Can you imagine how embarrassing it is to ask your LCS if they carry Space Negro: The Last Negro by Jared Sams?  I visited all four of my local shops in hopes of finding a copy without having to ask white shop owners if they have “that new ‘negro’ book.”

For starters, I’d like to commend the writer and artist Jared Sam’s for attempting to bring levity and humor into the Black comic book space.  I believe more adult humor in Black comics could be a game changer.

Unfortunately, as an old head, I’m having a hard time getting past the cringiness of the title along with the colloquial use of the n-word to really enjoy this series.

Space Negro opens with Supernova Watkins waking from a cryogenic sleep in the distant future to find out he’s buck naked and the sole surviving member of the human race.

He’s anointed  as the Universe’s champion by the actual “living universe” to which he responds:  “Can a nigga stop free-ballin out here and get some pants.”

Thus the comedic formula of Space Negro is set; Jared introduces large, life changing challenges for our hero all of which ends with healthy doses of “n-word” jokes.

Old and Busted

To be fair, If I’d stop being such an old fuddy duddy I’d recognize the underlining commentary Jared is trying to lay down with the introduction of characters like Clementine and J’leel J’nkins.  I’d also appreciate his spectacular two-page spreads and amazing action sequences as well.

The problem is satire as a genre sets the bar so high that when you miss the mark, as this series often does, it leaves you vulnerable to old farts like myself bemoaning the use of the n-word and the fact that the word NEGRO is emblazoned on the cover.

Hollywood Hustle

Now purely from a Black collector’s standpoint, you may want to swallow your pride like I did and get your hands on this book. Simply because everything that turns me and my ilk off about Space Negro just might grab the attention of folks with no familiarity with the medium but are looking for a book to build a franchise around similar to The Boys or Boondocks.

To prove my point, 50 Cent’s G-Unit production company has optioned comics such as Trill League and Lady Danger: Agent of B.O.O.T.I. . Two titles, like Space Negro, that exist on the fringes of comic book culture. 

In fact, this series reads as if it was written for the likes of Marlon Wayans.  There’s even a joke in issue 1 about it.

So maybe this was the play all along — come out with a super cringy comic that offends “woke” comic book purists to the point it gains the attention of a Hollywood gatekeeper and Jared Sams becomes the next Aaron Magruder.

This diabolical stunt just might work and I’d hate to be the one to say that, “I told you so.”