THE BOONDOCKS: The Revolution, Televised.

Adult animation acts as one of the most adaptable forms of expression offered to a widespread audience. It can be horrifically candid, introspectively mature or irreverently controversial. Many series fail to tow the line between respectable messaging for an older demographic while not misusing the comical liberties offered through the creativity of animation. It has become almost common to see shows pride themselves more on shock value and edgy material to sway their audience rather than offering depthful substance beneath the jokes that convey something of our current world. Among the assortment of long since abandoned shows shines a series that left its mark on the subconscious of the most critical racial barrier within America. Never shying away from topics, viewpoints and opinions that radiate through social discord years past the series’ conclusion. A rebellious take on all things from identity to ignorance, and most essential, it brought the revolution to your home screen. It's TheBoondocks

Before the iconic line deliveries and racial hilarity, The Boondocksstarted in 1996 as a comic strip published by series creator Aaron McGruder for the University of Maryland student newspaper theDiamondback. The series saw a familiar set up of two black siblings, Huey (named after Black Panther Leader Huey P. Newton) and Riley, as they move from the streets of Chicago to the suburbs to live with their grandfather. The two siblings reflected opposing mentalities with Huey as the socially conscious stoic counter to Riley’s flamboyant ignorance stemming from popularized black media.

The series proved to be a remarkable success and was published in over 200 publications within the first six months. The topical nature of the strips were edgy and daring while also having a humorous relatability to modern events. Its outspoken themes were hidden beneath the rapturous comedy allowing the impact of the topics to sit with the reader longer Soon after McGruder would begin pushing to turn the strip into its own television series. While the comic strip achieved original success and continued to run unhindered within newspapers nationwide, the series pitch to networks was arduous to say the least. The profane, hot topic nature of the series was a difficult sell to most major broadcasting networks who failed to see the merits of taking such risks on a controversial series. Amid the provocative language lied greater discussions that mainstream America would have difficulties facing so abrasively. Even personnel such as Reginald Hudlin, President of Entertainment for BET, left his involvement after Fox declined to give the show a chance.

Desperately searching for a home to broadcast his art, McGruder would find the perfect connection in 2005 with Mike Lazzo, President of Adult Swim, who ordered a 15 episode season. Lazzo’s orders were plain and profound, “just tell stories.”

And tell stories McGruder certainly achieved in doing. The Boondocksstood as a cultural flash forward in all the modern normalities of African American culture we even observe today. Its ability to unapologetically voice the thoughts and beliefs of the black experience in America was one of a kind. Within the first minute of premiering, in only a way TheBoondockscan get away with, the series hit viewer’s screens proclaiming:

It is also impossible to mention the series without discussing its iconic voice cast. Regina King voiced the always opposing siblings Huey and Riley, putting in one of if not the most iconic performances of her career. The late great John Witherspoon voiced the irresponsible but lovable Robert Freeman better known as Grandad. And Gary Anthony Williams most iconically played the ferociously racist handyman called Uncle Ruckus.

TheBoondocks’take on topical events was always enlightening and serves as a time capsule for the African American conscious as well as the entirety of America at the time. R. Kelly’s trial, Obama’s election, the after effects of Hurricane Katrina all became milestone discussion points during the show’s airing that help get an idea of what ways of thinking were held at that time. In a current culture deliberately rampant with free speech through various platforms, its eye opening to hear such thought provoking observations on topics that would eventually rear their head again. And with each recycling of old issues, TheBoondocks offers a dated take that nearly fits in perfectly with our now modern understanding of how we observe things.

This was only the beginning of what would become an iconic run of radicalized black conspiracist rhetoric based on real historical events contrasted with the laugh-inducing storylines always linked with pop culture. The series truly perfected the art of playing both sides.

As far as actual series production, the style of the show took a heavy anime art style with the action themes and character designs. Heavy inspirations from works like Afro Samurai and 20th century martial arts films clearly played a large role on the look of the show. But the tone was more that of Charlie Brown wherein jazz and lofi instrumentals were used to capture quiet thought provoking moments of the show. Between the comedy, characters were offered several moments of deep reflection and series composers like Asheru and Metaphor the Great did a spectacular job providing somber chords to capture emotional scenes while still able to offer lyrically captivating tracks when needed.

Arguably the most notable and controversial episodes being the season 1 episode titled “The Return Of the King '' wherein Martin Luther King Jr. awakens from a gunshot induced coma to witness what has become of the black struggle in his absence. Only to find a culture glorifying the cruelty, ignorance and foolery he fought against, amounting to him even calling the current generation “a bunch of niggas.” This episode was harshly critiqued causing a divisive audience, with figures such as Jesse Jackson even demanding an apology. But within the absurdity was a well informed take on what would those leaders who fought so brashly for our freedoms think on how we’re using it. More important than the delivery of certain answers was the series’ knack for asking earnestly compelling questions. The episode would go on to win a Peabody Award for being “especially daring.”

From berating BET for the “black-xploitation” of the African American populace to ridiculing the often predictable and questionable writing chops of Tyler Perry, The Boondockswas able to stick around for more than just shock value but because people were eager to hear what discussions needed to be had next. The series concluded in 2014 following a lukewarm fourth season that aired without the involvement of McGruder. The revived fifth season has been in production purgatory for nearly half a decade without any true signs of its return. But even without confirmation on the show’s future, no one can debate the cult status the show was able to accrue among all demographics throughout its run.

TheBoondocks accomplished what many shows fail to do in that it had something to say to its community and because of this the listeners took it seriously. It subconsciously educated many on the black plight while highlighting the aspects of our culture which are objectively cool. Viewers