow" comparing Black Panther to a "House Wife"? This to me is emasculating.
    cpnoway:dafuq3::nopekid:
     
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  3. OckyDub

    OckyDub is a Verified MemberOckyDub I gave the Loc'ness monstah about $3.50
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    This was a comment from Facebook:
    What's more: character placement; Black Panther behind Cap & Stark- not flanked by or even between but behind...
    My argument here is that introduction of new characters typically allow for the new character to be placed in the foreground not obscured from view.
    [​IMG]
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    Is my point clear? More often than not #racism is not like past generations- today's racism is slick,subtle and high-pitched like a dog whistle
     
    #3 OckyDub, Dec 3, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2015
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  4. Cyrus-Brooks

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    It's subliminal messaging. This how black men, even if they’re superheroes are emasculated, and trivialized. Fuck Entertainment Weekly and the white media.
     
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  5. Dreamwalker

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    I've been waiting for this post......you're late lol
     
  6. Nick Delmacy

    Nick Delmacy is a Verified MemberNick Delmacy Da Architect
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    I already argued against this on Facebook...but I'm not mad at the cover...Like, who the fukk is Black Panther? And who the fukk is Chadwick Boseman? Readers of Entertainment weekly most likely are not familiar with either so it makes sense that the editors not only had him pose in full costume but also added a little camp to lighten up the character's association with the the Black Panther Party...

    I know many won't agree with me but as a dude who has no prior association with the Black Panther and I really don't care about the character compared to Iron Man and Captain America, this doesn't bother me. It's just a promotional fluff piece for a comic book movie. Besides, its a good thing that they featured him on the cover at all. That could just as easily have been Skarlett Johannson instead of Black Panther.
     
  7. OckyDub

    OckyDub is a Verified MemberOckyDub I gave the Loc'ness monstah about $3.50
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    This was to introduce a new black character/super hero who just so happens will have his own stand alone movie. This hasn't been done since Blade. To say "who the fukk is..." means people don't know AND the first introduction most people will get is this campy emasculating tongue and check foolishness from a character who is the furthest from that.

    What's interesting with comments like yours is that they are the complete opposite when it comes to characters you care about or are invested in...like your pissy fits over the new Batman v Superman movie. Maybe try to understand the same way you are passionate about one of you favorite characters, people feel the same about other characters who you may not know about. Da fuk is wrong with you?
    :dafuq3:
     
  8. Nick Delmacy

    Nick Delmacy is a Verified MemberNick Delmacy Da Architect
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    Again, its a comic book movie, not the Roots remake. Most people out there don't take these films and characters as seriously as you do. Its a popcorn movie. No one is going to buy that Entertainment Weekly issue and suddenly think less of Black men in general. I don't dislike Batman v Superman for superficial reasons like: "some random magazine didn't represent the comic book character Batman and seriously as he should be represented!" No, I dislike what I've seen of the movie itself and what I saw from the director's previous vision for storytelling methods.
     
  9. OckyDub

    OckyDub is a Verified MemberOckyDub I gave the Loc'ness monstah about $3.50
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    Just shut up you jerk! You already be conditioned and brain washed by white supremacy.
    BTW...
    ....DEAD
    :dead1::deadmanny:
     
  10. tigerbreaux

    tigerbreaux Polymath In-training
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    While I don't have a problem with him being in full costume, and maybe not even him being in the back, the dialogue bubble and description are both VERY tone deaf, but that's the thing about white people, they never have to worry about their tone because of their privilege. Even if they're called out, they just give an "Oops, sorry you were offended by my words, I'm dumb, I apologize." and move on. While I don't believe (and sincerely hope) it wasn't done intentionally, it will continue to happen, cause white people will continue to white. They can't help it.
     
  11. BlackOnyx1

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    mannnnnnn fuck them for doing that they are so wrong and knew what the fuck kind of shit they were starting with this!
     
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