There have been two follow ups to Peter David’s open letter (both found here) and that’s gonna get interesting.
One thing however really bothered me. In the letter by Christopher Priest (author of Black Panther), he says “The fact is, not enough people have the same warm spot in their heart for BLACK PANTHER as they do for SPIDER-MAN, or THOR. That’s just the way it is. I’m black, and I did not have the warm spot for PANTHER“. Now call me naive if you wish but I really don’t see what race has to do with a comic character or me buying said comic. I don’t understand it either.
I’ve bought a lot of comics, my collection stands over 300 graphic novels at this point. I don’t ever remember race of the author or the lead character or a supporting character affecting my choices in anyway. In fact for most of the comics I read I have no idea what colour the author is, the same for books. In the FAQ on Priest’s Black Panther site, he does mention he is the only black mainstream comic book author (to the best of his knowledge). I am pretty surprised at that, it doesn’t make any sense to me at all. What difference does it make? The only time I’ve ever been surprised by a picture of an author I read was of Denny O’Neil (Batman, Azrael) as he was damn old (that’s not really much related but I’ll throw it in anyway). Why would anyone care what an author looks like?
Blade was one of the most successful comic to movie transitions, it has a sequel due out shortly and a second sequel on the cards. Balde is black in the comics and the movie. The upcoming Daredevil has cast Michael Clarke Duncan as Kingpin, a character who happens to be white in the comic and there has been little if any reaction to that other than the thought that he is perfect for the part (which I personally think he is).
I don’t get it. I really don’t.