A. Baraka Scott: Waiting For Black Superman

“What does it mean to be mighty in a time where everybody needs a hero?” TocoLu Studios & GADA Enterprise proudly presents The Majestics — an action-adventure franchise about a hip superhero family. This isn’t No Ordinary Family as Asha, Henry, and Stanley Crenshaw’s life purpose is changed and evolved after losing their family in a suspicious explosion during their family reunion. The Majestics is the brainchild of A. Baraka Scott and Danielle L. Williams who mix superhero folklore with Kemetic science for an intriguing tale fueled by tragedy, redemption, mystery and revenge. Mr. Scott sits down with The Well Versed to talk about the comic’s origins, edutaining audiences, the New York Comic-Con, and who would win in a royal rumble versus some of your favorite animated action heroes.

The Well Versed: You and your crew have came up with an idea at a time where creativity is appreciated. Talk about how The Majestics came to be and describe the pros and cons of creating art in today’s entertainment climate.

A. Baraka Scott: I have been writing since middle school. I consider myself, first and foremost, a writer. The Majestics project started out as some character sketches based on my son, Langston, my niece Sanaa, and my nephew, Geddes. My writing parter, Danielle L. Williams, and I immersed ourselves deeper into developing the story, and we realized that we could explore multiple story lines with different mediums. The comic-book was the first to manifest for the public. Right now is a very good time for artists. The economy is in the middle of a correction, the cream is rising to the top, and halfhearted efforts are being dealt with accordingly.

The web series is going to launch in Winter of 2011 and we are quite pleased with that platform. You can check out bite-sized animated episodes in serial format with cliff-hangers. I don’t try to define art in the sense of this is real art and that is trash I think an artist should take their craft seriously. Be a student of the game. I also recognize that this is a capitalist society, baby needs a new pair of shoes, so it is incumbent on the artist to deliver a product that generates dollars so that it makes sense to create more art.

TWV: You guys had a successful Comic-Con experience this year. What did that mean to you as a creator?

ABS: It was really great to see the positive response to our hard work. We create for the people so their love was the only confirmation we needed. It’s one thing to think you are on the right track; it’s another to get the stamp of approval from your audience on one of the biggest stages in the industry. I believe that audiences can relate to our themes because we start with universal ones as a foundation. These are things that everyone can relate to like family, love, struggle, revenge, and power. We also like adding our own seasoning to the mix, so combining multi-national corporate intrigue, and new world technology with metaphysics, Kemetic science, and the dark arts is our special blend. Starting with the core principles though and always return to the source. Good storytelling resonates across time because people relate… always.

TWV: Entertainment seems to be the main course for African-Americans in the U.S. How does Tocolu Studios and The Majestics seek to help to educate, as well as entertain, your audiences?

ABS: The Majestics were crafted with education in mind. We are developing workbooks based on the comic-book in addition to an educational reader which draws from the mythology created by the franchise. We are focused on two main components with our education initiative — academics and deportment. It’s not about just building up the mind of the youth, but edifying their spirit through knowledge of self and high self-esteem.

TWV: If Mr. Blackstone and Brain teamed up with The Boondock’s Huey and Riley for an Afro Samurai-styled royal rumble for the number one headband versus the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — who would win?

ABS: [Laughs] Huey and Riley are good dudes. We look at them as cool little brothers. But in the end it’d be no contest. The god win every time. [Laughs] You’ve ever had turtle soup? It’s delish!

TWV: Talk about the process of breaking through the glass ceiling in the comic-book world to be known more than just an urban series.

ABS: We don’t allow people to place us in a box. The first two kids that bought comic books at this year’s New York Comic-Con were European-American and they were ecstatic. We view ourselves as writer’s for the world audience. If someone cannot see past the skin tone of one of our heroes/heroines then that is their sickness. We roll over the myopia of small-minded people with a big truck!

TWV: With all these comic-book-to-film adaptations making a splash — from The Walking Dead to Marvel’s big Avengers push — how do you see the medium changing in the next few years?

ABS: Honestly, this is a multimedia world and effective mass communication requires an ability to go from the page to the small screen to the big screen and back with skill and grace. Everyone is looking for the long-term innovation that renders big returns with the fans. We have studied the industry for the past four years before launching The Majestics and crafted our offering with an eye to entertaining and educating the audience while serving the multimedia platform needs of the industry. The Majestics is next level and folks are already playing catch-up…

Wanna know more about The Mighty Majestics? Check them out at their website by clicking here!