We sat down with David Harewood during DC in DC 2018 to talk about this season of Supergirl and inclusion in comics/media entertainment.
Entertainment and politics have always been interesting bedfellows, so it shouldn’t surprise is that Warner Bros. Television Group and DC Entertainment came to Washington DC for their pop cultural event DC in DC 2018. Stars and producers from Warner Bros. Television’s DCTV series, DC Entertainment comic book writers and artists were joined by invited guests from politics, government service, entertainment, business, academia and more.
Of course Washington DC, as the political capital, was a great location for this event. But as “Chocolate City”, DC during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, was the perfect backdrop for these discussions about the intersection of comic books, culture, entertainment, and public service, particularly as it relates to identity and current issues in American politics and society.
Panels took place at the Newseum, and included: “The Art of the Matter: From Sketch to Screen”, “The Many Shades of Heroism: DC Heroes Through the African-American Lens”, “Wonder Women”, “The Pride of DC: The Art of LGBTQ Inclusion”, and “The Aftermath: Battle & Trauma in Comics”. The cherry on top was the world premiere screening of the new DCTV series Black Lightning, based on the first African-American DC Superhero to have his own stand-alone comic title!
We So Nerdy had a chance to attend DC in DC 2018, and I can attest to how edifying the weekend was. This is such a watershed moment in terms of representation, inclusion, and equity in entertainment and beyond. It was an honor to be able to talk to talent, creators, and fellow fangirls/fanboys about what it means to them to be part of these conversations and progress.
We sat down with Supergirl‘s David Harewood (J’onn J’onzz) who, as a Black Englishman, felt particularly honored to be part of this DC in DC weekend. Harewood talked about how much he enjoyed working with Carl Lumbly this season, who played J’onn’s father. He also talked about what it meant to play the Martian Manhunter, a hero who has experienced injustice elsewhere, and deliberately chooses to take the human form of an African-American because he wants to be on the side of those fighting for justice and civil rights. Harewood speaks a little bit about playing Cyborg Superman and wanting to delve deeper into character. Finally, he also shares his hopes for English media entertainment and expanded, authoritative roles for Black actors.
Watch the full interview here:
For more, make sure to check out our DCTV weekly roundtables. You can also watch the full DC in DC 2018 slate of panels HERE.