White Scripts and Black Supermen

When the first African-American comic-book hero with his own magazine—a cowboy named Lobo—appeared in 1965 from Dell Comics, stores simply refused to put the label's products on racks. Dell took a punishing loss, and Lobo, needless to say, didn't last or become the subject of any movie adaptation. But soon Marvel and DC (usually with white writers and artists) did introduce "empowered" black male titans: Luke Cage, Black Lightning, Black Panther, Tyroc, Mister Terrific, etc. Like many young black kids, filmmaker Jonathan Gayles relished superhero comics. Here, he interviews a racially diverse assortment of comic-creators (included the late Dwayne McDuffie, to whom this documentary is dedicated), academics, and pop-culture watchers, who discuss various aspects of black male superhero baggage. Some heroes of color were relegated to sidekick roles ("Batman's bitch"), while others had excruciatingly stereotyped super-foes to battle. Some still inspire thoughtful debate. For example, is it ghetto-derogatory or keeping it real that a breakthrough black dude (Luke Cage) was the first superhero to demand money for services? White Scripts and Black Supermen makes no mention of Marvel's vampire-hunter Blade or Superman spin-off Steel, and among the interviewee lineup the high-profile Stan Lee is conspicuous due to his absence (although another Marvel luminary, Tony Isabella, offers some good input). In scrutinizing the racial minutiae of costumed comics avengers, White Scripts and Black Supermen sometimes begs the question: where does keen insight into bigotry and oppression end and über-geeky over-think of campy funny-page fantasy begin? Still, this is a thought-provoking documentary, overall. DVD extras include a look at the first black-oriented comics convention. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)