Legend of the Mantamaji Review

Writer: Eric Dean Seaton / Artist: Brandon Palas Being a comic book reviewer at a high-class joint like Black Nerd Problems means random, amazing things fall into one’s lap. Such was the case for me with Legend of the Mantamaji, a new graphic novel project from Eric Dean Seaton and Brandon Palas. Eric Dean Seaton is known as a sitcom director, and he definitely brings that sense of pacing to his writing. Legend of the Mantamaji is consciously Seaton designing a Black superhero with the strength of Superman and the angst of Batman, complete with the all-powerful father who makes the ultimate sacrifice to defeat the ultimate evil and the sainted mother killed defending their only son, the last descendant of a supreme race — that’s who the Mantamaji are, the protector race of this little mess we call humanity. This is a modern fairytale and the first volume that is out now, comprising the first 6 chapters, introduces you to all of it in fast, colorful style. I should also mention he has the sarcasm of Tony Stark. Our hero is Elijah Alexander, a bald, Black, Assistant District Attorney in NYC, who is about to either be promoted to DA or become a top attorney at a city law firm. He’s so charming and talented he can have his pick. His girlfriend, Sydney Spencer, is a detective in the police department, tasked with investigating an unusual weapons smuggling ring. She’s as good looking as he is and perhaps a little quicker on the uptake. She’s also a mean shot with a pistol. She is, …