Yes, I do realize this blog is about “Comics and the Graphic Novel”. And yes, I also realize that Red Dead Redemption II is a video game. But I feel video games and comics go hand-in-hand. I also just really wanted to write about this topic. If you have a problem with that, then this blog ain’t big enough for the both of us, partner.

To start out with, let me tell you what Red Dead Redemption II does wrong: not much. I must admit the movement and physics feel a bit outdated and clunky, as if Rockstar has been using the same game engine with very few changes or improvements for the past decade. Moving your character and his horse around can feel a bit stiff and lead to frustration at times. Another complaint involving the gameplay is that there are stretches that feel like you’re just moving from shooting gallery to shooting gallery, taking cover and firing at one gang of outlaws after another. As I type this out, I realize that the two gameplay complaints are a pretty big deal, but I am still blinded by my love for this game. One final complaint involves the fact that you can’t ride a buffalo. This has been a dream of mine ever since I watched the video below. While it may not likely happen in the real world, Red Dead is one of the few video game franchises that can potentially offer this option.

Now that we’ve covered the bad and the ugly, let’s get to the good. Red Dead Redemption II is more than just a video game. It’s a video game with a storyline so beautifully written, it could (and should) be a movie. Critically acclaimed western movies have made their way back to the big screen in the past few decades, but all pale in comparison to the plot of this game. There are numerous twists and turns with betrayal around every corner, so you’d better saddle up for this bucking bronco. You will cry tears the size of Texas before finishing the main story. Even though he’s a classic cowboy tough guy, you gradually become connected to the main character Arthur Morgan. You also form a bond with the horses you ride, with each one starting out as a wild stallion and being groomed into a noble steed. The soundtrack is breathtaking and very fitting for the setting. There is a surprise musical appearance from D’Angelo which was completely unexpected, but trust me, it works. Aside from the main story, the world is huge with plenty of side missions and easter eggs for hours upon hours of gameplay.

This game came out at the perfect time for me. I caught a cold that turned into a nasty flu that lasted over a month. I struggled making it to class and work every day. But when I got back to my dorm, I had Red Dead to look forward to. (Spoilers Ahead) About halfway through the game, Arthur gets tuberculosis. I found his symptoms to be oddly relatable, and as my dry cough worsened, I wondered if I had something more than just the flu. As Arthur and I hacked up our lungs through the game, it became clear there wasn’t going to be a fairy tale ending in the unforgiving west. My condition started to gradually improve while Arthur’s worsened. I hoped that he would never yee his last haw, but time was hot on the heels of his boots. You choose Arthur’s final actions, either selfish or selfless, but both end in his demise. Red Dead Redemption II does have its flaws when it comes to gameplay, but it has been quite some time since a video game’s story made me feel how I did at the end of this epic western. For that, Red Dead gets 10 out 0f 10 yee-haws.

We have come a long way when it comes to diversity in superhero films, but we still have a long way to go. Characters who were originally drawn as white in classic comics have been portrayed by people of color without much opposition in recent years. Nick Fury being portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson in the current Marvel Cinematic Universe is an excellent example of this. But many fans today would still be opposed to having a non-white portrayal of an iconic headliner such as Batman or Superman. Why is this?

The Golden Age of Comic Books (1938-1950) happened before the civil rights movement (1954-1968). This means that while we were seeing our first versions of Batman and Superman, segregation was still a thing. Needless to say, superheroes during this era were white. Despite this fact, nothing in their origin stories suggest that current versions have to be. Let me clarify. The first black superhero to appear in comics (1966) was Black Panther. His African heritage is central to his narrative. Having someone who isn’t black portray him wouldn’t make sense. In contrast, there are no such cultural aspects written into the storylines of Batman or Superman. Superman is Kryptonian, not white. The main details of Batman’s origin story are that he’s rich, afraid of bats, and that his parents were murdered. Not that he’s white.

While Aquaman is usually portrayed as a blonde-haired white man, he is currently being portrayed by an individual of multiracial descent. Jason Momoa has proven that the struggling DC Cinematic Universe made the right decision in going with a non-traditional portrayal of Aquaman, with the film becoming a tremendous box office success. Another casting selection that DC got right is that of Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot caught some initial fan criticism for being “too slim,” but she proved these critics wrong with her wonderful performance (pun intended). Hugh Jackman isn’t Canadian, and he’s way too tall (6’2″ as opposed to 5’3″) to play a “comic book accurate” version of Wolverine. But you’d have a tough time convincing any fan that he isn’t the perfect incarnation of Logan. These examples prove that while the physical appearance of actors and actresses in superhero films may have some importance, what really wins fans over is their actual performance.

As you can see, there has been a definite increase in diversity in recent superhero movies, albeit initially in supporting roles. And it has been proven that an actor or actress who may not appear identical to the comic version of a superhero can still convincingly play that character, even to the point that you picture them in your mind when you hear that hero’s name. So why is it that so many are opposed to a person of color playing an a-list hero such as Batman or Superman? Maybe it’s because we’re so used to them being portrayed as white. Maybe it’s time that changed. The world is ready for a black Batman.