09/04/2011 – by Cynthia Wright
The comic book world was recently sent into overdrive when it was discovered that the iconic Peter Parker (aka Spiderman) was going to be replaced by Miles Morales – a black, Latino character. While some thought the new direction was something long overdue in a business that has been dominated by white, primarily male characters - quite a few hardcore fans have found the new character direction “disturbing.”
Batwing (the Batman of Africa). Image courtesy of DC Comics
Unfortunately for those that aren’t well suited for comic book change, DC Comics has also been rebooting their own super hero franchise by incorporating more diversity (racially and sexually) into their comic book series. The project titled the New 52, has Eric Wallace being one of its main contributors, in which 52 of the best-known comic book titles are being “remade” to bring in a new fan base.
“When I was growing up, some of the only male African-American role models I had were blaxploitation figures like Shaft and Super Fly. That’s why I do what I do. It’s too late for me, but we’ve got a whole other generation out there,” Wallace shared with the St. Petersburg Times.
Now Wallace, along with a team of writers and artists are making it their mission to showcase diversity, in order to be inclusive to all their fans.
The new comic book series will profile Static Shock, a black kid with powers over electricity who once had a popular TV cartoon; the new Blue Beetle (now a Latino man); Batwing (the Batman of Africa); Green Lantern Corps (co-led by John Stewart, a lantern who is black); Firestorm (a black teenager with nuclear powers); Batwoman (a lesbian); and Wallace’s Mister Terrific, debuting September 14th is about a black man who is the world’s third-smartest person.
“We live in a different world now than we did when Superman and Batman and even Spider-Man was born. We live in a diverse society now. Comic books, just like every other medium, need to start reflecting the audience that is consuming the medium.”
It is refreshing to see comics embracing a more diverse culture – even if some of the hardcore fan base is not as accepting. Hopefully, this mentality will spill over into more facets of the entertainment industry. One can hope, at least.