Interracial team-ups are a staple of pop culture. These pairs spawn popular phrases like “I’m getting too old for this shit…” and “Sweet Christmas.” You know, those things people say daily.
Rigs and Murtaugh – Lethal Weapon
The original dynamic duo. Rigs and Murtaugh paved the way for deep partner bonding. Being a crazy ex-sniper didn’t prevent Rigs from joining the straight-laced Murtaugh family. By the end of the first Lethal Weapon, the two shared a disgusting Christmas dinner together, like a family. Along the way, they caused much havoc, defied the laws of gravity, and Rigs busted up his shoulder a bunch.
The most recent reboot with Damon Waynes, Clayne Crawford, and Sean WIlliams Scott was a serviceable tribute, but the bond between the new Rigs and Murtaugh was never as strong as the original. They Fought Jet Li together. Can’t manufacture a better brotherhood than that.
Power Man and Iron Fist
The Immortal Iron Fist and Power Man are the freelance superheroes you have all come to know and love. While their Netflix series may have been axed, their bond can’t be broken. These Heroes for Hire are as close as brothers. So much so that Luke named his daughter after Danny, they fight side by side in the comics and their former shows, complementing each other’s styles and making money in the process. If you are interested in their ongoing adventures, pick up the most recent Power Man and Iron Fist books or grab the old compendiums from the 70’s.
Daughters of the Dragon
The saddest part of the Iron Fist and Luke Cage cancellations is we miss out on the budding partnership of Colleen Wing and Misty Knight. Known in the comics as the Daughters of the Dragon, this private investigation team is one to love. Their on-screen partnership was dripping with chemistry, due mostly to the amazing performances from Simone Missick and Jessica Henwick. The seeds were being planted for these two to become the dragon duo, but alas, it seems to be no more. Hopefully, Disney sees their potential and green-lights their own team-up series.
Adonis Creed and Rocky – Creed
The Rocky franchise is a piece of history. As the series progressed to watching an elderly Sylvester Stallone box a much younger Antonio Tarver, people knew it was time to call it quits. That is until Rocky took Adonis Creed under his wing and revitalized the Rocky franchise.
The father-son bond between Adonis and Rocky is fun to watch. Their family bond is a treat to watch unfold. The Creed films are retelling the story of Rocky through the lens of Apollo’s son. The history of the Rocky characters adds new emotional weight to a well-worn plot. Micahel B. Jordan and Stallone play off each other well and help elevate Creed and Rocky to a formidable team.
Stigs and Bobby – 2 Guns
A better Lethal Weapon reboot would be 2013’s 2 Guns. The team of Washington and Wahlberg as Bobby and Stigs, respectively, emulates the relationship of Rigs and Murtaugh. Hell, they even made Wahlberg a crack-shot military hot-head, always ready to jump head-first into conflict.
The film is a fun action romp following two ousted lawmen as they try to clear their names. The wise-cracking team lay into each other with quips and jabs as they trade fire with the Mexican cartel, the C.I.A, and a gaggle of Navel officers. If you loved the original Lethal Weapon films, rent this one.
Wolverine and Storm
Did you know Wolverine and Storm were an item in the comics? Did you also know they were shacking up in Days of Future Past? This mutant power couple of weather witches and human weapons are not only dangerous, but also unable to be happy together. The on-again, off-again couple have found and left each other multiple times in the comics. The duo always seems to make their way back to one another, going so far as to run the Xavier School for the Gifted together.
Halle Berry has confirmed the Wolverine / Storm movie romance. If you haven’t seen the DoFP deleted scene, go ahead and click here. If you want to imagine Storm as a more seductive temptress, watch Swordfish and imagine Hugh Jackman is a nerdier Wolverine in that film.
Inspector Lee and Detective Carter – Rush Hour
A definite classic, Rush Hour paired two of the most opposite people together for great effect. Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan complement each other perfectly in the action comedies. Their unlikely partnership led to the duo becoming as close as brothers by the 3rd installment of the franchise. They shared each other’s homes, foods, dances, and proclivity for getting into trouble. They even got poor JC to drop the N-bomb in the first movie. Lucky for him, he can defend himself…
Questionable Entry – Cloak and Dagger
Here is the superhero team of Cloak and Dagger. Tyrone Johnson can tap into something called the Darkforce dimension, where he feeds off the light of those he traps there. Those exposed to his dark dimension tend to go insane. His light hunger can be satiated by Dagger’s light abilities, which also keep him corporeal. He is also able to see the fears of people he touches. Tandy Bowen, inversely, can generate light, heal folks, and see the hopes of those she touches. Hm.
I am a person who reads way too much into everything at all times. These two. Hm.
A black guy whose blackness can swallow people whole and drive them crazy. He needs his partner’s white light to literally hold him together, and he can see the fears of people he touches. Dagger can heal and see all the good in folks.
Yup. How many of those mental fears Ty sees include him in it?
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What’s your favorite Interracial team-up?
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