My ScrapbookThe Shaft Comic Strip(Ernest Tidyman Productions, 1972) Can you dig it? Flush with the success of the Shaft novels and particularly the 1971 film, creator Ernest Tidyman commissioned veteran comic book artist Don Rico to develop a presentation package to shop around a Shaft comic strip. While their efforts went unsold, there’s no doubt … Continue reading My Scrapbook: The Shaft Comic Strip
Tag: Blaxploitation
Mr. T (Trouble Man)
Created by John D.F. Black(1932-2018) “I come up hard baby, but now I’m cool,I didn’t make it sugar, playin’ by the rulesI come up hard baby, but now I’m fineI’m checkin’ trouble sugar, movin’ down the line.”— from Trouble Man by Marvin Gaye No, I’m not talking about that jewelery-bedecked buffoon with the mohawk from the … Continue reading Mr. T (Trouble Man)
Sheba Shayne (Sheba, Baby)
Created by William Girdler and David Sheldon "Whatchu gonna do with that gun, mama?" Who's the queen of the private dicks that digs like a sex machine with all the boys? Sheba! Uh, damn right? In Sheba, Baby, the 1975 blaxploitation would-be classic that does a sex-change on Shaft, Pam Grier finally gets to let … Continue reading Sheba Shayne (Sheba, Baby)
Richard Abraham Spade (aka “Superspade”)
Created by B. B. Johnson Pseudonym of Joe Greene (1915-86) Here's another fellow who is not technically a private eye, but I swear this cat could give John Shaft a run for his money. Can you dig it? RICHARD ABRAHAM SPADE was a strapping 240-pound fellow who went from the ghetto to UCLA, where he made … Continue reading Richard Abraham Spade (aka “Superspade”)
Talkin’ ’bout Ernest Tidyman– Can You Dig It?
A Son Remembers I can say with some assurance that my father (Ernest Tidyman) had no exploitative intent. He wanted his writing to be successful, sure, but he never intended to cash in on “black," per se. He just thought that it was time for a black hero, and he knew he could create a … Continue reading Talkin’ ’bout Ernest Tidyman– Can You Dig It?
John Shaft
Created by Ernest Tidyman (1928-84) Who is the man Who would risk his neck for his brother man? SHAFT! Who's the cat who won't cop out When there's danger all about? SHAFT! He's a complicated man And no one understands him like his woman JOHN SHAFT You say this cat Shaft is a mean mother- … Continue reading John Shaft