MovieChat Forums > Spawn (1997) Discussion > First black superhero film

First black superhero film


I know the movie is not the best but I was not aware it was the first to exist in terms of having a black male lead in a superhero role. With the hype about black panther, ''Blade'' gets brought up a lot or Hancock but I don't don't think anyone knows about Spawn or they forget. Interesting.

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Actually, Steel, Meteorman, and Blankman came before Spawn. But yes, black superhero movies have been around for some time.

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I’ve already seen a dozen or so videos, articles, and even a meme or two (genuinely humorous ones actually) calling attention to black superhero movies that came before the 2018 film. Spawn has been included in many of these.

Maybe a few out there incorrectly label Black Panther as the first black superhero movie (the character’s creation DOES proceed all of those already mentioned), but most folks have been right on the money regarding this subject. Black Panther is a part of the biggest franchise in the world and its cast is mostly black. Along with with some other aspects about it, it makes sense BP is easily overshadowing previous depictions of Black superheroes. The film is a great piece of cinema and it is justifiably a big deal.

Why Spawn isn’t brought up in general is no mystery. Although I have soft spot for it, the movie is kinda tacky and just that forgettable (save for John Leguizamo and the soundtrack). Michael Jai White was badass but hopefully the character will get a better adaptation someday.

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So true

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It was to me. A real comic super hero. Before I saw the comic I'd never seen an actual one who wasnt mostly supporting and then of course the movie. Being a huge fan, I went to the movies and it was pack for blacks. Mostly black people. I had wish they had more superhero's to look up to and to have better hope and role models.

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