Maybe a little bit of both? Either way, the title kind of sucks. Would they call a Spider-Man project Spider-Man: I Am The Spider-Man? No. It sounds dumb. Rant over.
I tend to hate motion comics as it allows companies to crank out comic adaptations with very little real movement in the characters and action and sub-par voice acting slapped onto it. I'm still asking people when Spider-Woman turned into a Brit. Now, it seems, the Black Panther animated series is seeing the light of day in the states, minus all the fanfare of being the first positive role model for African American children in this medium. Sorry..I guess Cage, Black Falcon, Jon Stewart Green Lantern, Black Lightnting, Firestorm, Steel, Brother Voodoo, Storm, Vixen, War Machine, Blade, Spawn, Shadow Man, Goliath, Static Shock, Bishop, Omega Man, Mace Windu, etc, do not count. Ahhh..the hype machine. It also seems they are now calling it a motion comic, when in all actuality, it probably falls somewhere in between motion comic and full on animated series. Whatever they'd like to call it, it looks like one hell of a ride! Take a look...Marvel Knights Animation is proud to announce Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther?, a twelve-episode, weekly, all-new series debuting on iTunes, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Zune and PlayStation®Network on June 23rd.
Inspired by the acclaimed graphic novel from respected filmmaker/producer Reginald Hudlin and legendary comic book artist John Romita Jr, Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther? introduces viewers to the Black Panther, the warrior king of Wakanda, a technologically advanced nation in the heart of Africa. As outside forces conspire to plunder this proud nation, the Black Panther will face his greatest threats as he meets Klaw, the man who murdered his father.“The positive responses to news of the show have been so overwhelming, it’s great to finally make the Black Panther series available to everyone,” said Hudlin. “Audiences get caught up on many levels – seeing John Romita Jr’s art come to life; the quality of the voice work by an award winning cast; the boldness of the politics, the music and humor. But see it for yourself!”
Romita Jr added, “The reaction by any person, upon viewing footage of a black panther, is universal: Awe. There is no more elegant a creature on the face of the planet. The creation of the character by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, in a turbulent political time, maintained that quality. Reggie Hudlin's updated version follows that and adds an amazing, cinematic flair to it. In my opinion, reading, and now viewing, the Black Panther series is much akin to witnessing a panther in person. Enjoy the elegance of the story, the elegance of the actors, their voices, their words, and....the imagery.”
This exciting series also features the voices of major celebrities including Academy Award-nominee Djimon Hounsou as Black Panther; Jill Scott as Storm, Kerry Washington as Princess Shuri; Alfre Woodard as both Dondi Reese and Queen Mother; Carl Lumbly as Uncle S’Yan; and comics legend Stan Lee in a special role.
Learn more about Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther? right now at www.marvel.com/blackpanther
