Summary
Netflix’s thrilling new superhero seriesSupacellis a unique and interesting twist on the genre – but is it an original story or is it based on a comic book?Supacellis the brainchild of British hip-hop artist Rapman, who serves as the showrunner, creator, writer, and head director on the series. The story revolves around a group of seemingly regular South Londoners, each with a family history of sickle cell disease, who gain superpowers and work together to fight back against the secret organization that wants to control them.
TheSupacellcastis led by Tosin Cole, Adelayo Adedayo, Yasmin Monet Prince, and Eddie Marsan, andDreaming Whilst Black’s Sebastian Thiel co-directed the series with Rapman.Supacellis a fresh and fascinating take on the tropes and conventions of superhero stories, mixing social commentary on race into its comic book spectacle. Most superhero movies and TV shows are based on a long-running comic book series. IsSupacella comic book adaptation or an original creation?
Supacell Is Not Based On A Comic Book
Supacell isn’t based on any particular comic book
Supacellis an original creation; it isn’t based on any particular comic book. Much likeM. Night Shyamalan’sUnbreakableor James Gunn’sSuper, it follows the traditions of superhero comics, but it’s not actually an adaptation of one.Rapman created the series from scratchand wrote all six episodes. This isn’t the norm for American TV shows, which usually utilize a writers’ room to pad out much longer seasons, but it is typical for a six-episode British TV production to follow the singular vision of one writer.
Supacell Is An Original Story From Rapman (But Is Inspired By Other Superhero Movies & Shows)
Rapman drew influence from the long history of superhero stories
WhileSupacellis an original creation and not a specific adaptation of any comic book series,it does owe a creative debt to the long history of superhero stories on film and TV. The way thatSupacellgrounds its superhero narrative in a familiar reality can be tied back to the semi-realistic superhero stories of shows likeHeroesandMisfits. The concept of presenting superhero tropes as realistically as possible can also be traced back toUnbreakable’s groundbreaking deconstruction of the genre.
But the biggest influence on the series isn’t any particular movie or TV show from the superhero genre, but rather its South London setting. The most unique thing thatSupacellbrings to the superhero genre is planting its characters and conventions on the streets of South London. It takes place across Brixton, Camberwell, Lewisham, and Peckham;Supacellis as much of a love letter to South London as it is a love letter to the superhero genre.
Supacell
Cast
Supacell is a British superhero drama series that follows a group of ordinary Black Londoners who suddenly develop superpowers. The series explores the impact of their newfound abilities on their personal lives and the broader societal implications. Supacell blends action with social commentary, highlighting themes of empowerment and responsibility.
