M.A.N.T.I.S.

M.A.N.T.I.S. may not be the best superhero show, but the show made history by being the first drama featuring an African American superhero as the lead (along with a predominantly African American cast). I really enjoyed the show. I liked seeing someone who looked like me on a action/drama as the primary character and as a superhero because it's rare that I get that opportunity. Unfortunately, the show was axed long before it had a chance to really get started. M.A.N.T.I.S. will be missed.

While "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," the camp classic 60's "Batman," or even currently airing "Smallville," most shows based on the exploits of superheroes have short television careers. If the show adapted from the teleflck, "M.A.N.T.I.S" had been just as good, it may have lasted more than a few episodes.

"M.A.N.T.I.S" introduces the world to "Dr. Miles Hawkins" (Carl Lumbly), a brilliant yet paraplegic scientist that, through the aid of special prosthetics and electronic equipment, becomes a "maker of right" in the constant fight against evil. In the pilot movie, Dr. Hawkins battles municipal corruption and drives one of the coolest cars in TV history: a 70's model Oldsmobile that converts to an airborne vehicle.

Besides Lumbly's believable acting, the movie also sports some decent effects, along with an exciting score, reminiscent of "V" the miniseries and Bernard Herrmann's work on "North by Northwest".

(revised) Dr. Miles Hawkins, aka "the Mantis" is definitely the first and most positive black superhero male role model character ever written in the world of sci-fi... and thus, quite predictably, it was canceled by the Fox network,(on which it originally premiered), before very many episodes could be written.

The Sci-Fi cable-TV channel then picked it up for about a year before it disappeared into the ether of black TV history.

Having led a small campaign to persuade Fox to make this movie into a TV series, it was a heartbreak to see such a fine program fall so short, but the audience doesn't like black male role models to be be positive. Because while MANTIS failed, sitcoms such as "Martin" soared in the ratings with black audiences, even though Martin Lawrence presented a role model that was no better than that of "Amos and Andy", and so many other stereotypical images that are scorned so strongly be liberal black critics.

So with a role model as positive as the image of MANTIS, a black crippled man who by his own genius and determination became a self-made millionaire and an self-made super-hero, why did MANTIS fail? Because Miles Hawkins was also the positive portrayal of a black Christian moral-conservative. THAT'S why!

Sadly, if there is one thing Hollywood liberals detest and most wish to demonize and eradicate it is us black folks who are Christian moral-conservatives. But they never seem to mind representing us as thugs, criminals and anything opposite of good and decent.

So once again the liberals who sell our youth out,(both in Hollywood and the NAACP), win again and in doing so, we black folks, as a whole, lose again. One small loss for MANTIS, one huge loss for the minds of young black viewers who so badly need such positive male role models as MANTIS presented.

Well, at least we still have some great people to look up to in REAL life, such as former Presidential candidate Dr. Alan Keyes and Dr. Bill Cosby and a few others,(for now), bless them for the courage to stand up for good morals and decency, against the vast majority who choose the ignoble path instead!

without even thinking. Americans have issued an all white superhero rule. however mantis didn't abide by that rule. i think it's great. mantis was one of those show that had the hypnotic trance in it .it should come back and believe you me .it will get the audience it needs for mantis is a miraculous turn around for Hollywood producers or networks. beautifully orchestrated.one of the things that made mantis a masterpiece is that the cover up of the identities.think about all the superheroes you know. all of them no doubt has a startling resemblance to their normal counterpart but mantis however Dr. miles was on a wheel chair with a critical disease that prohibits him to walk. the mantis however walks and runs just like any other person. the mantis secret hideout is far away from Dr. miles public house so no one guessed that the two exist in the same body

M.A.N.T.I.S. probably made TV history by being the first black super hero on prime-time TV that represented a positive role model. This show really should have been given a chance. Unfortunately, like many a black program, the show was cut way before its time. I admit the suit needs some work, but the overall concept of the show was great. How often do we see an successful African American man carrying a show and being a positive role model? Answer: rarely!!!!! I can only hope that changes will be made among the Big 4 networks. These networks are obviously in need of more ethnically-aware individuals who can make decisions about what shows get aired and how people of color are portrayed (positive & culturally valid). Maybe they'll give some of the great shows the opportunity they deserve to shine.