Fantastic Four: A Black Johnny Storm ⋆ The Flow Check

Fantastic Four: A Black Johnny Storm

Today 20th Century Fox released the teaser trailer for Fantastic Four. From what I saw, the reboot looks OK. But, there seems to be an issue with some people.

Comic book fans are in an uproar because Johnny Storm (The Human Torch) is being played by Michael B. Jordan. Yep, a Black dude. The Human Torch is White in the comics, so some fans think this will shatter the space time continuum. I’m not sure how much of the hate is racist, and how much of it is just people wanting comic book movies to follow the lore.

I have no problem with diversity. Being a Black man myself, it makes me smile. If studios want “more color” in their movies, then I’m not going to protest them for it. It brings in another demographic. Which makes more money. I get it. If fans don’t like it, then there’s something they can do besides boycotting.

Yes, Johnny Storm is now Black. But, lets not forget the bigger issue. The main problem is Marvel’s (DC Comics is guilty of this as well) refusal to make cool original Black superheroes. Or actually make the Black superheroes they have, more popular. Bishop, Blue Marvel, Spectrum, Night Thrasher, Brother Voodoo, Manifold and Cloak are some superheroes that should be pushed if Marvel doesn’t want to make new characters. That makes more sense than changing the race of the superhero.

If this were done, we would get more diversity, and the movies would stay true to the source. Everyone would be happy! Except for the racists. Oh, and if Marvel Studios needs someone to play Blue Marvel, I’m available (I’m 6’5″ IMDB). Someone get Kevin Grevioux on the phone 🙂