From the LegionM.com website... The news broke last week in Variety that screenwriter Rob Edwards will be attaching to the Legion M project in development, Defiant. Rob has been brought on board to write a graphic novel adaptation of this feature film in development, which details the incredible true story of Civil War hero Captain Robert Smalls.

Rob Edwards’ prolific 13 year writing career spans both features and TV. His credits include two classic films for Walt Disney Feature Animation, the Academy Award nominated The Princess and the Frog and Treasure Planet. He has also written projects for Showtime, Sony, Mofac, and Marvel Studios, consulted on Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, and Frozen, and written/produced for iconic television shows including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Full House, and In Living Color. Collaborating alongside Legion M on the project are Marvin “Krondon” Jones III (Black Lightning, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse), award-winning best-selling author Robert Blake Whitehill, the Wolper Organization (Roots), Chris Cooper (Legion M Exec), and legendary actor, director, producer and Legion M advisor Bill Duke (Mandy, Predator, Black Lightning).

SAD NEWS: South African actress and model Charlbi Dean has died at the age of 32. According to Deadline, the South African model and actress passed away in New York City on Monday from a sudden, unexpected illness. Dean is known for starring in CW’s Black Lightning and the upcoming 2022 film and Cannes Film Festival acclaimed Triangle of Sadness, where she stars alongside Woody Harrelson. Born in Cape Town, Dean got her start in modeling at age six before going on to star in the Spud movies, starring Troye Sivan, in her early twenties. She was later featured in two seasons of the CW series, Black Lightning, as recurring character Syonide an orphan-turned-assassin who was trained by Tobias Whale (Marvin “Krondon” Jones III). Dean appeared in nine episodes of the series’ first two seasons, form the 2018 pilot to the first episode of Season 2. Other credits include Death Race 3: Inferno, Don’t Sleep, and An Interview with God. As a model, she covered the South African editions of GQ and Elle in December 2008 and July 2010, respectively. Shortly after the news of her passing broke, tributes from fans began pouring in. “What a massive shock and tragedy,” one wrote. “She’s so witty and deadpan and clockwork-precise in Triangle of Sadness, and I was so excited to see a new South African talent on the international scene. My thoughts are with all her loved ones and collaborators.” Another said, “This is absolutely devastating. Charlbi Dean was such an exciting performer to me after seeing her in Triangle of Sadness. Her work had a vulnerability and intellect a lesser actor would have denied the character. A true talent and sending love to her family.” “Charlbi Dean was a genuinely lovely person whose talent and warmth the world was about to discover,” a third posted, adding that they are “beyond sad to read this.” Up Your Geek extends its condolences to Dean’s family, friends, colleagues and fans. #peaceinparadise #rip #CharlbiDean #Actor #Model #TV #BlackLightning #Syonide #TriangleOfSadness https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch5jXMTLrj8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

All the credit in the world to Krondon cuz he’s cool & talented as hell but goddamn am I glad Tobias finally fucking died after 4 long ass seasons

365 DC Comics Paper Cut-Out Villains - One Villain, Every Day, All Year…

February 29th - Tobias Whale

Tobias Whale is a cruel and cunning crime boss who possesses great strength and durability. He rose through the ranks of organized crime to the position of over-boss of narcotics for the international syndicate known as The 100. Whale’s operations put him into regular conflict with the superhero, Black Lightning, becoming the hero’s primary nemesis. Tobias Whale has featured in the Black Lighting television series, portrayed by actor/rapper Marvin “Krondon” Jones III. The villain first appeared in Black Lightning #1 (1977).

Black Lightning | Season 3 Extended Trailer

This looks intense!! 

Chantal Thuy instagram takeover 02.04.19

Tobias. 

@warnerbrostv: It's the #BlackLightning Comic-Con Class of 2018 photo! @blacklightning #WBSDCC #SDCC2018

Black lightning oct 9, 2018 second season

'Black Lightning' Cast Previews Season 2 | Comic-Con 2018 | TVLine

I loved how the interviewer knew so much about the show. And not just the rumors of what will happen in the new season, but details about the characters. You can tell he’s an actual fan of the show because only someone who watched the show could pick up on how Gambi’s shop never seems to have any customers other than the Pierces and Tobias. LOL!

I especially liked the clue about whether or not Henderson would learn of or become more suspicious of Black Lightning’s identity. Their reaction really hangs a light on that detail, and it’s great to see them laugh about it.

Hey guys !

I know that it is a little unusual for me to post twice in the same week but I saw a post last week that made me want to write this review earlier than I had planned. This post was about the lack of Blacks representation in main roles in movies and TV shows and I instantly thought about this new little show that is being broadcast on the CW called Black Lightning. So that is what I will talk about today.

And to start, as usual, a little summary : Jefferson Pierce -now a father to two daughters and a charter highschool principal- made the choice to hung up the suit and hide his secret identity during a decade. But with a daughter hell-bent on justice and a star student being recruited by a local gang, he will have no other choice than dust up his old suit and get back into the fight as the wanted vigilante called Black Lightning.  

And now a little technical presentation:

- Character created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden with the comics Black Lightning (1977).

- Developed by: Salim Akil, Greg Berlanti and Mara Brock Akil.

- Music by: Kurt Farquhar.

- Main cast: Cress Williams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, James Remar, Marvin “Krondon” Jones III, Damon Gupton.

So the reasons that made me want to push up the writing of this article is simply because the one I had read dealt with Blacks representation in main/leader roles and well, this show is composed at 97% of black actors and actresses so I found the counterbalance quite interesting. It is true that the number white people and the number of black people that succeed in landing a main role -whether in a movie or a TV show- are not equal yet things are slowly evolving. However, it is too often -yet not always- true that Black people who land a main role are chosen because the character is necessarily dark skinned (works about segregation, slavery, colonialism, social injustice are just examples of this). I really wanted to show that despite the representation issue being a main topic lately -whether it is about skin color, sexual orientation or disabilities-, Black Lightning tackles subjects that transcend those boundaries and explore all their characters, even the villains.

First and foremost, I would like to talk about the cast. The cast of this show is -as I said before- mainly composed of Black actors and actresses and have only ONE white main character, Gambi, -who is a sort of Alfred Pennyworth to Jefferson Pierce and who is portrayed by the great James Remar- and I think that it is a great change. I only knew one of the actresses when I started watching the show -China Anne McClain- but that is not the reason that made me want to watch the show. I like superheroes but lately I have been quite fed up with them, especially those on the CW. However, when I saw the trailer for the show on Netflix, I was surprised by the fresh aspect of the show and decided to give it a try. I want to say that they could not possibly have picked a better cast. Cress Williams is absolutely amazing as Jefferson Pierce, he is very charismatic and is a great lead figure for the show. He is an energetic person and that allows him to bring in his wake all the strength both the show and the embodiment of the character required. Over the first episodes, we get to discover more about each character’s personalities and especially the three leading ladies -China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams and Christine Adams- who gave me such a wide span of feelings, I was literally shook. I really like this cast, I think they are very believable and we feel that they care about one another, like a real family would do.

They as well casted Marvin “Krondon” Jones III as Tobias Whale. Both are African American albinos so they remained faithful to the comics description of that part. Krondon’s portrayal is really enforcing the frightening aspect of the character and this gives depth to the story as well. Indeed, Whale -who hates Pierce and his father- is trying to take over the town and destroy Pierce and his reputation. He is resentful because Pierce’s father destroyed Whale’s career, his reputation and also because Pierce inherited the popularity Whale used to have. However, I believe that there may be another reason enforcing this hatred yet it might be a little far-fetched. I am talking about their skin’s color. Even if Whale’s -and Krondon’s- faces have African American features, the fact that they are albinos have them presenting pale skin and light hair and this might make Whale feel that people do not consider him as much of a Black person as they would if he was not albino. Yes I  had told you it was far-fetched but this could be an hypothesis as to why he wishes even more than to destroy Pierce, he wants to obliterate him, his family, his reputation and his influence on the people of Freeland.

Moreover, and this we know in the first minutes of the first episode so it is not a real spoiler, the show features amongst its main characters a black lesbian militant who dares to fight for what she believes in and tries to help her community by defying what those closest to her tell her what she should do. Nafessa Williams -the actress who plays this part- said about her character : “ I'm just really grateful to tell the story for young lesbians — and black lesbians in particular ... My hope is that when you watch Anissa, a young lesbian is inspired to walk boldly as who she is and to love herself and to love herself exactly how she looks.”. Nafessa Williams makes a great performance as a woman, a daughter, a sister but more than that as a fighter. She brings a strong figure to the show as well as a support to those seek it. I cannot wait to see what will become of her and of her sister – China Anne McClain’s character.

The show also focuses a lot on gun violence and drugs. An important part of the plot, the reason which makes Pierce get back into his old suit is to protect his town -and his family- from a gang, named the 100, that is destructing the city and its citizens through violence and drugs. I do not want to spoil the show so I will just say that episode after episode we see how easily these two things can destroy many lives. Yet the “bad guys” are not the only one to use violence to survive. The heroes of the show and their superpowers are also violent but under the pretext that they are trying to bring justice to Freeland, many consider that it is justified when it shouldn’t always.

The last aspect I briefly wanted to talk about is the music. Kurt Farquhar -who is in charge of the soundtrack of the show- is doing a great job as far as I am concerned. Indeed, the soundtrack is for the main part composed of urban music which reinforces not only the rebellious gang aspect of the show but it also accentuate the violence of the fighting scenes. It implements a certain energetic strength to the progression of the storyline as well as to the evolution of the characters’ depth. Here you can check it out : Black Lightning Soundtrack.

Here you have it folks, my article as to why and how Black Lightning quickly became one of my favorite and also a revolutionary one in some respect. I hope you will try the show and as always, let me know what you think about it!

Take care,

Kisses,

Eli.

Krondon flexing his piano skills, man he’s GOOD

365 Marvel Villain paper cut-outs - one villain, every day, all year.

May 29th - Tombstone

Lonnie ‘Tombstone’ Lincoln grew up in a rough part of Harlem where he was he was bullied mercilessly by his peers over his albinism.  He grew much bigger and stronger over the years and quickly turned the tables on his peers, extorting protection fees over many of the kids in his neighborhood.  He matriculated from petty racketeering to becoming a hitman for the mob.  Lincoln had his teeth filed down into fangs and this, coupled with his imposing frame and chalk white skin, made him a rather terrifying figure among the criminal underground.  His lethality as a hitman earned him the nickname ‘Tombstone.’  He later became an assassin for The Kingpin and had many run-ins with Spider-Men, as well as battles against Daredevil, The Punisher and Luke Cage.  Sometime thereafter, Tombstone gained super strength and heightened durability as a result of exposure to an experimental compound created by Norman Osborn.  This made him an even deadlier foe and Tombstone eventually gained the position of underboss over the Harlem Neighborhood of Manhattan.  At some point, Tombstone had an affair and fathered a daughter who would go on to become the villainess currently occupying he mantle of The Beetle.  Tombstone’s control over Harlem was later threatened by two rival gangs, one led by The Black Cat and another by Alex Wilder.  Tombstone was able to fend off these usurpers and maintain control over Harlem with the begrudging aide of Power Man and Iron Fist.  Tombstone featured in the animated movie, Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse, voiced by actor and rapper Marvin 'Krondon' Jones III.  The Villain first appeared in the pages of The Web of Spider-Man Vol. 1 #36.