I knew that I wanted to write something regarding the untimely loss about Chadwick Boseman, but the struggle came in the form of figuring out what to contribute that hasn’t already been said. After a while though, for me, it ultimately came down to the exploration of actors who died well before their time, and are forever commemorated for their storytelling in the more significant roles they played.
Sometimes, it’s to the point where they’re remembered better for who they played than who they were in the real world. While that’s not always the wisest way to remember the actor, it simultaneously can be momentous. In Chadwick’s case, while he has played multiple roles ranging from Jackie Robinson to James Brown, he’ll probably be forever best known as T’Challa a.k.a. the Black Panther. The fact that he was a genuinely a good person in the real world is, without a doubt, a large part of what made his performance as the character so resonating.
That’s what brings me to this latest Recommended Analyzing piece. Earlier this week, this comic from artist Courtney Lovett appeared in my social media feed. It’s emotionally impactful as it hits up on a lot of notes. It shows the shock and sorrow over a life gone too soon, the loss of the first superhero that many young Black children could see themselves in, how he will be remembered as the man who brought the Black Panther to the big screen, and as T’Challa once said, how death is a stepping-off point.
It’s a short but beautiful comic that Lovett put together. Please give it a look and check out her website to learn more about her and her work. May you find comfort in your memories of Chadwick Boseman, and I hope that “Black Panther” serves as a guiding light in the midst of darkness.
Lola By The Bay 